Net zero and the energy system transition
Net Zero Safety & Ignition Risk
National Gas are investigating the use of the National Transmission System to transport hydrogen and hydrogen blends. To support this research and testing is required to understand the risks of high pressure hydrogen transmission including ignition. This project will identify for 100% hydrogen and blends of hydrogen up to 20% the sources of ignition including how the distance of ignition sources affects the likelihood of ignition. It will also investigate the frequency and the different types of ignition events e.g. jet fires. Lastly it will look at the probability of ignition on sites and in pipework.
Project Volta
This project will undertake testing on technology for distributed production of low carbon hydrogen from natural gas biogas or other short chain hydrocarbons from waste. Which uses 90% less electricity than electrolysis of water and with 68% lower total energy costs.
The project will support early movers and convert gas from our network into a low carbon hydrogen solution. The compact and modular deployment of the technology enables hydrogen production systems to be installed directly at the energy user's site. These systems convert grid-supplied natural gas to hydrogen on demand eliminating the need for additional infrastructure or on-site hydrogen storage and leaves the rest of the network unaffected
HyBlend II
This project assembles a multi-laboratory team to address high-priority research topics identified by industry related to the blending of hydrogen into the U.S. natural gas pipeline network. PRCI has been contracted by DOE to provide contract and invoicing support which allows additional members to join after project start.
There were four main activities being performed in Phase 1 of the CRADA project that fell under two categories: materials research and analysis. Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) led the materials research on metals which is primarily used for natural gas transmission while Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) headed the research on polymeric materials which comprise the natural gas distribution network. Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) was responsible for life-cycle analysis while the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) performed techno-economic analysis on hydrogen blending scenarios the work on these subjects will be extended in Phase 2.
Project GaIN
As the UK attempts to decarbonise residential heat to meet net zero by 2050 electric heat pumps along with heat networks are expected to play a key role. However it is generally accepted that no one technology will be able to meet the needs of all households. If we are to deliver affordable low- carbon heating in the residential sector we shall need as wide a range of technology options as possible to overcome the economic and technical challenges facing every customer.
Project GaIN (Gathering Insights) will explore alternatives to heat pumps and heat networks which can utilise the robust gas network and benefit from its current upgrade programme supporting the aims of DESNZ’s decarbonisation of heat roadmap. The project will discover and assess additional technology options where alternative solutions might be more costly or difficult to deliver; this will include LAEP system benefits as well as localised CAPEX and OPEX costs.
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.
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.
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.
H2 Site Safety Systems
This project will examine the suitability of existing Fire and Gas (F&G) detection and suppression systems for use with hydrogen blends of up to 20%. These systems comprise: fire detection fire suppression gas detection and associated control systems. They are found in compressor cabs and at network terminals.
Through CFD modelling three representative F&G systems will be individually assessed for compatibility with blends and will then be used as examples to make comments on the suitability of other F&G systems on the network. Where assets or control systems are not suitable this project will not design a new system but recommend where changes should be made and demonstrate how those changes safely manage risk – including cost estimation for upgrade or retrofit.
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.
Domestic Air Ingress Mitigations
This project will help to provide assurance to UK Gas Distribution Network Operators (GDNOs) and wider industry on the safe design of domestic gas appliances in a future where hydrogen is being distributed in network pipelines. A risk to the normal safe operation of appliances under 100% hydrogen operation exists where a flammable hydrogen/air mixture is supplied to the appliance creating the potential for flashback to occur within the gas installation pipework. This work will provide assurance that domestic appliances designed to operate on 100% hydrogen are designed in a way which do not enable flashback to occur.
The project will also investigate the long-term feasibility of installing an auto-locking Emergency Control Valve (ECV) at the end of 100% hydrogen networks to ensure that any reinstatement of supply after a period of isolation can only be undertaken by a competent gas engineer.
Hydrogen device trials
In order to support UK ambitions for hydrogen blending and the development of a hydrogen economy National Gas will need to install new gas chromatographs with the capability to measure hydrogen up to 20% in a natural gas blend. At present hydrogen is not measured anywhere on the National Transmission System (NTS) and therefore there are no proven in-use devices and limited experience within the company to allow effective decision making in deploying these assets in the move towards net zero.
