Projects
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.
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.
Hydrogen Blending Implementation Programme Phase 2B
Following the successful completion of Blending Implementation Plan (BIP) Phase 1 (Planning) in 2023 and BIP Phase 2A (Design) in 2025 the gas networks have engaged KPMG to proceed with the next phase of the programme BIP Phase 2B (Delivery).
Running from February 2026 to November 2026 and focusing on Market Frameworks impacts Phase 2B is required to build on the consensus achieved in Phase 2A and close out all implementation areas that require joint-decision making by the networks. These decisions pertain to detailed design of the application window and industry governance. The outcomes of Phase 2B will create a clear and consistent pathway for individual networks to support the application window and connections process alongside addressing common areas of industry governance based on collective decision making to meet timelines of future HAR.
Hydrogen-Enhanced Biomethane for Energy System Resilience
Biomethane from Anaerobic Digestion is currently injected into Gas Distribution Networks as a renewable alternative to fossil-fuel based natural gas.
AD plants currently supply largely constant flows whilst gas demand fluctuates daily and seasonally creating supply-demand imbalances which increase system balancing requirements.
Flexible locally produced biomethane could help GDNs manage system balance by increasing injection during demand peaks or cold spells.
This project will use biomethanisation injecting hydrogen to convert additional CO₂ within digesters to boost biomethane output dynamically supporting network balancing and Net-Zero ambitions.
Operational and regulatory frameworks will also be assessed to enable wider adoption of dynamic injection.
Catalysing Biomethane Growth in the UK
This project constitutes a UK-wide strategic assessment of the policy and regulatory frameworks governing biomethane production and grid injection with the objective of identifying how these frameworks can be updated to unlock growth. The review will examine the current policy landscape support mechanisms and regulatory arrangements affecting biomethane development including uncertainties associated with existing schemes and fragmented governance structures.
Simplifying Low Carbon Heat
This study examined options for making progress on domestic heat decarbonisation against an ongoing backdrop that most consumers in GB have not chosen to install heat pumps. The study finds that forcing consumers to do so is likely to increase costs for everyone and spark backlash against climate policy. The paper sets out the parameters for a more flexible pathway which supports technologies including hybrid heat pumps based on emissions and cost savings. The core finding is that by allowing consumers to transition more gradually to newer technologies this approach offers a lower-cost and more voter-friendly (and therefore deliverable) pathway to net zero.
Hydrogen Fracture Surfaces Assessment
The LTS Futures project aims to understand how the local transmission system (LTS) could be repurposed from Natural Gas to hydrogen. The project encompasses several elements which will feed into a blueprint methodology for repurposing the LTS to hydrogen. During one of the work elements LTS Futures conducted full-scale testing of pipeline defects and small-bore connections exposed to hydrogen. Testing was conducted until failure to provide information for hydrogen pipeline design standards and operational procedures. This project will undertake further detailed analysis of the fracture surfaces to provide a visual confirmation of hydrogen diffusion into the pipeline microstructure and if this contributed to failure.
Hazardous Areas Impact Mitigation (HAIM) Phase 3
NIA_NGN_346 demonstrated that in a 100% hydrogen conversion scenario hazardous areas of some above ground installations (AGIs) on the network would extend far beyond their current site boundaries. The Hazardous Area Impact Mitigation (HAIM) work programme was set up to investigate these findings and develop potential mitigations. Results highlighted discrepancies between the calculated values from the IGEM/SR/25 hydrogen supplement and empirical test measurements as well as revealed the compound impact of rounding on calculated hazardous zones.
HAIM 3 will propose two methods to reduce the specified zones from AGIs based on the evidence to date:
- Refine the IGEM/SR/25 supplement based on evidence from the HAIM results.
- Use the knowledge gained during the HAIM works to adapt AGI vents and sites to reduce plume sizes and hence exclusion zones. This is independent of any changes to IGEM/SR/25 and can be applied in parallel.
Both methods independently act to reduce the specified zones surrounding vent pipes in AGIs.
Additional evidence gaps around hydrogen/Natural Gas blends up to 20% will be examined by replicating the phase 2 workshop tests for blends. During the project additional opportunities will be sought to collaborate and share knowledge with any third-party studies of large-scale gas releases.
Biomethane HP storage injection
To investigate the potential to use high pressure storage assets to directly inject biomethane.
Network Blending Blueprint
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.
Air Ingress in a Live Environment
Using Cartrefi Hydrogen Home as a test case this project will enable remote monitoring of air ingress phenomena within the home. The system will be used to characterise the current behaviour of the house and to investigate generic air ingress dynamics in a representative domestic hydrogen installation.
Suitability of 17-4 PH Stainless Steel Gas Components
The transition from natural gas to hydrogen introduces new material challenges within the context of the GB gas network. One critical concern is hydrogen embrittlement particularly in 17-4 Precipitation Hardened (PH) Stainless Steel commonly used in axial flow regulators and other key gas network components like valve stems. Hydrogen embrittlement can significantly reduce ductility fatigue life and fracture toughness potentially leading to component failure. While research exists much of it focuses on extreme conditions (e.g. high pressures and rapid temperature cycling) that do not reflect typical operational environments in the GB gas network.
This project will look to combine industry knowledge literature review and empirical testing to address these outstanding challenges.