Net zero and the energy system transition

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.

This project will investigate the potential impacts of district heating on the gas network whether its viable for the network to support district heating and what repurposing would be required.

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.

Laboratory and full-scale testing have demonstrated that hydrogen gas affects the fracture performance of pipeline steel welds. To avoid severe knockdown factors stipulated by existing hydrogen pipeline codes mechanical property data from welds tested in high-pressure gaseous hydrogen is required to enable optimised operation of the NTS in hydrogen.

National Gas Transmission have conducted a series of fracture toughness and fatigue crack growth rate tests on a wide selection of pipeline steels and welds representative of those used on the National Transmission System (NTS). A thorough review of the welds tested and how these compare to the wider population of welds in service on the NTS is required to provide further confidence to use this data in pipeline repurposing assessments and for new build design.

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.

UK gas networks are managed and maintained using an extensive suite of policies policies standards and procedures. These documents have been developed gradually over decades of gas network operation however the transition to hydrogen necessitates a wholesale review and update of all existing documents. There is much commonality between the networks’ documents and therefore it would be most efficient to update these documents in a coordinated way to avoid the unnecessary duplication of effort.

This project investigates the risk of air ingress in medium to large commercial gas installations particularly in the context of hydrogen transition. It builds on previous domestic-focused research and aims to understand whether similar risks and mitigation strategies apply to commercial systems. The project includes technical and behavioural assessments experimental testing analytical modelling and the identification of mitigation measures.

The Fairer Warmth Hub (FWH) connects stakeholders of the Net Zero Transition through place-based strategies providing tools and guidance to facilitate local energy plans and enhance collaboration. The FWH integrates digital tools and community engagement to facilitate effective communication and planning among diverse stakeholders including households small businesses schools social healthcare and local authorities. FWH is designed to bridge the gap in the energy transition by providing tailored support to these stakeholders ensuring that the transition is inclusive and just. The FWH integrates three core elements:

• Trained ‘Champions’ – Volunteers or staff known as Champions are recruited and trained to support community engagement helping to build trust and reduce miscommunication in local energy initiatives.
• Digital Tools (Virtual Assets) – Innovative digital tools (App + Website) and resources are used to facilitate energy transition planning and community engagement particularly assisting Customer In Vulnerable Situation (CIVS) and those who are digitally excluded.
• Community Centres (Non-Virtual Assets) – Physical community hubs serve as accessible locations for hands-on support providing a space for CIVS and other stakeholders to engage directly in the energy transition.

NGT is committed to supporting the government and the broader industry in achieving the Net Zero target by 2050. CCUS alongside hydrogen will play a critical role in reaching this goal. Since the existing infrastructure was originally designed for methane adapting it to transport these new gases presents significant engineering challenges. To address this an extensive research program has been launched to assess the technical feasibility of repurposing sections of the NTS for hydrogen and carbon dioxide transportation. While repurposing existing pipelines will be an essential part of the transition it will not be sufficient new infrastructure will be required to support a scalable hydrogen and carbon network. Given the ambitious deployment timelines meeting these targets will require not only innovative technical solutions but also a holistic strategy that integrates the supply chain and fosters collaboration across the industry.

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 Special Condition 5.6. 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.

This project will develop and evaluate a predictive flood monitoring system for Above Ground Installations (AGIs) and pipeline assets using real-time sensor data and 48-hour surface water forecasting. The system will be deployed at four locations identified through a nationwide flood risk survey. The trial will assess the system’s accuracy responsiveness and operational value across diverse environments. The project supports climate adaptation regulatory compliance and asset resilience by enabling early warning and proactive intervention. It aligns with RIIO-2 NIA objectives by reducing flood-related disruption enhancing safety and informing future investment decisions. The project will conclude with a technical report and recommendations for wider rollout under RIIO-3.

