Projects

The initial Hydrogen in MOBs project established the foundational evidence for hydrogen conversion and this follow-on project will address remaining evidence gaps identified by the CFA finalising the safety and regulatory case for MOB hydrogen conversion and enabling a clear handover of outputs to industry. This work also doubles up as an assessment of options we have today to deliver practical and safe designs introducing a new range of risk mitigation options which could be more cost effective and efficient way of managing MOBs and pipe assets. As a practical assessment of technical requirements for conversion this closes out CFA recommendations through applied testing to solve engineering and safety challenges but also informs current processes.

Key deliverables include validated technical data an updated Quantified Risk Assessment (QRA) for MOBs an updated management procedure and a revised IGEM/G/5 Hydrogen Supplement to be formally handed over to IGEM for review. Together these outputs will close out the regulatory and procedural workstream associated with hydrogen in MOBs research.

The project’s findings will also directly support the development of a decision-making framework to support refurbishment and riser replacement programmes. This will enable the industry to make consistent evidence-based decisions on the most appropriate options for MOBs including where alternatives to hydrogen may be more suitable.

Wales & West Utilities (WWU) is undertaking a project to develop a thorough understanding of the technical and economic requirements for integrating hydrogen refuelling stations (HRS) into the existing gas network. The main aim is to enable the supply of ‘on-spec’ hydrogen for fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and hydrogen internal combustion engines (HICEs) from the heat-grade hydrogen currently delivered by the network. This involves analysing the types of contaminants present in grid hydrogen pinpointing the purification technologies needed and assessing the infrastructure requirements for compression chilling and storage to deliver hydrogen at the target pressures of 350 and 700 bar.

The Technical Blueprint Project forms a critical enabling phase of Cadent’s Hydrogen Blending Implementation Programme. Its purpose is to translate existing high level hydrogen blending evidence into a detailed network specific asset level and operationally deliverable blueprint that defines what is required for the gas network to safely and compliantly accommodate hydrogen blends of up to 20% by volume once regulatory approval is granted.

While previous industry projects have established that hydrogen blending is feasible in principle many technical operational and cost decisions remain at an asset process system and people level. These gaps currently prevent informed investment decisions and cannot be addressed through business‑as‑usual activity. This project addresses that gap by undertaking structured technical validation impact refinement and mitigation definition across Cadent’s network with a particular focus on the North West and East Midlands as pilot regions.

The project will coordinate specialist technical suppliers to validate prior hydrogen impact assessments against the most up‑to‑date safety evidence identify and close remaining evidence gaps and determine clear final mitigation positions for all affected assets and operational activities. Outputs will be consolidated into a single integrated technical blueprint providing a sequenced and costed set of actions required to achieve “blend readiness”. Areas confirmed as having no impact will also be explicitly documented to avoid unnecessary future intervention and cost.

The Technical Blueprint will provide Cadent and wider GB networks with a robust evidence‑based foundation to support future regulatory submissions funding reopeners and implementation planning. Learning generated will be transferable across gas distribution networks supporting a coordinated cost‑effective and safe transition toward hydrogen blending while reducing long‑term consumer risk and avoiding premature or inefficient investment.

This project constitutes a focused feasibility assessment of local biomethane market models with the objective of determining how decentralised commercial arrangements can enable increased participation from small-scale and community anaerobic digestion (AD) producers. The study will examine commercial structures regulatory considerations and stakeholder readiness associated with enabling localised trading of green gas through existing distribution networks. It will assess the interaction between market design connection approaches and consumer engagement to identify viable pathways for implementation and scale-up.

To reach our national net zero targets by 2050 we need to decarbonise approximately 25 million homes in England. Domestic heating accounts for approximately 14% of the UKs entire emissions and significant investment is required to improve the energy efficiency of our housing stock. In addition there are major challenges associated with domestic decarbonisation:

• England has the most diverse housing stock in the UK. with 35% built before the end of WWII.
• Sixty-four percent are owner-occupied and these homeowners need to have a good cost effective and efficient experience of home and heating upgrade as we move towards zero carbon homes.
• Implementing heating upgrades to this ageing housing stock requires a ‘whole house’ approach therefore consideration must be given to the building fabric and heating system.

