Net zero and the energy system transition
Gas Networks Evolution Simulator
The Gas Network Evolution Simulator (GNES) is an innovative project aimed at optimising the transition away from natural gas by using advanced Agent Based Modelling (ABM). GNES simulates the complex interactions between stakeholders such as Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs) Electricity Networks consumers and policymakers. It analyses economic social and environmental impacts of gas network decommissioning and explores new infrastructure opportunities. By identifying challenges and benefits GNES supports the development of cost-effective equitable solutions that support vulnerable populations ensuring a smooth transition to low-carbon energy sources while minimising consumer disruption and maximising network efficiency.
East Midlands Hydrogen Storage (EMStor)
UK’s Net Zero Emissions Target and the Role of Hydrogen: The UK has committed to a legally binding net zero emissions target by 2050. Achieving this target necessitates the integration of hydrogen particularly in hard-to-decarbonize industrial applications and peaking power generation. The recent publication of the Climate Change Committee’s Seventh Carbon Budget highlights hydrogen’s significant role within the electricity supply sector. Hydrogen is identified as a crucial source of long-term storable energy that can be dispatched as needed and as a feedstock for synthetic fuels. For hydrogen to fully contribute to a future hydrogen system its production storage and transportation must be considered collectively.
East Coast Hydrogen (ECH) Project: In recent years Cadent in partnership with National Gas and Northern Gas Networks (NGN) has developed the East Coast Hydrogen (ECH) Project. The ECH project aims to decarbonize primarily industry and power sectors. As part of this initiative Cadent has developed the East Midlands Hydrogen Pipeline (EMHP) which aims to connect hydrogen production at Uniper’s Ratcliffe on Soar site to major industrial and power off-takers in the East Midlands. The project seeks to transport hydrogen to major population centres including Nottingham Leicester Melton Mowbray Derby and Burton upon Trent. During the development of the EMHP it became evident that hydrogen storage plays a critical role in establishing a resilient and efficient hydrogen system. Consequently a consortium was formed to explore the feasibility of storage leading to the East Midlands Storage Project (EMSTOR).
Discovery Phase of EMSTOR: During the Discovery Phase EMSTOR evaluated various technologies for large-scale hydrogen storage in the East Midlands. The technologies considered included lined rock caverns lined rock shafts silos and geological storage options such as aquifers and disused hydrocarbon fields. After comparing these technologies against several technical parameters including Technology Readiness Level (TRL) cost size and location relative to pipelines it was determined that hydrogen storage in geological fields particularly disused hydrocarbon fields is the most viable option. Therefore disused hydrocarbon fields in geological formations were selected for further consideration in the Alpha Phase.
Alpha Phase Consortium: To execute the Alpha Phase a consortium led by Cadent and including Star Energy Ltd Centrica Energy Storage National Grid British Geological Society University of Edinburgh and Uniper was established. This consortium will focus on advancing the feasibility and implementation of hydrogen storage in disused hydrocarbon fields.
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.
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-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.
LISTEN – Local Insights Supporting Transparent Energy Networks
The LISTEN (Local Insights Supporting Transparent Energy Networks) project aims to create a scalable data-led approach to understanding and building social consent for the energy transition. LISTEN integrates AI-driven tools place-based engagement and co-designed dashboards to help energy networks plan with communities not just for them.
The platform brings together four core elements:
- Regional Dashboards: Visualising insights by geography topic and demographics to inform planning and engagement strategies.
- Multi-Source Data Capture: Synthesising local news social media planning documents and community events for a holistic view of local feeling.
- Voice-Enabled Surveys: Capturing authentic community sentiment in people’s own words with AI sentiment analysis assessing tone confidence and emotion.
- Tailored Recommendations: Providing SGN and partners with actionable insights and engagement strategies aligned with Ofgem’s fairness and consumer-centric priorities.
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 bio gas designs to be informed consumer focused and optimised for localised conditions and demands.
H2 Housing Design
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.
IGEM TD1 / TD13 Hydrogen Supplements Review
IGEM have received requests from operators to update the hydrogen TD1 / TD13 supplements to take account of outputs from research projects. The project will review and assess the updates required based on findings from completed hydrogen research projects. This will support the repurposing of existing pipelines and installations from Natural Gas to hydrogen and Natural Gas/hydrogen blends with input and support from users/stakeholders and formal approval by IGEM.