This project will provide National Gas Transmission (NGT) with a clear technical understanding and strategy for the deployment of recompression solutions for Net Zero gas networks including hydrogen blends 100% hydrogen and Carbon Dioxide transmission.

The NIA Safe Venting & Recompression of Hydrogen innovation project explored the possibility of repurposing natural gas recompression units for hydrogen blends and 100% hydrogen and investigated new solutions for hydrogen pipeline recompression as part of routine maintenance activities.

This project will take further NGT’s knowledge of hydrogen recompression for different scales and applications on the NTS to reduce venting and explore similar solutions for carbon dioxide pipelines.

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 consultant will deliver a report with supporting data to demonstrate that the economics stack up for biomethane while also supporting the UK’s net zero ambitions and contributing to our energy security.

The MASiP Phase 3 project aims to develop test and qualify a new pipeline system (MASiP) as a safe and cost-effective alternative to traditional steel pipelines for pipelines operating above 7 bar capable of transporting natural gas biogas and up to 100% hydrogen. Building on Phases 1 and 2 this phase focuses on the technical assessment of tight radius bends tees and damage repair as well as the integration of live monitoring systems in a prototype operational environment. Comprehensive validation will include connectors coatings repair systems hot-tapping solutions ground movement tolerance durability and design life testing. All testing will be carried out in accordance with IGEM API and ASME standards supported by statistical and independently witnessed trials to generate robust qualification data for industry adoption. The key deliverable is a validated deployable hydrogen-ready pipeline system that is safe compliant and cost-effective offering potential cost savings of up to 50% compared with steel. The project outcomes will support the UK’s RIIO-GD2 strategy and 2050 net-zero targets by enabling hydrogen-ready infrastructure improving monitoring installation efficiency and long-term reliability while also providing the evidence base required for regulatory policy and industry acceptance of alternative pipeline materials.

This project aims to assess and enhance the hydrogen readiness of ball valves within the (NTS) by conducting maintenance strategy evaluation with material performance analysis. It involves reviewing current valve operations diagnostics and OEM maintenance guidance alongside a literature review of commonly used valve materials to understand their behaviour under hydrogen exposure. The project valve performance testing and finite element analysis of existing valve designs to evaluate structural integrity. Findings from these activities will provide actionable recommendations for updating NGT’s valves maintenance strategies diagnostic tools and design standards to support safe and efficient hydrogen service deployment

The Phase 3 project on gas inhibitors for hydrogen pipelines aims to translate lab-scale findings into practical applications for the UK’s National Transmission System. It focuses on validating the effectiveness of oxygen and alternative inhibitors in mitigating hydrogen embrittlement addressing unresolved safety and integrity concerns from previous phases and designing a plan for safe integration into existing infrastructure. The project includes physical demonstration planning and network design to assess technology implementation.

This project will see Cenex deliver a feasibility study on hydrogen internal combustion engines (H2ICE) as an alternative to diesel and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) within WWU’s operational fleet. This project comprises three distinct work packages (WPs) each feeding into a holistic assessment of H2ICE applicability across WWU’s vehicle assets. Cenex will apply its expertise in fleet decarbonisation alternative fuel technologies legislative policy analysis and techno-economic modelling to meet WWU’s scope requirements. All outputs will be suitable for internal strategic review and for sharing externally with partners and stakeholders.

Significant efforts are required to support the transition of our energy systems moving away from carbon-intensive fuels such as coal diesel petrol and gas towards cleaner sources of power generation such as wind solar nuclear and hydrogen. There is a potential for hydrogen to play a hugely significant role in our energy system the extent of which will be driven by a range of factors including the ability to transport it to where it is needed. There have been recent positive decisions for hydrogen’s potential uses in blending transportation domestic heating and industry. To produce sufficient hydrogen to meet this potential need it will be important to increase and diversify hydrogen production methods.

