Net zero and the energy system transition
Asset Records Readiness for Hydrogen
The project will evaluate and deliver a plan that ensures our asset records are suitably complete to support the net zero transition.
The project will reduce uncertainty and risk and provide a more realistic proximation of asset data.
The HSE has indicated that it will be unable to support a network’s hydrogen safety case until they receive “a clear plan for checking unknown assets and how networks will ensure that only suitable materials are present in the network”. This includes our transmission pipelines.
Additionally for the marginal extra effort it would be prudent to ensure the completeness of our asset records is sufficient for us to either plan for the conversion to hydrogen or decommission sections as users switch to other heating technologies.
Biomethane Certificate Trading Platform
This project will deliver an initial assessment of the feasibility value and delivery options for an accessible biomethane certificate trading platform in the UK. The work will assess whether such a platform could reduce market friction increase participation and support growth in biomethane supply and demand.
Burst testing of internal sharp defect in hydrogen – conditioning investigation
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.
Hydrogen Condition and Test Effects (HCATE)
The Hydrogen Condition and Test Effect (HCATE) project will investigate the effect of moisture on fatigue crack growth rate (FCGR) and the influence of loading rate on fracture toughness of API 5L X52 pipeline steel in hydrogen environments. The project will generate experimental data to improve understanding of how environmental conditions influence crack propagation behaviour and fracture resistance in pipeline steels.
Laboratory-scale testing will be conducted on representative pipeline material in air and pressurised gaseous hydrogen environments including hydrogen saturated with water and hydrogen containing trace oxygen. These conditions are intended to simulate environmental conditions that may be present within pipeline systems.
Complementary fracture toughness testing will also be conducted at different loading rates to evaluate the influence of loading conditions on fracture resistance. The results will support the development of improved pipeline integrity assessments and contribute to the evidence base required for the safe repurposing of the UK Local Transmission System (LTS) for hydrogen transport.
Effects of Water Ingress in a Hydrogen Network
Wales & West Utilities is undertaking a major programme of change to support decarbonisation and deliver a Net Zero gas network. The primary objective of this project is to investigate the effects of water ingress within a 100% hydrogen network and a blended hydrogen/natural gas network. The goal is to determine whether the introduction of hydrogen into the gas network could cause any additional impacts when water ingress occurs and to compare these effects to those observed in the current natural gas network.
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.
Determining Future Energy Demand of B&R Team Vans with Full On-Board Power
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.
Biomethane Islands
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.
INNOVATIVE MONITORING AND CONTROL OF PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION
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.
AI-Driven Policy Transformation for Hydrogen Blending in Gas Distribution Networks
Development of an AI tool to implement an AI-Driven Policy Transformation for Hydrogen Blending in Gas Distribution Networks
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.
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.
Alternative to overhead/underground electricity cables
This project will consider what role the below ground gas network (new or repurposed) could play in transporting energy over long distances instead of electricity transmission and distribution upgrades. The project will help WWU understand how the use of the current or future gas system would compare to electricity infrastructure for long distance transmission and what factors could influence cross system decision making. The project will also create a comparison tool that allows users to compare case studies.
Hydrogen Combustion Engine Feasibility Study
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.
Commercial Vehicle Fleet – Development of Total Cost of Operation Model
Decarbonisation of UK transport and the related Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate requires companies to transition their commercial vehicle fleets to Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) or alternative new emerging technologies (e.g. FCEC). As an operational utility network with responsibility for public safety WWU’s fleet undergoes a more challenging and varied range of duty cycles than most commercial fleets includes vehicles that are required to provide on-site power and must be capable of meeting WWU’s statutory duty to respond quickly to Public Reported Escapes.
Within this challenging operational context WWU must deliver a fleet transition at the lowest feasible cost to assure value for money for our customers. This is further complicated by the need to plan the fleet transition while the associated technological and policy landscape continues to evolve in parallel. Although the learnings generated from the project will be specific to WWU’s fleet as a case study they will be applicable to any networks with an operational fleet.
To assure a cost-effective transition and derisk future operations WWU require a Total Cost of Operation (TCO) model. This will be specifically targeted at our particular operational context capable of assessing the costs and capabilities of a range of ZEV options and crucially must be easy for staff to adopt for internal use and update in the future as new data and/or technologies become available.
The purpose of this project is to provide WWU with a TCO model that addresses our specific operational requirements ensuring that plans and investment decisions will be grounded in real-world technology assessments and our operational fleet data.
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.
H2 Rail
This project will explore the feasibility of integrating hydrogen train refuelling infrastructure to support the development of a hydrogen rail network. This has particular relevance to our network as some of the UK’s hardest to electrify rail routes are situated in Wales and South West England. The project will focus on these hard to electrify routes exploring H2’s potential role in enabling their decarbonisation. If successful this project can help the WWU network to become a proving ground for real-world delivery of impactful H2 rail technology. It is expected to provide information which can be used in planning strategic hydrogen pipeline routes and network repurposing plans and support regional energy planning.
The Warmth of Community Phase Two
The Welsh housing stock is particularly old. One third of homes were built before 1919. Just 10% were built in the last 18 years (Better Homes Better Wales Better World report commissioned by Welsh Government as of 2019) the older housing stock may reduce comfort for homeowners without increasing their energy demand.
This project will look to explore the opportunities that may be provided utilising gas hybrid solutions and also looking to calculate the impact of such technologies on gas and electricity demand and subsequently how networks that feed the supplies can be operated in a flexible way to maximise network efficiency and support better whole systems thinking.
Net Zero Multi-Vector Assessment
This project will help Cadent to understand considerations for a Net Zero Multi-Vector at a town scale to inform future activity on preparation for repurposing. An area will be chosen which is representative of different networks housing stock and demographics which will require different approaches and engagement.
RTN modelling- Bio Methane
The UK 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 design modelling. Cadent’s current modelling relies on outdated assumptions and lacks the granular real-time demand insight needed for modern decarbonising gas networks. Existing tools cannot capture intra-day demand variability below-7-bar network complexity or the growing impact of biomethane injections—creating risks in planning operational decisions and reinforcement strategy.
RTN addresses these challenges by delivering accurate weather-adjusted consumer-level demand modelling and integrated analysis across pressure tiers. This enhances forecasting improves biomethane integration and strengthens model validation and operational control. In the future state RTN provides Cadent with a modern data-rich and automated modelling capability that reduces unnecessary reinforcement improves customer outcomes supports the energy transition and lays the foundation for potential future use in peak-demand modelling and regulatory engagement.
This programme is leveraging the data and learning from historic projects to develop a range of novel network modelling tools that will enable biogas designs to be informed consumer focused and optimised for localised conditions and demands.
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.