Projects

The Unaccounted-for Gas (UAG) project aims to develop a predictive tool that identifies and quantifies UAG across the National Transmission System (NTS). Leveraging 12-18 months of SCADA data the tool will simulate gas flow and metering behaviour to pinpoint anomalies and reduce losses. UAG currently represents significant financial cost to the consumer; even a 1% reduction could yield practical savings. The project aligns with RIIO-2 NIA criteria and supports regulatory compliance under the Gas Transporter Licence Part J of Special Condition 5.6 (System operator external incentives revenues and costs) requiring National Gas to undertake work to investigate the causes of UAG. It builds on prior research and integrates learnings from international benchmarks. The initiative will enhance operational efficiency improve data transparency and support long-term decarbonisation goals through better system visibility and control.

Phase 1 of the project compiled a list of oils and greases considered to be gas-facing on the NTS along with identifying functional and material property requirements of these products. Proposed standards and testing methodologies were also outlined to inform the next phase of the project. In Phase 2 the project will proceed with additional required activities to ensure the safe utilisation of NTS oils/greases in a hydrogen pressurised environment. These activities include laboratory testing for lubricants and functional testing for sealants to assess degradation and performance of these products in hydrogen. Subsequently requirements for in-service monitoring will be identified.

The Phase 3 project on gas inhibitors for hydrogen pipelines aims to translate lab-scale findings into practical applications for the UK’s National Transmission System. It focuses on validating the effectiveness of oxygen and alternative inhibitors in mitigating hydrogen embrittlement addressing unresolved safety and integrity concerns from previous phases and designing a plan for safe integration into existing infrastructure. The project includes physical demonstration planning and network design to assess technology implementation.

Development of an artificial intelligence powered application for the purpose of modelling and optimising equipment maintenance policy according to asset reliability predicted performance and the defined desirable maintenance strategy. With projects to transport 100% Hydrogen in industrial settings gaining increasing traction this project will serve as a pilot to implement smarter more intelligent ways of maintaining these assets to increase reliability reduce operational costs and ultimately prove the credibility of hydrogen as an alternative energy source.

This project will examine the suitability of existing Fire and Gas (F&G) detection and suppression systems for use with hydrogen blends of up to 20%. These systems comprise: fire detection fire suppression gas detection and associated control systems. They are found in compressor cabs and at network terminals.

Through CFD modelling three representative F&G systems will be individually assessed for compatibility with blends and will then be used as examples to make comments on the suitability of other F&G systems on the network. Where assets or control systems are not suitable this project will not design a new system but recommend where changes should be made and demonstrate how those changes safely manage risk – including cost estimation for upgrade or retrofit.

Wales & West Utilities has developed a Regional Decarbonisation Pathway to provide an overarching strategic plan for the network in Wales and the South West of England. To deliver that pathway more detailed assessment and planning is required to facilitate the progression of opportunities in particular areas.

In 2023 WWU supported Cadent as the lead partner in the development and delivery of a Functional Blending Specification (FBS) which has progressed the technical understanding of how blending equipment can be practically applied within the context of existing gas network assets (https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA_CAD0079/). In 2023 UK Government affirmed their support for network blending whilst networks have continued to develop evidence in support of blending since (Hydrogen blending in GB distribution networks: strategic decision - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)).

Develop a flexible and adaptable toolset for the rapid analysis of Local Area Energy Plans (LAEPs). This will convert qualitative statements to quantified metrics and identify key network specific planning parameters.

Digital exclusion remains a significant and persistent challenge across the UK with approximately 10 million people unable to access online services due to a lack of internet connectivity digital skills or confidence. In rural and remote communities this challenge is compounded by poor infrastructure and geographic isolation. For households already identified as vulnerable the inability to receive timely communications from energy networks can have serious consequences.

Energy networks currently rely on a standard set of channels to communicate critical information such as planned outages safety alerts and emergency notifications. Letters go unread door-knocking is costly and slow SMS messages are widely distrusted and digital channels by definition exclude the very households that need the most support. No single channel reliably reaches digitally excluded consumers at speed. This gap represents both a safeguarding risk for customers and a significant compliance and reputational challenge for networks operating under Ofgem’s consumer vulnerability obligations.

This project proposes a fundamentally new approach: the Message Beacon is a low-cost physical internet-free device distributed to households to alert customers that an important energy network message is available to be read. The notification signal is received via Bluetooth or Near Field Communication (NFC) from a nearby mobile asset (such as a van field engineer or bin lorry) and is represented on the Message Beacon using a flashing LED. The customer taps the Message Beacon with an NFC-enabled smart device to display the energy network message. No internet connection is required in the home and no digital literacy is assumed. The Message Beacon brings the message to the person rather than expecting the person to come to the channel.

This project aims to take the Message Beacon concept that was established and prototyped in Phase 1 into a real-world pilot. Initial pilot devices will deliberately use household WiFi and mains power in place of the target transmission and power architecture. This isolates the household interaction layer for evaluation so findings are attributable to human factors rather than transmission reliability.

Phase 2 will deliver the following key outputs:

• Full Message Beacon MVP: hardware scaled to pilot quantity (minimum of 30 units) front-of-house and back-of-house software complete end-to-end system tested before deployment.
• Real-World Pilot Evaluation Report: reach rates time-to-tap and engagement by household type; qualitative findings on comprehension and behaviour change; baseline comparison against existing methods.
• Infrastructure Research Report: a desk-based technical assessment of candidate transmission pathways including DCC and smart meter capability BLE mesh LoRa 2G/3G switch-off implications and mobile assets with an indicative direction on each and a stated assessment of the development distance to manufacture. Pathway prototypes where produced are standalone and not integrated with the live Message Beacon system.
• Standalone Rollout Model and Decision Presentation: final presentation including unit economics installation process household targeting and message governance; infrastructure options paper; decision presentation to all participating networks.

Technology Readiness Level (TRL)

• Start TRL: 4 (Technology validated in laboratory environment)

  The core system architecture has been designed and validated experimental hardware has been built and tested and both the front-of-house and back-of-house interfaces have been prototyped and tested with real users in controlled settings.

• End TRL: 6 (Technology demonstrated in a relevant end-to-end environment)

  By the end of Phase 2 the full end-to-end prototype system will have been demonstrated in a live pilot with approximately 25 individual households.

Being able to repurpose transmission assets for use with hydrogen and hydrogen blends can create a reliable and affordable option for decarbonising the UK and achieving Net Zero by 2050. A reliable and affordable energy system is needed to create “a fair affordable and inclusive transition to low carbon energy” (OFGEM) for all consumers (vulnerable or otherwise).

ISCC is potentially a major risk to the integrity of high-pressure pipelines repurposed for hydrogen blends. A means of assessing the risk is required as part of a pipeline integrity management system. This project aims to develop a clear risk assessment methodology which updates and enhances the methodology under NIA_NGGD0008. The methodology will then be deployed and tested across the Cadent LTS pipeline network with physical inspections being carried out on locations with high risk of ISCC.

Working in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University this research project will aim to identify via a Proof-of-Concept model a new biomarker for Carbon Monoxide (CO) exposure that is sensitive to lower exposures persists in biofluids for longer than Carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) and can be measured using a Lateral Flow Test (LFT). Alongside this research the project will also carry out engagement with local communities in an information campaign and determine their attitude to a LFT for CO exposure.