As nuclear is a reliable and consistent source of clean energy that is unaffected by external factors such as the weather Northern Gas Networks and Wales and West Utilities would like to investigate the possible use of nuclear power as a method of delivering the future increased demand in hydrogen production. This project will explore the opportunity for hydrogen production from nuclear to support a net zero transition across the gas network.

Benefits of nuclear-enabled hydrogen (NEH) in the context of gas distribution networks (GDNs) will be explored building on the established benefits of nuclear energy production.

The overall project outcome is that NGN WWU and other stakeholders are sufficiently informed to determine whether further investment and integration of nuclear-enabled hydrogen to transition plans are justified and how a potential first project could take its next step to deployment through securing technology licences sites off takers and financing.

The use of greener gases such as biomethane are an important part of the UK’s transition to net zero. Underground storage sites for biomethane are critical for balancing seasonal supply and demands for energy. However increased levels of oxygen in biomethane can lead to corrosion of assets in wet gas conditions compromising the integrity of storage facilities. This project will assess in a comparative analysis the technical and economic viability of advanced catalytic and adsorption technologies to reduce oxygen levels in biomethane with corrosion inhibitors to ensure the integrity and longevity of critical storage infrastructure.

The HIRSA programme is assessing ignition risks for the transition to hydrogen with Stage 3 focusing on high pressure static risks including shockwave ignition and rapid adiabatic compression. This research supports the safe integration of hydrogen into gas networks.

This project will identify and evaluate current technology available for pipes suitable for use in natural gas blended gas and hydrogen gas networks operating above 7 bar.

This project will see QEM Solutions conduct a comprehensive literature review of market reports on pipes used in high-pressure gas systems as well as of existing options for transportation of high-pressure gas in industrial uses with transferrable learnings. QEMS will develop a matrix comparing pros and cons of each solution and consolidate the findings into a final project report.

The project will facilitate the energy system transition by investigating the available and most optimal pipeline materials for natural gas blended gas and hydrogen gas networks above 7 bar considering all operational capex requirements and full lifecycle costs. This work is important for informing investment decisions in pipeline replacement materials addressing a gap in current knowledge.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Wales and West Utilities are partnering with HydroStar Welsh Water and NGED to look at two demonstrator projects required from new electrolyser systems and the associated electrolyte that ensures resilience of hydrogen supply across the network giving best value for money and energy security within WWU’s network along with other UK wide Gas Distribution Network (GDN) customers.

Current electrolysers focus on stack-efficiency and hydrogen purity without considering real-world manufacturing and operational constraints and the high costs associated. This project focusses on utilising impurified-water e.g. rainwater storm-overflow and industrial process wastewater as feedstock which reduces operational constraints and costs for customers whilst enabling wide-scale uptake of low-carbon hydrogen.

View our Year One Annual Report here:

Future Energy Research & Insights | Wales & West Utilities

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NGN use various systems with each one requiring different levels of human interaction. The drive towards net zero will involve the introduction of a multi-gas network increasing the network’s complexity. It’s envisaged there’ll be an additional amount of human interaction required to support the systems resulting in staff having to spend less time on strategic initiatives and operational challenges. The control room needs to be future ready to improve productivity and operational efficiency hence the necessity for additional interactions to support the various systems mentioned below.

• SCADA
• Business applications
• Electronic logging system

Alongside the EIC we have completed the ‘Call for Innovation’ process and identified a supplier to deliver a feasibility study to identify vendors offering platform technology for: Automation Enhancement of situational awareness.

This project will produce valuable insights into understanding the relationship between human behaviours and the utilisation of safety devices with automated functionality. This follows the work done on hydrogen risk mitigations which included technology such as hydrogen detectors with automated functionality to remotely notify the emergency call centre to dispatch an engineer to the detected leak. In their review of this work HSE have asked if the assumption that consumers will continue to act the same knowing the device will be doing some automated will change the validity of the modelling assumptions. This project will address that query and build on our own understanding of consumer insights; something which could add a depth of value to other projects exploring automated safety systems.

