Projects

NGN currently operate a Lotus Notes application with a bespoke electronic Logbook system to capture all of the activity with day and planned ahead that occurs within our gas control centre. This system has been in operation since 1997 and has proven to be a highly reliable and flexible tool to manage planned works faults general site activity and wider issues.

The current technology is outdated and contains years’ worth of data causing it to be slow. There are no links between Lotus notes and other vital control room applications (SCADA etc.). Raising faults becomes a tedious task and the Logbook and other in-apps are not user friendly. There are no updates available to improve the existing system.

The current system needs to be replaced but to achieve that we need a full exploration of where technology can deliver to our requirements and to fully explore the impact of net zero and what new functionality may be required to manage the transition to net zero.

This is an early stage feasibility project to understand all of the challenges opportunities and risks that UK GDNs face with their systems in order to help facilitate the transition to net zero energy systems.

To maintain their above ground and underground pipework assets all Gas Distribution Networks (GDN) operate substantial fleets of commercial vehicles (primarily vans but also HGVs) together with mobile plant and powered equipment. Presently there is a complete reliance on hydrocarbon fuels primarily diesel and petrol. Both fuel types are usually sourced via the public retail forecourt network. Similar issues exist for other utility providers that operate underground and overground infrastructure.

Wales & West Utilities is undertaking a major programme of change to support decarbonisation and deliver a hydrogen-ready Net Zero gas network. Our distribution network iron mains replacement programme (Repex) requires significant excavation and pipe replacement activity laying long-life hydrogen-ready polyethylene pipe by a variety of means.

The project endeavours to identify a suite of suitable zero-emission mobile plant assets tools and equipment for carrying out Repex work that WWU could hire or purchase for operational trials and to identify opportunities for changing equipment items to simplify recharging/refuelling requirements in the future.

The objectives of this project are:

1. To analyse current energy demands sound pressure and vibration levels associated with existing ICE powered mobile plant assets ICE-powered tools and equipment and electrical equipment used for carrying out planned iron mains replacement work on the gas distribution network.
2. To estimate the future electrical energy demands (and sound pressure and vibration levels) placed by future zero-emission powered tools and equipment on a zero-emission site-based power generation facility.
3. To identify opportunities for changing equipment items to simplify recharging/refuelling requirements in future.
4. To identify a suite of suitable zero-emission mobile plant assets tools and equipment that WWU could hire (or purchase) and utilise for operational trials short and longer term. This will include the energy source and the means of recharging and/or refuelling on site and/or at regional depot locations.

To achieve decarbonisation targets all gas network operators in the UK need to demonstrate that the gas network can safely technically and economically facilitate the distribution of low-carbon gases (biomethane and hydrogen). In response to this challenge SGN aim to review the feasibility of the formation of biomethane islands in their Scotland area of operation. The outputs of this project will establish a business model for the optimisation of biomethane injection and formation of biomethane islands across the UK’s gas network. A feasibility study will address key areas including regulatory technical environmental social and commercial aspects as well as comprehensively assess the viability of developing Biomethane Islands. The outcome of the feasibility study will be to inform decision-making regarding project implementation. This will be captured and delivered in a comprehensive report and financial model of the business case. These islands will serve as models for sustainable living demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of a circular economy approach to energy production and waste management and offer a low disruption option for the decarbonisation of all classes of gas consumers - Industrial Commercial and Domestic.

To ensure ongoing safety compliance and operational efficiency WWU uses in-line inspection tools (commonly known as PIGs) to monitor the internal condition of these pipelines. These tools are critical for detecting corrosion cracking deformation and other defects.

A significant challenge within the existing P18 pipeline network is the uncertainty surrounding weld integrity. For many legacy sections the original inspection records are incomplete or unavailable; without reliable weld data it is difficult to determine whether these joints remain structurally sound or if deterioration may be developing below detection thresholds.

The project endeavours to determine whether advanced sensing can effectively assess the condition of target pipeline welding and other features defects or degradation and whether advanced sensors can be applied to existing or new PIGs to perform the weld inspection required.

The technology will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the condition of the existing network and its overall integrity and longevity beyond what is achievable through current testing methods. This enhanced insight will enable Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs) to reclassify pipelines where appropriate thereby avoiding significant capital expenditure associated with uncovering welds of unknown quality during capital projects or damage assessments. Furthermore as reliance on natural gas declines this capability will enable the repurposing of existing assets rather than leaving them redundant or decommissioned.

This project aims to develop a means of forecasting gas quality at the NTS offtakes which will support current arrangements for target Calorific Value (CV) setting allowing networks to more accurately provide target CVs to biomethane producers and reducing sudden changes in targets sent to biomethane sites which can cause operational problems. Going forward gas quality information on CV and potentially Wobbe will also assist the GDNs in managing hydrogen blend.

This project will consider what role the below ground gas network (new or repurposed) could play in transporting energy over long distances instead of electricity transmission and distribution upgrades. The project will help WWU understand how the use of the current or future gas system would compare to electricity infrastructure for long distance transmission and what factors could influence cross system decision making. The project will also create a comparison tool that allows users to compare case studies.

Decarbonisation of UK transport and the related Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate requires companies to transition their commercial vehicle fleets to Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) or alternative new emerging technologies (e.g. FCEC). As an operational utility network with responsibility for public safety WWU’s fleet undergoes a more challenging and varied range of duty cycles than most commercial fleets includes vehicles that are required to provide on-site power and must be capable of meeting WWU’s statutory duty to respond quickly to Public Reported Escapes.

Within this challenging operational context WWU must deliver a fleet transition at the lowest feasible cost to assure value for money for our customers. This is further complicated by the need to plan the fleet transition while the associated technological and policy landscape continues to evolve in parallel. Although the learnings generated from the project will be specific to WWU’s fleet as a case study they will be applicable to any networks with an operational fleet.

To assure a cost-effective transition and derisk future operations WWU require a Total Cost of Operation (TCO) model. This will be specifically targeted at our particular operational context capable of assessing the costs and capabilities of a range of ZEV options and crucially must be easy for staff to adopt for internal use and update in the future as new data and/or technologies become available.

The purpose of this project is to provide WWU with a TCO model that addresses our specific operational requirements ensuring that plans and investment decisions will be grounded in real-world technology assessments and our operational fleet data.

This project will explore the feasibility of integrating hydrogen train refuelling infrastructure to support the development of a hydrogen rail network. This has particular relevance to our network as some of the UK’s hardest to electrify rail routes are situated in Wales and South West England. The project will focus on these hard to electrify routes exploring H2’s potential role in enabling their decarbonisation. If successful this project can help the WWU network to become a proving ground for real-world delivery of impactful H2 rail technology. It is expected to provide information which can be used in planning strategic hydrogen pipeline routes and network repurposing plans and support regional energy planning.

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.

The consultant will deliver a report with supporting data to demonstrate that the economics stack up for biomethane while also supporting the UK’s net zero ambitions and contributing to our energy security.