Retrofitting existing homes with electric heating systems or deployment of green hydrogen boilers offer potential solutions however the intricacies of deployment and installation are complex further research and development is required to learn more about installation performance of various heating options. Doing so will inform future domestic decarbonisation strategies.

Augmented Reality (AR) technology will be used at Futures Close to convey and inform various audiences including vulnerable consumers about various property archetypes their construction heat loss and the type of retrofit solutions (heating systems controls fabric improvements) available to improve the level of domestic energy efficiency. AR will be used to inform educate and engage audiences on-site at Futures Close as well as off-site at conferences and meetings avoiding the need to facilitate multiple visits on site. Live data feeds will also be visualised illustrating room-by-room temperature humidity as well as other metrics providing an engaging interactive and informative asset for Futures Close.

Problem Digital exclusion remains a significant challenge across the UK preventing many individuals—particularly those in vulnerable circumstances—from accessing critical information and services. As energy networks increasingly rely on digital channels for communication those without internet access digital skills or confidence in using online tools face barriers in receiving important updates such as emergency notifications and service disruptions. Current communication strategies while effective for digitally engaged users fail to reach those who are excluded due to economic geographic or personal barriers. This project seeks to bridge this gap by rethinking communication strategies to ensure all consumers regardless of digital access receive the information they need in a timely and accessible manner. Project Aims & Key Objectives Building upon the learnings from the previous Digital Exclusion project (NIA_CAD0088) this project aims to develop new inclusive communication strategies that enhance engagement with digitally excluded individuals. The research project will determine what new approaches may be able to be adopted by energy networks to aid consumers who could otherwise be left vulnerable due to being digitally excluded. By adopting a human-centred approach the project will:

• Understand how digitally excluded individuals currently access information and navigate daily life.
• Identify barriers in existing energy network communication strategies.
• Co-design and test new approaches that improve information delivery and engagement for those excluded from digital channels.
• Provide recommendations for scalable long-term improvements in energy communication infrastructure. Project Outputs The project will deliver the following tangible outputs across the following stages:

Stage 0 – Outreach

• Identification of priority demographics which are most affected by digital exclusion.
• Engagement with several digital inclusion hubs to identify and introduce stakeholders to the project.

Project Plan – Rethinking Communication for Digital Exclusion

Stage 1 - Insight

• A comprehensive research report detailing the lived experiences of digitally excluded individuals.
• Analysis of existing communication strategies used by energy networks highlighting gaps and opportunities.

Stage 2 - Collaboration

• A series of co-design workshops engaging key stakeholders to generate and refine potential solutions.
• Prototype solutions tested in real-world settings with iterative refinement based on feedback.

Stage 3 - Impact

• A strategic roadmap for scaling successful solutions across the energy sector.
• A final report consolidating research insights prototype evaluations and recommended implementation strategies. Expected Benefits
• For digitally excluded consumers: More effective trusted and accessible communication methods ensuring they receive vital energy-related information.
• For energy networks: Improved customer engagement compliance with accessibility standards and enhanced reputation for supporting vulnerable groups.
• For wider stakeholders: Development of scalable best practices that can be applied beyond the energy sector to improve communication with digitally excluded populations. TRL
• Start TRL: 2 (Technology concept formulated)
• End TRL: 5 (Technology validated in a relevant environment)

Leveraging AI to drive the evolution of standards to optimise and enhance the safe operation of energy networks by automating the extraction of key technical evidence from an expanse of R&D documents for the purpose of engineering policymaking.

This project delivers an evidence-based assessment of resilient energy futures for NHS as the health service transitions toward its Net Zero target. The work combines national-level analysis with site-specific audits to develop replicable methodology for assessing healthcare estates provide NHS Boards and SGN with clear prioritised roadmaps for maintaining clinical resilience while reducing carbon emissions.

