Projects
INNOVATIVE MONITORING AND CONTROL OF PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION
Cadent proposes to trial “Digital Inspector” (DI) an innovative platform that enhances real-time control inspection and recording of pipeline construction activities. Digital Inspector provides verifiable evidence of weld quality supervises critical parameters live during construction and generates a complete digital record for asset integrity.
This project will trial Digital Inspector across multiple Cadent construction projects in 2025/26 working closely with Cadent’s contractors to assess practical usability contractor acceptance and the impact on existing BAU processes.
Maximising Capacity at Biomethane Sites
This project will develop network and/or entry site solutions that will enable biomethane supply to meet the swings in demand through the year.
Asset Cortex – Generative AI for asset hierarchy
The Asset Cortex project is a Generative AI initiative by National Gas Transmission (NGT) aimed at transforming its legacy 4-level asset hierarchy into a deeper ISO 14224-compliant structure. This Proof of Concept (PoC) will explore the feasibility of using AI to infer component-level details from system-level data such as pressure and age enabling automated hierarchy generation. The project supports RIIO-GT3 objectives including predictive maintenance digital twin creation and improved asset lifecycle visibility. It will also enhance integration with systems like SAP and Copperleaf and streamline field force operations. Key phases include requirements capture data mapping AI model development benchmarking against manually collected data and final reporting. Grasby Bottom and Hatton Multi Junction sites will serve as testbeds. The project is expected to reduce manual effort improve scalability and lay the foundation for broader digital transformation. It will also inform IT infrastructure needs and data governance strategies. While the current phase focuses on feasibility successful validation could lead to full-scale deployment supporting NGT’s strategic goals around automation cost efficiency and sustainability. Asset Cortex is positioned as a foundational enabler for future infrastructure planning and operational excellence across the gas network.
H100 Barhole Trials for Hydrogen Network Operations
This project will focus on barholing operations conducted after an emergency gas escape within the H100 Fife Distribution Network Operations. The scope will consider H100 scenarios specifically the establishment of a new distribution network to deliver Hydrogen to selected properties in the conversion area. The minimum pressure for the H100 Fife Distribution network is 27 mbar and the maximum pressure is 75 mbar. The aim of this project is to provide further evidence to support SGN operations on the H100 distribution network during emergencies and any future trials or broader rollouts of Hydrogen.
Steer Energy has been identified as a suitable contractor for executing this project due to their extensive expertise in this field and their previous work on the Barhole Trials and ITL Haldane Drill Isolator project. Steer has a proven partnership with SGN and the wider gas industry offering a variety of services including experimental lab testing training and testing facilities.
Reducing Green Gas Costs Through BioCO2 Sequestration
The work will develop a pathway for the biomethane sector to monetise CO2 and identify the role the gas networks can play reducing the long-term cost of gas decarbonisation.
Hydrogen Permeation through the Oxide Layer - Phase 2
This project aims to address major gaps identified in NIA2_SGN0078 which conducted a thorough literature review of the international scientific and industry knowledge base. The work will focus on characterising the hydrogen permeability rate of API Grades X52 and X60 vintage pipelines and welds by analysing the microstructure of each sample investigating the impact of internal corrosion layers and conducting mechanical testing post-exposure.
A correlation exercise will also be conducted to equate gaseous charging with electrochemical charging. The outcome of this work targets an improved industry best-practice for permeation and fracture toughness tests providing a validated benchmark framework with the potential to inform future updates of industry standards and procedures and saving costs on any future material and permeation testing work.
Development of Technical Readiness for Large Diameter Ball Valves
In order to construct commission and operate new hydrogen pipelines and installations safely and as part of modifications to existing assets for repurposing ball valves are required to carry out isolations. Selected ball valves need to have been proven to be suitable for service in large diameter high pressure hydrogen networks.
This project will carry out performance validation testing on a 32″ ball valve to confirm suitability to operate in high pressure hydrogen networks.
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.
The Role of Gas Distribution Networks in Power Generation
This project will assess the current and future role of gas distribution networks (GDNs) in supporting dispatchable electricity generation within a decarbonising UK energy system. It will identify method(s) for GDN operators to obtain accurate gas usage data from existing generation connections and develop future scenarios to inform network planning and investment.
Clean Power Flexibility Investigation
Clean Power 2030 (CP2030) aims for a fully decarbonised electricity system using unabated gas only as backup. This introduces an important challenge: how can the gas transmission network remain viable and deliver flexibility during extreme demand events despite not being utilised most of the time? This project aims to understand how to sustain the gas network technically and economically in a low average high peak demand future focusing on the interaction between gas and electricity systems.