The work will give relevant stakeholders a better understanding of the value of biomethane-powered hybrid heating systems as an important input into the debate over the UK’s future domestic heating landscape and the role biomethane can play in this system. This is a Green Gas Taskforce-related project being led by Cadent.

Northern Gas Networks is exploring innovative solutions to decarbonize its operations and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Hydrogen fuel produced via electrolysis presents a promising alternative to conventional fuels for fleet vehicles. This project aims to assess the technical operations and economic feasibility of integrating electrolyser systems into a range of Northern Gas vehicles.

The overall project outcome is that NGN and other stakeholders are sufficiently informed to determine whether electrolyser integration is advised based on the technical operational economic and environmental impact.

Hydrogen Transition Pathways for Industrial Clusters (HTPIC) is a six-month evidence led research and decision support project developed in response to the EIC’s call for innovation on the energy transition of industrial clusters. The project addresses the challenge of determining where how and under what conditions hydrogen should play a role in decarbonising industrial clusters and surrounding communities alongside credible alternative pathways.

Across the GB energy system existing hydrogen programmes and studies are typically undertaken on a cluster-by-cluster or project-specific basis using differing assumptions scenarios and decision criteria. This makes it difficult for networks and policymakers to compare options consistently understand system level trade-offs or prioritise investment in a transparent and auditable way. The absence of a common decision framework increases the risk of misaligned investment stranded assets and inconsistent outcomes across regions.

HTPIC aims to close this gap by providing NGN Future Energy Networks (FEN) and Xoserve with a structured repeatable decision framework that enables consistent evidence-based comparison of hydrogen pathways across industrial clusters. The project integrates technical economic social and deliverability considerations within a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework allowing complex evidence to be translated into clear and practical insights rather than standalone studies or narrative recommendations.

The project will be delivered in three stages:

• Stage 1 establishes a robust evidence baseline including a comprehensive literature and evidence review documented assumptions register and confirmation of scope and clusters.
• Stage 2 generates robust comparable evidence across clusters through four analytical workstreams covering hydrogen supply and demand gas coexistence and system configuration conversion practicality and costs and just-transition considerations while developing and calibrating the MCDM framework with stakeholders.
• Stage 3 applies the agreed framework to undertake structured optioneering and scenario analysis resulting in prioritised pathways cluster-specific conversion playbooks and decision-ready outputs.

Key outputs include:

• a literature and evidence review with a transparent assumption register;
• a defensible options-rationalisation matrix and MCDM framework;
• a comprehensive report addressing the four research questions set out in the EIC brief supported by an executive summary and cluster-specific annexes;
• cluster-level conversion playbooks translating analysis into practical location-specific insights;
• pathway roadmaps to 2050; and
• a final dissemination pack to support knowledge sharing across NGN FEN Xoserve and Ofgem audiences .

HTPIC will support improved strategic planning for hydrogen and alternative decarbonisation pathways reduce the risk of misaligned investment and stranded assets through structured prioritisation and strengthen alignment between industrial cluster ambitions and network development plans. By providing a transparent and consistent decision framework the project enables clearer sequencing of pathways more robust comparison of hydrogen and alternative options and improved confidence in future investment appraisal.

The project will also enhance understanding of affordability workforce implications and wider community impacts ensuring that pathway selection considers both technical feasibility and socio-economic factors. Through its systematic assessment of coexistence conversion practicality and deliverability HTPIC supports safer and more coordinated progression into downstream engineering and delivery programmes.

HTPIC will generate new system-level learning on hydrogen coexistence conversion practicality and community impacts presented through a structured scenario-based and weighted decision framework that enables transparent comparison across industrial clusters. This learning will strengthen evidence-based decision making across networks and provide a clearer foundation for future programme development regulatory engagement and investment planning.

Learning will be disseminated through the dissemination event final report executive summary and EIC knowledge-sharing channels supporting wider GB network benefit.