Scottish NHS sites are used as a case studies as it operates 14 territorial Health Boards with complex estates that currently depend on gas for heating hot water and essential clinical services. The project addresses a critical planning challenge faced by all gas networks: healthcare estates currently depend on gas for heating hot water and essential clinical services as electrification and alternative heating solutions are deployed unevenly there is significant uncertainty around how quickly gas demand will decline where it will remain critical and how network resilience can be maintained during the transition. Working with Energy Systems Catapult Jacobs and Aiming for Zero the project will deliver GIS mapping of priority sites site-level audits techno-economic modelling and Board-specific implementation roadmaps providing SGN NHS Scotland and other networks with the evidence base required for coordinated cost-effective decarbonisation planning.

National Gas Transmission are working to decarbonise the gas grid by transporting hydrogen rather than natural gas. Blending hydrogen with natural gas provides a stepping stone towards this goal fostering the hydrogen economy whilst also benefiting from up to 7% carbon savings from a respective 20% hydrogen blend.

The UK government supports blending up to 20% hydrogen by volume into the gas distribution networks and there are ongoing trials and assessments into proving the safety and technical feasibility of hydrogen blending across all networks and pressure tiers in the UK. It is anticipated that initially a low percentage hydrogen blend will be accepted onto the National Transmission System with this potentially increasing up to 20% hydrogen blends being accepted. This is largely due to few modifications being required to accommodate low hydrogen blend percentages on the NTS.

Additionally NTS level hydrogen blending is likely to develop in phases of hydrogen blend percentage entering the network due to the hydrogen supply in the UK developing gradually over time. 2% hydrogen on the NTS equates to approximately 5TWh of hydrogen production therefore increasing this percentage will require time.

Variability in the gas blends of the network is likely due to the production of hydrogen gradually increasing over time and injection of that hydrogen being geographically spread across the network. There is also potential that hydrogen supply can vary based on factors such as production methods direct demand off takers and availability. Therefore it is important to understand the implications of blended hydrogen and natural gas at variable levels between 0-5% hydrogen and 0-20% hydrogen blend.

Hydrogen blend variability encompasses a range of factors that need to be carefully managed to ensure a successful transition to a hydrogen-integrated energy system. Understanding the impact to stakeholders such as current customers and interconnecting countries will be crucial to successfully transitioning to a blended network and identifying ways to mitigate any risks and make sure National Gas are aligned to support our stakeholders needs where possible. There is also a need to evidence the impacts and any associated changes to risks from a whole system management perspective and to research the impact of blend variability on compressor train machinery assets.

This project proposes a structured approach to assess the integrity of AGI pipework for hydrogen service. It includes development of a screening tool based on representative AGI archetypes execution of ECAs to define flaw tolerances and inspection intervals and evaluation of NDT capabilities with respect to desired AGI performances. The project also reviews integrity management software to support increased digitalisation and monitors emerging technologies for hydrogen-related NDT developments.

National Gas Transmission (NGT) owns and operates the UK’s extensive National Transmission System (NTS) which spans over 7600 kilometres and plays a vital role in delivering energy security and supporting decarbonisation initiatives. NGT has made a commitment to develop plans to transition some of the NTS to blended hydrogen operation as part of the Government’s Net Zero targets. A programme called Project Union is being developed to spearhead the NTS conversion strategy as part of the decarbonisation effort. This will further aid the net-zero target by eliminating emissions generated from managing and operating the transmission system. The Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs) and NGT have been making strides in the last decade through research physical testing etc to qualify hydrogen as a fuel within the NTS.

Hydrogen is a promising alternative fuel due to its potential to significantly reduce greenhouse emissions; however its properties present unique safety challenges. It has a much lower ignition energy (0.016mJ) when compared to Natural Gas making it more susceptible to ignition from a variety of sources along with much more devastating effects if ignition occurs.

An area of consideration for safe hydrogen operation is the ignition risk of hydrogen. This risk will span daily operations maintenance tasks compression and transport etc. Ignition risk needs to be meticulously investigated to ensure National Gas are aware of all the possible ignition mechanisms sources likelihood safeguards and mitigations etc. to ensure safe utilisation of hydrogen on the network.

This work will provide a comprehensive understanding of hydrogen ignition risks on the network with safeguards and mitigations to bring the risk of ignition into the ‘Tolerable if ALARP’ or ‘Broadly Acceptable’ levels.

