Projects

Renewable Energy Harvest unlocks the untapped power of Britain’s countryside by turning farm food and forestry residues into clean flexible green gas. By combining biomethane and syngas production with advanced mapping and forecasting tools the project will identify where rural resources can best connect into the gas network. This innovation supports a fair low-carbon transition - cutting emissions reducing costs and keeping energy value in local communities. Backed by Northern Gas Networks and partners Renewable Energy Harvest paves the way for smarter more resilient infrastructure that helps Britain make better use of low-carbon gases for a decarbonised future energy system.

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.

Historically decentralised low-pressure gas storage such as gas holders have been used to balance gas network supply and demand. This project will explore how a similar approach can support hydrogen rollout particularly in urban and industrial environments where pipeline line-pack alone may not provide sufficient flexibility.

The OptiSTORE project seeks to address the challenge of supply and demand imbalance within Wales & West Utilities’ (WWU) network as means to mitigate the need for storage particularly in support of Net Zero ambitions including the planning for development of new hydrogen pipelines and WWU’s existing HyLine programme.. Current geological hydrogen storage methods such as salt caverns saline aquifers and depleted oil and gas reservoirs are capital intensive often technically complex and reliant on specific geological conditions which are less present across WWU’s geography.

Whilst hydrogen can be stored as a liquid this process requires extremely low temperatures which is technically complex and costly due to the energy required to maintain such low temperatures. One promising alternative to this is Ammonia which is attractive due to its lower storage temperature (-33°C versus -253°C for hydrogen) higher volumetric energy density and existing infrastructure and regulatory familiarity.

This project will explore the feasibility of using ammonia as a means to provide supply-side flexibility of hydrogen to support industrial clusters and future hydrogen pipeline developments.

This project advances lined rock caverns (LRCs) as a flexible hydrogen storage solution in WWU’s area by moving from regional screening to site‑specific pre‑feasibility. It refines geology and site availability shortlists candidate sites in South Wales and South West England conducts a detailed pre‑feasibility study with borehole core analysis at a priority site and assesses commercial models and funding routes culminating in a final report to inform decisions on progressing to full feasibility.

This assesses the suitability of WWU’s three high-pressure gas storage vessel sites (Weston-super-Mare Cheltenham and Bristol/Stapleton) as a case study where learning can be applied to relevant GB networks for hydrogen service. The work includes materials characterisation hydrogen embrittlement testing analysis of 100% hydrogen and 5%/20% hydrogen blends assessment of capacity and pressure requirements evaluation of the implications of removing the vessels entirely and down-selection of viable liner materials and application methods. The project will produce site-specific evidence a shortlist of feasible liner options and clear engineering recommendations to maintain required capacity and pressure envelopes under hydrogen scenarios.

The UK Government has identified Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) as a critical enabler of industrial decarbonisation committing £20 billion to early deployment and targeting 20-30 MtCO₂ stored annually by 2030. Much of the UK’s industrial emissions are geographically concentrated opening the door to targeted CCUS clusters that can deliver outsized impact. GDNs are well positioned to play a meaningful role in this emerging ecosystem.

In Carbon Networks Phase 1 Blunomy assessed the strategic fit between CCUS and the GDN business model. The study identified a range of potential roles including local CO₂ collection participation in transport and storage networks and support for blue hydrogen and CO₂ utilisation initiatives – and it highlighted the importance of early positioning to shape regulatory and commercial pathways.

Phase 2 aims to build on this foundation and move from conceptual framing to actionable insight. Blunomy in the next stage will explore specific industrial opportunities within SGN’s and WWU’s footprint engage with project developers and clusters and outline potential pilot activities. Alongside this the work will assess how CCUS participation aligns with SGN’s broader priorities and the implications for regulatory engagement and investment planning.

The UK’s biomethane sector faces challenges due to the diverse and non-standardized grid entry requirements across different Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs). This variability leads to increased costs complexity and lead times for biomethane projects hindering the industry’s growth and efficiency.

Following the successful completion of Blending Implementation Plan (BIP) Phase 2A (Design) in 2025 and multiple Asset Records and Compatibility projects valuable insights have been generated but remain fragmented. The project is required to consolidate findings from a range of work to date close gaps and provide more granular impacts and cost/time estimates. This will provide a blend-readiness baseline to inform the roadmap for the subsequent survey and assessment phase as well as development of a Transformation Planning Tool applicable for all GB network licensees.

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.