The project commences at TRL 2 where the structured assessment methodology and decision framework are defined conceptually. Over the course of delivery the framework will be applied across multiple industrial clusters tested against real-world scenarios and stakeholder calibration and analytically validated through structured optioneering.

By project close the solution will have progressed to TRL 3 with the methodology demonstrated and validated in a decision-support context delivering robust prioritisation and clearly articulated pathways.

The project does not include detailed engineering design trials or implementation. Early-stage engineering validation or delivery programmes across industrial clusters are already underway or in development through separate governance funding and procurement routes. HTPIC is designed to strengthen and rationalise those activities by providing a structured evidence base and decision framework to support confident downstream investment and engineering decisions.

This project assesses the role of hydrogen‑to‑power (H2P) generation within WWU’s planned hydrogen network. It identifies maps and evaluates potential H2P assets; develops hydrogen demand scenarios; assesses commercial and policy risks; and prepares cost‑benefit analysis (CBA) case studies to inform decision‑making. The outcome will be a fully integrated whole‑system assessment enabling WWU to understand risks opportunities and required policy frameworks for incorporating H2P into regional hydrogen infrastructure.

This project will investigate the effect of hydrogen exposure and conditioning on the failure behaviour of internal sharp defects in pipeline steels. The work builds on testing previously undertaken as part of the LTS Futures programme and NIA_SGN0070 where full-scale burst testing indicated that hydrogen exposure may influence the failure pressure associated with internal crack-like defects. However the available dataset remains limited and some results have shown inconsistencies suggesting that hydrogen conditioning and exposure history may significantly affect material response.

The project will undertake additional full-scale burst testing on vessels fabricated from representative pipeline material containing machined internal sharp defects. The vessels will be subjected to controlled hydrogen conditioning prior to burst testing to evaluate the effect of hydrogen diffusion and retention on fracture behaviour and failure pressure.

Complementary laboratory-scale mechanical testing and fractographic analysis will also be performed to characterise material properties and failure mechanisms. The results will support pipeline integrity assessments and the safe repurposing of the UK Local Transmission System (LTS) for hydrogen transport.

This project will produce reports that will compare the Asset Interventions Database vs their asset base to provide an estimated readiness rating and confidence level against the gas networks assets for the conversion to hydrogen both 100% and blended.

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.

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.

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.

This project will explore ventilation and explosion relief requirements for housing currently used on the gas network for pressure regulating installations (PRIs). Housings currently provide security from a range of factors from weather to vandalism while also providing the necessary relief requirements in the event of an emergency. The understanding of these requirements for Natural Gas has been developed however work conducted in the IGEM TD/13 hydrogen supplement did not fully address whether these design specifications are suitable for use with Hydrogen. This multi-stage project will first explore the design specifications listed in industry standards (IGEM/TD/13 GIS/PRS/35 SGN/SP/CE/10 etc) and understand which of these may be appropriate and which may require redesign. The latter stage of this project will take the design specifications deemed to be unsuitable for use with hydrogen and conduct testing to develop revised design specifications which would provide the necessary relief requirements.

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.

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.

Early cluster projects will not benefit I&C customers that are located away from industrial clusters and are traditionally more distributed in nature. These customers are unlikely to have access to hydrogen infrastructure developed through the primary industrial clusters. This presents the need for an alternative solution.

This project will explore the concept of how a larger number of low-volume hydrogen producers can support I&C customers in the absence of natural ‘clustering’ and high-volume production by using the South West region of WWU’s network as a case study. This will be done by exploring the whole systems concept of a gas network which is driven by distributed green hydrogen production at strategic locations where there is access to both gas and electricity grid infrastructure.