As part of the National Gas Network Performance Twin program this project is designed to demonstrate a scalable digital twin platform focused on improving infrastructure resilience supporting hydrogen integration and addressing climate adaptation across the National Transmission System (NTS). This initiative integrates three strategic components: Collaborative Visual Data Twin (CVDT) – a 3D BIM-based digital twin platform that visualises and monitors asset performance in real time. HyNTS Dataset Automation – a structured automated geodatabase that supports hydrogen readiness assessments and asset integrity modelling. Flood Twin – a predictive flood simulation model that enables scenario-based risk analysis and resilience planning for Above Ground Installations (AGIs).

In metering applications Equations of State (EoS) are mathematical models that are used to convert measured volumes to standard units. This enables transfer from volume to mass allowing customers to be billed and for the networked to be balanced in energy. Metering and network balancing cannot be performed in volume as it doesn’t account for relative varying gas component concentrations – and therefore CV.

The EoS currently used (AGA8) is acceptable for up to 5% hydrogen but after this point it’s uncertainty is unknown – meaning the network may be unable to maintain accurate billing or system balancing. This project will obtain experimental data for a range of net zero gases and compare the output of several EoS for accuracy against real measured NTS-representative conditions.

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

To support the UK achieving net zero by 2050 there is a need to decarbonise the current gas networks of transmission and distribution levels. The conversion of the NTS into a hydrogen transmission network has been widely discussed and extensive work is underway to prove the technical capability and commercial viability of a 100% hydrogen network. There is also additional work to support the governments clean power targets and a three-molecule approach has been adopted within National Gas to consider (bio)methane hydrogen (including hydrogen blends) and carbon dioxide.

The gas networks need to be prepared to operate and safely manage the transportation of all three molecules especially with the ambition to develop a 100% hydrogen network in the future upskilling and training the current workforce and the workforce of the future is a fundamental step to ensuring the facilitation of the energy transition.

Identifying the skills and competencies required both during the transition and after the transition to maintain the future systems was discovered in the Skills and Competencies NIA that closed in Q4 2023. A competency framework was developed that will provide a baseline for the training and resourcing strategy proposed for operational and technical skills and competency requirements for current and future workforces.

The project produced a comprehensive plan to identify the known gaps and to provide a roadmap for key developments of standards and policies which will drive the training and competency needs. Furthermore it identified potential training facilities to support the development of the plan and ultimately facilitate rollout. The project also enabled a large-scale training and competency programme to be developed alongside the relevant technical standards and policies in readiness for deployment to the relevant engineers.

National Gas would therefore like to understand how AI tools can be used to accurately and efficiently produce training materials and create a more effective personalised training experience.

This project investigates how hydrogen affects the integrity of welded joints (seam welds and girth welds) in the UK National Transmission System (NTS) pipelines as part of plans to repurpose existing natural gas infrastructure for hydrogen transport.

Specifically Work Package 4 integrates results from metallurgical characterisation historical weld procedures and fracture toughness testing conducted in high-pressure hydrogen. The study examines pipeline steels of different grades and vintages (including X46 X52 X60 X65 and X80) focusing on weld metal and heat-affected zones (HAZ) which are known to be the most vulnerable regions.

The report combines:

• Detailed metallography and hardness mapping of real NTS welds
• Post-test fractographic analysis of specimens tested in hydrogen
• Interpretation of fracture toughness data
• An overall assessment of risks and uncertainties associated with hydrogen service
• Recommendations to support safe decision-making for hydrogen repurposing.

High pressure steel pipelines are essential in enabling a safe natural gas transportation network an overly engineered solution tried and tested over several decades proving the NTS to be a robust nationwide asset. The National Transmission System is used to flow gas every day to keep the lights on and our homes heated by connecting large scale industry cities and towns where the network is dynamic allowing for flexibility and adaptability to various flow demand scenarios. This is done so by utilising over 5000 miles of varying grades and differing sizes of pipelines where the gas can flow build line pack for high energy demand areas and provide a mass energy storage solution.

The NTS is used to limit gas loss manage flow direction facilitate maintenance repair modification testing and commissioning to enable safe and effective start-up and shutdown of our pipelines. We now must further evidence pipeline steel material integrity when subjected to high pressure hydrogen gas this can be done by expanding upon the existing fatigue rig standalone testing at DNV Spadeadam.

