Projects
Sector Size Assessment
This project will deliver a series of reports and presentations which reflect the need to minimise disruption during any conversion taking into account customer needs and the wider supply chain not just the needs of the GDN.
Rethinking Communication for Digital Exclusion
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)
Carbon Networks Phase 2
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.
Weld Residual Stress Phase II - Testing
This project seeks to demonstrate the reductions in weld residual stress assumptions that have been suggested by the Phase I Literature Review project. A test programme will be conducted to measure residual stress in pipelines indicative of those on the gas network and subject them to hydrostatic pressures as seen in the period correct commissioning tests. These residual stress results will be fed into a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) model to scale up to other sizes and grades representative of the gas network. Residual stress tests will also be performed on extracted ex-service pipework in order to validate the ‘fresh’ pipeline tests and the FEA modelling.
Novel Approach Secure Site Communications
The aim of this project is to study and recommend a a resilient solution for National Gas’ remote operations considering also harsh operational environments from a communications perspective. A technical study will be undertaken on mobile hybrid satellite-cellular terminals compatible with use with batteries targeting the National Gas operation teams deployed in locations where traditional connectivity options are limited or non-existent. There will be a focus on solutions that integrate cellular and satellite communication technologies suitable for its installation in the operation teams’ vehicles and that can also become a portable terminal for those areas that can only be reached by foot.
Use of AI in Learning & Development
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.
Fatigue Rig Destructive Testing
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.
Understanding the value of remote detectors
The statistical ‘value’ (i.e. risk reduction and cost) of remote hydrogen detectors has been determined through statistical based projects as part of the hydrogen heating programme (HHP). The cost has been shown to outweigh the risk however given hydrogen is not a mature heating solution the cost can be justified in response to risk appetite from key stakeholders such as consumers. This risk appetite is assumed. There is currently no analysis (qualitative or quantitative) into consumers attitudes towards the ‘value’ of remote detectors. This project will begin to explore the perception of risk reduction from remote detectors to be used to compliment the statistical based analysis to paint a fuller picture towards the utilisation and crucially the value of remote detectors.
Welding Residual Stress Measurements and Analysis for Gas Pipelines
This project concerns the research into welding residual stress values and the effect that they have on the overall pipework repurposing assessment route described in relevant hydrogen standards. Currently overly conservative values need to be applied for welding residual stresses in any repurposing assessment. This project aims to build evidence on actual and modelled residual stresses seen within the pipelines industries with a focus on natural gas pipelines. As the welding residual stress is a critical aspect of the fracture mechanics assessment any improvements which can be gained would have an overall positive impact on the assessment results.
Accuracy of electronic volume conversion systems when metering blends of hydrogen and natural gas
This project focuses on ensuring accurate volume conversion within gas metering processes as hydrogen is blended into the natural gas network across Great Britain. Accurate measurement is essential for fair billing and maintaining customer trust during the energy transition. The project will study real world metering installations assess potential errors caused by hydrogen blending and develop practical mitigation strategies. Findings will inform updates to industry guidance (IGEM/GM/5) supporting regulatory compliance and operational integrity.
CO2 Capture and Methanation Feasibility Study
CO₂ utilisation in the UK remains technically and commercially uncertain. Dispersed emitters and biogenic sources are largely excluded from industrial CCUS clusters leaving a gap in scalable cost-effective carbon management solutions. This project will conduct a Desktop feasibility study covering SGN’s operational regions and local emitters within ~30 mile radius of candidate biomethane sites.
- Stakeholder and vendor engagement with technology providers
- Technical and economic modelling of capture and utilisation systems including mass and energy balances CAPEX/OPEX estimates and sensitivity analysis on CO₂ and hydrogen pricing.
- Local market assessment to identify potential CO₂ emitters and offtakes within 30 miles of candidate biomethane or EfW sites.
Development roadmap defining next steps funding opportunities and conditions required to progress to demonstration phase.
Network Intelligence: Bio- Methane Retractable Probe
The Retractable Probe directly tackles a critical constraint in biomethane integration: the disconnect between modelled and actual network capacity during low-demand periods. By enabling real-time high-resolution flow data from retrofitted PRIs this innovation unlocks latent capacity allowing for more confident dynamic flow commitments. With proven international precedents and a low-cost scalable design the probe offers a transformative step toward decarbonising the UK’s gas infrastructure—turning data scarcity into actionable intelligence and accelerating the transition to a greener more resilient energy system.
HyProximity
This project aims to develop a robust evidence-based framework to support the introduction of standardised separation distance tables for 100% hydrogen similar in format and function to those in IGEM/TD/3 for natural gas and hydrogen blends. This will address a gap in current standards for hydrogen. The Institute of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM) are providing resource to support the project and to update any necessary standards.
GDN Gas Quality Forecasting
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.
Hybrid Heat Systems (HHS) Acceleration Route
Project will deliver strategic analysis and recommendations to support the accelerated adoption of Hybrid Heat Systems (HHS) in GB. This includes assessing technology options commercial models stakeholder perspectives and system integration pathways. The work will result in actionable insights clear positioning of HHS within the wider decarbonisation strategy.
LISTEN – Local Insights Supporting Transparent Energy Networks
The LISTEN (Local Insights Supporting Transparent Energy Networks) project aims to create a scalable data-led approach to understanding and building social consent for the energy transition. LISTEN integrates AI-driven tools place-based engagement and co-designed dashboards to help energy networks plan with communities not just for them.
The platform brings together four core elements:
- Regional Dashboards: Visualising insights by geography topic and demographics to inform planning and engagement strategies.
- Multi-Source Data Capture: Synthesising local news social media planning documents and community events for a holistic view of local feeling.
- Voice-Enabled Surveys: Capturing authentic community sentiment in people’s own words with AI sentiment analysis assessing tone confidence and emotion.
- Tailored Recommendations: Providing SGN and partners with actionable insights and engagement strategies aligned with Ofgem’s fairness and consumer-centric priorities.
Standardising Grid Entry Unit
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.