To achieve decarbonisation targets all gas network operators in the UK need to demonstrate that the gas network can safely technically and economically facilitate the distribution of low-carbon gases (biomethane and hydrogen). In response to this challenge SGN aim to review the feasibility of the formation of biomethane islands in their Scotland area of operation. The outputs of this project will establish a business model for the optimisation of biomethane injection and formation of biomethane islands across the UK’s gas network. A feasibility study will address key areas including regulatory technical environmental social and commercial aspects as well as comprehensively assess the viability of developing Biomethane Islands. The outcome of the feasibility study will be to inform decision-making regarding project implementation. This will be captured and delivered in a comprehensive report and financial model of the business case. These islands will serve as models for sustainable living demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of a circular economy approach to energy production and waste management and offer a low disruption option for the decarbonisation of all classes of gas consumers - Industrial Commercial and Domestic.

Linepack flexibility is key for Gas Transmission to provide system resilience by management of swings within operational limits. In a hydrogen world we know our energy content per km of linepack will decrease by up to 76%. Therefore embedded resilience systems in the form of lined rock shafts are being investigated to supplement loss in linepack capability. We envision systems if implemented for hydrogen transmission to act similar to how now decommissioned natural gas holders were utilised for operational flexibility pressure regulation supply/demand mismatch management load balancing emergency backup and production buffering.

Wales & West Utilities is undertaking a major programme of change to support decarbonisation and deliver a Net Zero gas network. Decarbonisation of the vehicle fleet is an integral component of that programme.

WWU operates a fleet of nearly 1400 commercial vehicles the majority of these being vans up to 3.5 tonnes GVW. Our fleet – mostly diesel-fuelled - plays a crucial role in providing a safe and efficient service. In addition to our vehicle fleet WWU operates ~ 900 items of mobile plant including mini diggers and a wide range of trailers many of which are specialised.

WWU vans carry a wide range of power-operated tools and equipment some of this currently being powered by hydrocarbon fuels some by electricity and some by compressed air. Approximately a third of our van fleet (~400 units) is equipped with ‘full on-board power’ – a compressor and generator mounted under the van floor and mechanically driven by the diesel engine and operating as a source of on-site power.

This group of vehicles primarily supports below-ground network repair and replacement activity: it is a significant energy consumer so to help us understand how we can make an operationally cost-effective transition to zero emissions it is the on-site energy requirements of the tools and equipment powered by this group that Cenex will evaluate for this project. This evaluation will provide information which can take account of (and feed in to) a range of different scenarios for the fleet in the future such as changes to the number and type of vans allocated to particular teams and projects.

Existing defect assessments and repair methodologies are aligned with the T/PM/P/11 and T/PM/P/20 management procedures and are adopted to inspect assess and repair the pipelines for defects and take suitable measures to reduce them. However the scope and applicability of the repair techniques in the presence of high-pressure hydrogen remain uncertain. The key questions which form an outline of the project are:

1. What are the different types of defects we may encounter or consider injurious in the presence of hydrogen?
2. What is the impact of hydrogen on each defect type? Have the mechanisms of failure changed for each defect type after hydrogen-natural gas blending?
3. Will the existing repair techniques be applicable under transmission of high-pressure hydrogen and hydrogen-natural gas blends?
4. Can we implement the defect assessment inspection and repair methodologies safely? Are the techniques safe and suitable for the pipeline operations and maintenance teams?

The project seeks to answer the above in addition to understanding the types and extent of repairs across the NTS and assess the impact of hydrogen on the effectiveness of these inspection assessment and mitigation technologies.

This project seeks to improve the accuracy of CV measurement in gas networks which distribute blended gas streams. Element Digital Engineering will address this by first studying the physics of gas blending in the gas network using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). A wide range of simulations will enable the effects of different designs and mixing technologies to be understood in relation to the various gases under consideration. The predictions of these CFD studies will be validated through the design and development of a rig to simulate blending in the network. The overall results of these studies will be used to develop a tool that can be deployed within the gas networks to facilitate the accurate prediction of co-mingling and subsequent CV measurement points supporting the design of blending systems.