Projects
Risk of Microbial Corrosion due to Hydrogen Transportation
H2 Site Safety Systems
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.
Integrity Management of Hydrogen Pipelines
Existing defect assessments and repair methodologies designed for natural gas service are aligned with the T/PM/P/** and T/PM/P/** management procedures and are adopted to inspect assess and repair pipelines for defects and take suitable measures to mitigate them. However the scope and applicability of the assessment inspection and repair techniques in the presence of high-pressure hydrogen remain uncertain. The key questions which form an outline of the project are:
- What are the different types of defects we may encounter or consider injurious in the presence of hydrogen?
- What is the impact of hydrogen on each defect type? Have the mechanisms of failure changed for each defect type after hydrogen-natural gas blending?
- Will the existing repair techniques be applicable under transmission of high-pressure hydrogen and hydrogen-natural gas blends?
- Can we implement the defect assessment inspection and repair methodologies safely? Are the techniques safe and suitable for the pipeline operations and maintenance teams?
The project seeks to answer the above in addition to understanding the types and extent of repairs across the NTS and assess the impact of hydrogen on the effectiveness of these inspection assessment and mitigation technologies.
Application of Functional Blending - Testing a Market-led Approach
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 (
Rising Pressure Reformer Study
This project will assess the application of Rising Pressure Reformer (RiPR) technology to produce a tuneable blend of biogenic methane and hydrogen supporting the decarbonisation of gas networks. The project will focus on the how control of the gas produced would fit with requirements for network injection and assessing locations for connection.
Energy Plan Translator
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.
Energy Plan Translator
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.
Stopple-Live trial (Phase 2)
The Stopple technology is a flow stop tool essential for major projects and emergency works across the LTS and NTS gas network. Its capability was tested in 100% hydrogen within a helinite environment in line with LTS Futures parameters as phase 1. This project focuses on validating flow-stopping technology as an additional deliverable with LTS Futures live hydrogen trial on the Granton to Grangemouth pipeline as a welded tee and hot-tapping operations is already being carried out. The trial will confirm the Stopple train’s effectiveness as a double-block and bleed solution for a 100% hydrogen system which will be available for the UK Gas Network. The findings will provide critical insights into the safe and efficient operation of the hydrogen networks supporting the transition from natural gas to hydrogen.
Innovation Highway Phase 2
The Innovation Highway phase 2 project will utilise AI and machine-learning to optimise the full innovation value chain. The platform will develop a minimum commercial product to help facilitate collaboration amongst networks and other sectors such as water companies so they can innovate together. AI-empowered algorithms will simplify the identification mapping assessment and selection of problems and ideas reducing manual processing time and enhancing effective decision making; this will support identifying and prioritising projects that will deliver the highest benefits. The platform will also help networks automate the development of cost benefit analysis.
EPRG - European Pipeline Research Group 26.27
The European Pipeline Research Group (EPRG) undertakes a wide range of research directed towards the increasing integrity and safety of gas pipelines. Topics such as fit for purpose assessments pipeline rehabilitation & repair techniques and corrosion constitute the major areas of concern for existing pipelines. EPRG projects heavily focus on design and construction of new pipelines through researching materials that allow for increased operational pressures and reduced pipeline thickness while maintaining safety. EPRG are involved with defect assessment and fracture management where the create guidelines to assess the severity and risk of detected defects in pressurised gas pipelines. Conducting full scale material tests to understand crack propagation under cycling loading or harsh environments forms the basis for fracture and fatigue studies. Collaboration on international research programmes through industry bodies such as EPRG is essential to ensure we benefit from leveraged research. Continued participation in EPRG allows National Gas Transmission and Cadent Gas to develop a breadth and depth of knowledge that can only be realised through leveraged research programmes providing maximum cost effectiveness to the customer.
Quantum optimisation for future gas network design Alpha
This Project develops a quantum-inspired optimisation approach to improve outage planning in gas transmission networks. It addresses current limitations in exploring complex planning scenarios by enabling systematic evaluation of a much larger number of options. The Project will design and test a prototype using real data allowing planners to make faster more informed and robust decisions. The solution has potential to be applied across both gas and electricity networks supporting whole-system planning improving efficiency and reducing network and customer risk.
- Electricity Distribution
- Electricity Transmission
- Gas Distribution
- Gas Transmission
AI Opportunities for Consumer Centric Network Expansion Alpha
This project enhances National Gas’s strong engagement processes as infrastructure activity accelerates. Discovery highlighted a clear opportunity to improve efficiency clarity and inclusion as consultation volumes and technical complexity increase. Alpha will assess three AI supported and human-centred solutions: HYRA (accessible first contact triage) LUMA (clear localised technical explanations) and SYNCC (interpreting community input to support planning). From these one will be selected for detailed prototyping and controlled testing during alpha. The work directly supports RIIOGT3 priorities by fostering trust strengthening dialogue and enabling timely delivery of multi-molecule network upgrades nationwide while improving accessibility for communities across the country
- Electricity Distribution
- Electricity Transmission
- Gas Distribution
- Gas Transmission
Riser Data Intelligence
This project will develop a data-led understanding of all MOBs their characteristics and associated risks (e.g. riser failure likelihood building age/type) to accurately forecast the complexity duration and cost of replacement works. This will support SGN with effective planning and delivery of the Tier 1 Replacement Programme and optimise REPEX spend. The MOB data platform that this project aims to produce will allow SGN to assess the long-term viability of gas in older MOBs and proactively explore buy-outs or alternative energy solutions where it makes more sense than costly infrastructure replacement.
