Net zero and the energy system transition
Hydrogen backbone social economic assessment
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.
Predictive Tool for Unaccounted-For Gas (UAG) Identification
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.
HyNTS Corrosion
The National Transmission System (NTS) pipelines employ a number of external corrosion barrier coatings primarily coal tar enamel and fusion bonded epoxy (FBE). Cathodic protection is deployed on the network to mitigate for coating failure. Additionally there are a range of pipeline steels that are used in both above ground buried pipework both stainless and carbon steels of various grades.
Following the previous NIA project: Research the Impact of Hydrogen on CP & Degradation of Coatings (NIA NGGT0191) the HSE have recommended follow-on testing to fully explore the impact of hydrogen permeation through steel pipelines on corrosion protection systems.
Additionally the impact of hydrogen on all credible pipeline corrosion mechanisms is to be considered to understand whether current assumptions with regards corrosion rates are valid for hydrogen pipelines.
Predictive Model for Flood Risk Management
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.
Hydrogen Environment Testing of Girth Welds Phase 2 - Constant Load Testing
Previous testing carried out under NIA has outstanding gaps that require further testing to close. Completing the additional testing will confirm actual fracture toughness values to be used and the corresponding J value from the crack growth resistance curve. The project outputs are required and will be used to progress design specification and procurement processes for hydrogen major projects. The results can also be applied for repurposing assessments.
Recompression Solutions for a Net Zero NTS
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.
WWU Intermediate Scale Hydrogen Storage Evaluation (HyWISE)
As the hydrogen economy grows the need for flexible decentralised intermediate-scale hydrogen storage is becoming increasingly evident. While large-scale underground hydrogen storage in salt caverns and depleted gas fields will play a crucial role in long-term energy security distributed intermediate scale storage solutions are essential to bridge the gap between production and end-use ensuring reliability efficiency and resilience in hydrogen supply chains during the scale-up of the hydrogen economy. Decentralised storage facilities allow for hydrogen hubs to emerge in urban and industrial areas reducing reliance on long-distance transport infrastructure and supporting regional hydrogen economies.
A key unknown is whether the land use and geology of Wales and South West England can support intermediate-scale underground hydrogen storage (UHS) technologies. This project aims to map and assess potential storage sites within the WWU region aligning with broader energy infrastructure plans—including hydrogen and gas pipelines electricity networks industrial demand and renewable energy integration. The project will use WWU’s geology and geography as a case study and demonstrate how UHS options can support wider energy infrastructure in the region and beyond as well as future project plans. For this reason the outputs are expected to be of value to all networks.
To evaluate the feasibility of these storage solutions the University of Edinburgh will analyse rock property and strength data from publicly accessible British Geological Survey (BGS) datasets developing new insights into the engineering suitability of the region’s subsurface for hydrogen storage.
Hydrogen Refuelling from the Network
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.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Operating Hub for Repex/Large-Scale Projects
To maintain their above ground and underground pipework assets all Gas Distribution Networks (GDN) operate substantial fleets of commercial vehicles (primarily vans but also HGVs) together with mobile plant and powered equipment. Presently there is a complete reliance on hydrocarbon fuels primarily diesel and petrol. Both fuel types are usually sourced via the public retail forecourt network. Similar issues exist for other utility providers that operate underground and overground infrastructure.
Wales & West Utilities is undertaking a major programme of change to support decarbonisation and deliver a hydrogen-ready Net Zero gas network. Our distribution network iron mains replacement programme (Repex) requires significant excavation and pipe replacement activity laying long-life hydrogen-ready polyethylene pipe by a variety of means.
The project endeavours to identify a suite of suitable zero-emission mobile plant assets tools and equipment for carrying out Repex work that WWU could hire or purchase for operational trials and to identify opportunities for changing equipment items to simplify recharging/refuelling requirements in the future.
The objectives of this project are:
- To analyse current energy demands sound pressure and vibration levels associated with existing ICE powered mobile plant assets ICE-powered tools and equipment and electrical equipment used for carrying out planned iron mains replacement work on the gas distribution network.
- To estimate the future electrical energy demands (and sound pressure and vibration levels) placed by future zero-emission powered tools and equipment on a zero-emission site-based power generation facility.
- To identify opportunities for changing equipment items to simplify recharging/refuelling requirements in future.
- To identify a suite of suitable zero-emission mobile plant assets tools and equipment that WWU could hire (or purchase) and utilise for operational trials short and longer term. This will include the energy source and the means of recharging and/or refuelling on site and/or at regional depot locations.
Economics of Biomethane
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.
Calorific Gas Sensor
The UK and Irish gas networks are undergoing a major transition to support the integration of green gases including biomethane and hydrogen. A significant challenge is the inability of the current gas billing infrastructure based on flow-weighted average calorific value (CV) measurements taken at National Transmission System (NTS) offtakes to accurately reflect the gas composition received by consumers—particularly with the increasing number of decentralised injection points. This discrepancy presents a technical and regulatory hurdle to achieving fair and transparent billing.
This programme is leveraging 3 suppliers to develop a range of novel calorific value sensors that will enable calorific value to be accurately measured at different points on the network without the need for venting.
The programme comprises of 3 individual projects which will develop each suppliers’ technology up to a sufficiently high TRL where the sensors are ready to be trialled in the field. Each supplier will be delivering their own scope of work but will be expected to share a reasonable amount of information with each other in order to ensure maximum value is obtained from this programme. The innovators will not be expected to disclose any information that could provide them with a competitive advantage over the other solutions
Hydrogen Ignition Risk from Static and Autoignition (HIRSA) – Stage 3
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.
MASiP Phase 3 (Qualification Testing & Integrated System Development)
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.
Human Behaviours and automation
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.
Rising Pressure Reformer Study
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.
Stopple-Live trial (Phase 2)
The Stopple technology is a flow stop tool essential for major projects and emergency works across the LTS and NTS gas network. Its capability was tested in 100% hydrogen within a helinite environment in line with LTS Futures parameters as phase 1. This project focuses on validating flow-stopping technology as an additional deliverable with LTS Futures live hydrogen trial on the Granton to Grangemouth pipeline as a welded tee and hot-tapping operations is already being carried out. The trial will confirm the Stopple train’s effectiveness as a double-block and bleed solution for a 100% hydrogen system which will be available for the UK Gas Network. The findings will provide critical insights into the safe and efficient operation of the hydrogen networks supporting the transition from natural gas to hydrogen.
Hydrogen Permeation through the Oxide Layer Phase 1
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.
Enhancement of the anaerobic digestion process for biomethane production
The UK Government recognised that domestic biomethane production can play a significant role in decarbonising energy supplies. However biomethane production plants face technical and operational challenges. Currently the content of biomethane within biogas produced from the anaerobic digestion (AD) process is often only around 50%. This partial conversion results in lower yields for AD operators and an increase in costly gas scrubbing requirements. The increased presence of impurity gases also increases requirement for propanation to increase the calorific value high in both cost and carbon footprint.
This project seeks to address these challenges through the injection of green hydrogen into the AD process in specific quantities and at specific times to achieve greater conversion of carbon dioxide to biomethane within the acetogenesis stage of the AD process thereby increasing the yield whilst reducing the need for gas scrubbing and propanation.
NextGen Electrolysis – Wastewater to Green Hydrogen Beta
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.
Decentralised Alliance for South West Hydrogen (DASH)
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.