Gas Transmission Data Sharing Infrastructure
This project will entail a feasibility study to assess the viability of developing a secure scalable and interoperable data sharing infrastructure for National Gas Transmission (NGT) supporting regulatory compliance stakeholder access and alignment with NESO’s DSI initiative. The main objective is to gain a better understanding of how we share data currently and how this will change moving forward both within established participants and enabling new participants and stakeholders to benefit from National Gas’s data. This will support the wider NESO led DSI initiative. Using two NGT data systems as a use case for this study
GGT- Novel Green Gases
Novel green molecules have the potential to make a significant contribution to the decarbonisation of the UK’s gas network while also reducing system costs. Synthetic and e-methane can play a significant role in meeting future industrial demand as well as decarbonising the power transport and domestic heat sectors. This project investigates novel green gases in more depth to understand how they can be implemented effectively and quickly deployed to decarbonise the gas sector in the UK.
Green Gas Access
Green Gas Access will define tools to improve how green gas is managed across UK distribution networks supporting net-zero goals. With fossil fuels still expected to dominate the energy mix by 2050 we must ensure resilient supply and avoid capacity loss as we integrate decentralised sources like biomethane. The solution is to enable real-time network operation including dynamic supply modelling scenario planning and technology deployment. Key outcomes include: improved green gas injection control better asset use onboarding new suppliers efficiently and supporting the transition to low-carbon systems through coordinated green gas storage and power-to-gas operation.
The Warmth of Community
This project will conduct market research on available or soon to be available hybrid products for discussion and presentation back to WWU and WW Housing to choose a preferred solution for the properties identified that are suitable to trial the equipment in. The project will provide networks with demand data and look to aggregate this over WW Housing stock to understand wider impact on gas networks if this was considered a viable option to decarbonise housing stock.
IGEM TD1 / TD13 Hydrogen Supplements Review
IGEM have received requests from operators to update the hydrogen TD1 / TD13 supplements to take account of outputs from research projects. The project will review and assess the updates required based on findings from completed hydrogen research projects. This will support the repurposing of existing pipelines and installations from Natural Gas to hydrogen and Natural Gas/hydrogen blends with input and support from users/stakeholders and formal approval by IGEM.
The project will also develop a methodology for fracture and fatigue assessments for existing Natural Gas pipelines to be repurposed to hydrogen service. This methodology will assess the impact of blends of hydrogen up to and including 100% hydrogen to determine whether pipeline derating and/or deblending is required. The requirements for the application of this specification should be included in the updates to the IGEM/TD/1 and IGEM/TD/13 hydrogen supplements.
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.
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.
Hydrogen Permeation through the Oxide Layer Phase 1
This project is looking to address uncertainties surrounding LTS pipeline materials by investigating the effect of the oxide layer on hydrogen permeation rate for steel pipelines. This project will also investigate the formation of an oxide layer inside the pipe at different temperatures as well as how the microstructure of the pipeline steel and condition of the oxide layer affect permeation for different grades of steel. It is critical this relation is better understood as these uncertainties are currently hindering our ability to fully and accurately assess the repurposing of the LTS. The outcomes of this project have the potential to increase cost-savings and improve confidence in the existing network to carry hydrogen including blends.
Open Maps
This project has enormous potential to benefit all customers in vulnerable situations as it will provide accurate assessment of communities and all interested parties to provide suitable support to the area. This will enable GDN DNO Electricity transmission and Gas transmission partners such as community groups to specifically target areas with relevant support this will allow project partners to accurately provide information which will be bespoke to the specific needs of the area such as Carbon Monoxide awareness Priority Services Register messaging increasing awareness and registrations.
It will allow GDN’s or other service providers to enlist support for VCMA BAU or NIA projects directly addressing the needs of communities rather than adopting a broad-brush approach which has been the traditional approach. This system will present itself as the very foundation for future years projects and investments specifically as we progress through the energy system transition which will help address the very real and ever-changing needs of communities and vulnerable customers groups by putting data at the front and centre of future decision making for GDN’s and partners.
Enhancement of the anaerobic digestion process for biomethane production
The UK Government recognised that domestic biomethane production can play a significant role in decarbonising energy supplies. However biomethane production plants face technical and operational challenges. Currently the content of biomethane within biogas produced from the anaerobic digestion (AD) process is often only around 50%. This partial conversion results in lower yields for AD operators and an increase in costly gas scrubbing requirements. The increased presence of impurity gases also increases requirement for propanation to increase the calorific value high in both cost and carbon footprint.
This project seeks to address these challenges through the injection of green hydrogen into the AD process in specific quantities and at specific times to achieve greater conversion of carbon dioxide to biomethane within the acetogenesis stage of the AD process thereby increasing the yield whilst reducing the need for gas scrubbing and propanation.