The project will also develop a methodology for fracture and fatigue assessments for existing Natural Gas pipelines to be repurposed to hydrogen service. This methodology will assess the impact of blends of hydrogen up to and including 100% hydrogen to determine whether pipeline derating and/or deblending is required. The requirements for the application of this specification should be included in the updates to the IGEM/TD/1 and IGEM/TD/13 hydrogen supplements.
Sustainable Vehicle Transport
The Sustainable Vehicle Transport (SVT) feasibility study project will undertake a green gas refuelling study specific to SGN’s network areas in Scotland and Southern incorporating biomethane in the form of bio-CNG and the potential for a future hydrogen option. Along with heat transport is a key sector to decarbonise on the journey to net zero. Battery electric vehicles are well suited to small vehicles but for heavy goods vehicles (HGV) and larger commercial vehicles (LCV) like the type that make up the majority of SGN’s operational fleet this may not be the most appropriate technology given the range and on-board power requirements.
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.
Fairer Warmth Hub
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.
Knapton H2 Storage for H2P Discovery
Knapton Hydrogen Storage for Hydrogen to Power Discovery phase will investigate options for medium and large-scale storage of hydrogen to enable Centrica’s H2P project at Knapton via energy asset re-purposing the flexible use of hydrogen in the region for industrial decarbonisation and infrastructure scale up opportunities to provide resilience for the proposed East Coast Hydrogen core H2 network in North Yorkshire.
Future Operability of Gas for System Integration (FOGSI) Alpha
The project will develop an integrated hierarchical network modelling framework for simulating the operation of future GB energy system scenarios with highly interconnected gas and power networks. The realistic modelling of power-to-gas and storage operators’ behaviour will be emphasised. The integrated models will be demonstrated on a simulation platform as real-time digital twins for future system scenarios.
Considerable novelty will lie in the combination of modelling scale and granularity; representation of many autonomous decentralised agents making sub-optimal decisions; and the optimal resolution of dilemmas arising from the finite energy budgets constraining primarily weather-driven low to zero carbon scenarios.
Flexible Gas Transition Plant – Phase 1 Feasibility Study
Analysis of the distribution networks undertaken in the H2 Caledonia and H2 Connect projects has identified sectorisation isolation as the optimal approach for conversion. Sectorisation isolation allows for a sector-by-sector approach ensuring the gradual conversion of existing Natural Gas connections over to hydrogen or managing the disconnection process should customers opt for alternative heating solutions. This project will aim to develop an understanding of the technical and financial feasibility of a Flexible Gas Transition Plant (FGTP) through primary project outputs such as: outline of design options development of a list of transition use cases a cost benefit analysis (CBA) for each transition scenario and a roadmap for future phases including prototype design and trials.
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.
LPG to Biomethane Conversion
Wales & West Utilities (WWU) is undertaking a major programme of change to support decarbonisation and deliver a Net Zero gas network. This project explores the potential conversion of LPG networks within WWU to biomethane as a pathway to decarbonisation. The initiative is driven by the challenge of replacing LPG in rural off-grid communities where previous alternatives—such as hydrogen blending or full electrification—face significant technical storage and infrastructure constraints.
Energy Explorers
We The Curious is an educational charity and science centre with a vision for a future where everyone is included curious and inspired by science to build a better world. For 25 years We The Curious have welcomed over 300000 visitors annually and have engaged more than 65000 school children through hands-on science experiences every year.
We The Curious is celebrating its 25th birthday by developing a new sustainability themed area of its science centre. This project with WWU aims to inspire thousands of people of all ages to explore how different energy sources work in different contexts – sparking curiosity building confidence and empowering communities to take part in a fair low-carbon transition.
The exhibit will help visitors of all ages discover the different renewable sources of energy understand how they work and explore why a balanced mix of energy solutions is essential to transition away from fossil fuels. Designed as a social and collaborative experience with multiple interaction points the exhibit will highlight that shaping a sustainable energy future requires teamwork – across technologies communities and generations.
Understanding Consumer Behaviours for a Just Energy Transition
This project will deliver independent evidence‑based research on consumer behavioural insights relating to domestic heat sources during the energy system transition. It comprises four work packages (WP0–WP4) that build on one another to create tangible outputs for WWU and other Network Licensees: desk research and gap analysis (WP1) SME engagement and sentiment analysis (WP2) consumer research including a 4000‑respondent survey user‑journey mapping and CIVS insights (WP3) and integration of insights through decision trees synthetic population modelling and cost‑benefit analysis (WP4).