Quantum optimisation for future gas network design
This project is a first of its kind exploration into the applicability of quantum-inspired optimisation to improve and accelerate modelling of future gas transmission configurations and whole-systems planning. It will assess use cases where these techniques can enhance scenario coverage integrate multiple additional energy vectors address current computational limitations in modelling hydrogen and CO₂ networks and improve granularity of planning outputs. By engaging National Gas and supported by NESO the project will identify where quantum-inspired methods offer the greatest system-wide benefit culminating in a prioritised use case and roadmap for Alpha-phase development.
Gas transmission asset resilience through network transitions Discovery
As the energy system transitions away from unabated natural gas and parts of the gas network are either decommissioned or repurposed to support the UK’s net zero goals there is an increased risk of unintentional third-party damage to the network. Any supply interruptions to the transmission network would directly impact security of supply across the country and have a significant cost to customers including power generators industry and domestic users. This project will investigate the benefits of moving from expensive low frequency manual network inspections to innovative AI assisted surveillance technologies in combination with satellite imagery and drones.
Digital Decommissioning of Large-Scale Equipment
As the Gas Transmission network responds to a changing energy system from drivers including the transition to net zero and to changes in supply and demand we are required to decommission our large site based assets in certain locations. Decommissioning is a multifaceted endeavour that goes beyond the conclusion of an asset’s lifespan and encompasses a complex deconstruction process. This project will implement an innovative AI tool to help National Gas manage decommissioning to drive benefits such as increasing the accuracy of cost estimation ways to reduce carbon emissions identify re-use potential and lower the overall time taken to decommission.
Innovation Highways Phase 3
Following on from the success of phase 2 the Innovation Highway phase 3 project will develop Project Synthesis a new AI-enabled capability within the Ideaonomy Highway platform. Project Synthesis will surface compare and synthesise historical innovation-project evidence against current SGN and National Gas innovation problems and challenge statements.
The capability will ingest and normalise project evidence from the Smarter Networks Portal (SNP) and Future Energy Networks (FEN) portal including HTML and PDF sources such as closure reports Project Eligibility Assessments (PEAs) and Annual Progress Reports. It will provide evidence-linked AI summaries showing what has worked what failed what has been learned and what remains unresolved so that learnings and outputs of previous knowledge can be more easily accessible.
This phase will help the energy networks reduce duplication of innovation spend improve the quality and auditability of evidence underpinning new project proposals shorten the time from problem identification to a fundable project and increase confidence under RIIO-GD3 scrutiny.
Hydrogen Blending: Direct Injection Feasibility Study
This project has been initiated to assess the technical and commercial feasibility of direct hydrogen injection into the gas distribution network at 5% and 20% by volume. It supports the broader Market Frameworks appraisal by providing the evidence needed to evaluate whether both System Entry Models direct injection and pre-blending are feasible under varying network conditions.
The need for this study was identified through the Hydrogen Blending Implementation Plan which outlined two technical approaches for hydrogen connections: injecting hydrogen directly into the network or pre-blending it before entry each with distinct technical and commercial implications. While National Gas has assessed both models for the transmission network a gap analysis revealed that these findings are not directly transferable to the distribution network.
Evidence for pre-blending was previously completed as part of HyDeploy and the Hydrogen Blending Functional Specification project. It was shown that this approach provides more controlled mixing but may require more complex infrastructure leading to higher costs for the producer. Although it is assumed Direct Injection may be achievable at lower cost there are multiple key technical challenges associated with the technique such as the potential for inadequate hydrogen mixing which could result in non-compliant gas safety concerns including material integrity and operational constraints e.g. GSMR exclusion zones.
Through literature review CFD modelling engineering assessments and commercial analysis the study will evaluate the technical and safety performance risks and cost implications of direct injection across a range of scenarios and configurations.
Net Zero Multi-Vector Assessment
This project will help Cadent to understand considerations for a Net Zero Multi-Vector at a town scale to inform future activity on preparation for repurposing. An area will be chosen which is representative of different networks housing stock and demographics which will require different approaches and engagement.
Excess Flow Valve (EFV) Durability
This project will help to inform UK Gas Distribution Network Operators (GDNOs) and wider industry on the long-term suitability of existing Excess Flow Valve (EFV) designs in a future where hydrogen is being distributed in network pipelines. A risk to normal EFV functionality exists in the event that an ignition occurs within the downstream gas installation pipework and this project will help to understand the effectiveness of existing EFV designs to manage this risk identifying any necessary modifications to existing EFV designs where appropriate.