Although some pipelines materials that we use today have seen blends and 100% hydrogen within the HYNTS Phase 1 test facility what we have not done is post hydrogen fatigue cycling non destructive testing of materials that have been subject to prolonged high pressure hydrogen. One of the welds that make up the fatigue rig has a known weld defect within it NGT aims to have the welds and the weld defect analysed through various methods of testing such as magnetic particle inspection followed by if necessary standard ultrasonic testing.

In 2022 small scale mechanical characteristic tests were conducted to characterise the mechanical properties of the materials used within the construction of the fatigue rig this testing commenced outputting a standard mechanical property data set the new end of test data post hydrogen exposure will be compared to the original data set from 2022 at the end of fatigue cycling. Testing will establish the effect of trapped hydrogen on ‘standard’ mechanical properties measured To facilitate this DNV will remove all girth welds selected seam welds and fitting welds and store them at low temperature to mitigate loss of hydrogen from within the trap sites..

A technical note will be prepared comparing the results of the weld inspections (internal and external inspections). The note will be used to confirm defect removal for metallographic examination.

A technical report will be prepared summarising the macro and microscopic examinations undertaken confirming defect size (to that reported by UT) and whether the defect was an original feature else created due to the pressure cycle duty of the test vessel and the hydrogen environment.

The project described in this FEN report covers the development of a new repurposing process for NTS assets to transport gaseous phase carbon dioxide. The approach for repurposing the National Gas Transmission System (NTS) to transport carbon dioxide will need an innovative approach to meet the timelines for the net zero transition. There have been several projects undertaken to date to determine the interactions of carbon dioxide with the network assets. We are looking to determine if these activities are providing all the relevant data and evidence required for our network to transition.

As part of National Gas’s Three Molecule strategy the technical evidence for the transportation of hydrogen and carbon dioxide through the National Transmission system is being gathered through the HyNTS and CO₂ programmes. This technical evidence will feed into the updates of NGT’s suite of policies and procedures which are used to demonstrate compliance with the Gas Safety (Management) Regulations (GSMR) Pipeline Safety Regulations (PSR) and Pressure System Safety Regulations (PSSR).

This project will develop the approaches to compliance with regulations for hydrogen hydrogen blends and CO₂ considering both new build and repurposed assets. The project will also define how the NTS Safety Case of the future will look including modular design and digitalisation to streamline access to information.

Through consultation with the biomethane industry National Gas are looking to offer a cost effective repeatable and simplified Minimum Connection arrangement at greenfield locations with low visual impact by locating the network isolation valves in a pit. Thus avoiding a traditional larger Above Ground Installation with perimeter security fence and internal vehicle access and potential local authority planning permission.

The use of pits to house valves on National Gas AGI’s has historically created operational and maintenance issues such as pipe pit wall transition corrosion pit flooding and access restrictions.

However through consultation with NG Chief Engineer a decision support paper was submitted and approved allowing the development of a valve pit arrangement to align with requests from the biomethane industry and address historic issues.

Following this decision conceptual designs were completed for minimum connections at Oulton Airfield and Manby projects in 2024. These designs included a concept design of a MOC valve arrangement in a pit.

National Gas Transmission (NGT) are committed to reducing emissions from the operation of the National Transmission System (NTS) and eliminating emissions by 2050. The transition to hydrogen provides an opportunity to reduce carbon and utilise the network for hydrogen refuelling for transport. The HyNTS Deblending for Hydrogen Transport project has involved the development of a UK-wide rollout strategy from ERM that lays out demand clustering and potential locations for deblending supplied refuelling for transportation mapped against the NTS.

The project will aims to obtain further information on NRMM maritime cars LGVs and mobile power to fully understand the hydrogen demand. It will also review the existing rollout strategy to ensure it is accurate and full captures the current hydrogen market given the changes in this landscape

Develop credible and independently modelled pathways to test the economic case of developing a H₂ Backbone and prepare NGT for dialogue with NESO DESNZ HMT and a wider group of stakeholders.

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.