In order to make informed decisions ahead of chromatograph fleet upgrade and to allow for a wide selection of reliable device choices when it comes to that upgrade National Gas require the testing of available devices to analyse their performance and thus suitability for NTS installation. This project will employ a trusted testing house to obtain (through loaning) blend-ready chromatographs from suppliers and then to rigorously examine the performance of those devices. These devices could be tested at the testing house’s site or at the instrument vendor’s site.
Net Zero Impact on Wider Network Contents
This project aims to explore the impact of hydrogen blends (in natural gas) 100% hydrogen and carbon dioxide on contaminants (arisings) likely to be found in gas transmission pipelines (e.g. Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORMs) dusts mill scale welding slag glycols water BTEX methanol heavy metals sulphur compounds pyrophorics as well as rotating machinery lube/seal oils and valve sealants etc).
The project will aim to understand the current composition and characteristics of any contaminants the impact of hydrogen and carbon dioxide on the behaviour/composition/presence of contaminants establish how long methane related contaminants will persist on the network (for repurposed pipelines) the potential for contaminants to cause pipeline gas to go ‘off-spec’ and the implications of contaminant interactions on National Transmission System (NTS) operation/integrity.
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.
Fatigue Rig Destructive Testing
High pressure steel pipelines are essential in enabling a safe natural gas transportation network an overly engineered solution tried and tested over several decades proving the NTS to be a robust nationwide asset. The National Transmission System is used to flow gas every day to keep the lights on and our homes heated by connecting large scale industry cities and towns where the network is dynamic allowing for flexibility and adaptability to various flow demand scenarios. This is done so by utilising over 5000 miles of varying grades and differing sizes of pipelines where the gas can flow build line pack for high energy demand areas and provide a mass energy storage solution.
The NTS is used to limit gas loss manage flow direction facilitate maintenance repair modification testing and commissioning to enable safe and effective start-up and shutdown of our pipelines. We now must further evidence pipeline steel material integrity when subjected to high pressure hydrogen gas this can be done by expanding upon the existing fatigue rig standalone testing at DNV Spadeadam.
Although some pipelines materials that we use today have seen blends and 100% hydrogen within the HYNTS Phase 1 test facility what we have not done is post hydrogen fatigue cycling non destructive testing of materials that have been subject to prolonged high pressure hydrogen. One of the welds that make up the fatigue rig has a known weld defect within it NGT aims to have the welds and the weld defect analysed through various methods of testing such as magnetic particle inspection followed by if necessary standard ultrasonic testing.
In 2022 small scale mechanical characteristic tests were conducted to characterise the mechanical properties of the materials used within the construction of the fatigue rig this testing commenced outputting a standard mechanical property data set the new end of test data post hydrogen exposure will be compared to the original data set from 2022 at the end of fatigue cycling. Testing will establish the effect of trapped hydrogen on ‘standard’ mechanical properties measured To facilitate this DNV will remove all girth welds selected seam welds and fitting welds and store them at low temperature to mitigate loss of hydrogen from within the trap sites..
A technical note will be prepared comparing the results of the weld inspections (internal and external inspections). The note will be used to confirm defect removal for metallographic examination.
A technical report will be prepared summarising the macro and microscopic examinations undertaken confirming defect size (to that reported by UT) and whether the defect was an original feature else created due to the pressure cycle duty of the test vessel and the hydrogen environment.
Understanding the value of remote detectors
The statistical ‘value’ (i.e. risk reduction and cost) of remote hydrogen detectors has been determined through statistical based projects as part of the hydrogen heating programme (HHP). The cost has been shown to outweigh the risk however given hydrogen is not a mature heating solution the cost can be justified in response to risk appetite from key stakeholders such as consumers. This risk appetite is assumed. There is currently no analysis (qualitative or quantitative) into consumers attitudes towards the ‘value’ of remote detectors. This project will begin to explore the perception of risk reduction from remote detectors to be used to compliment the statistical based analysis to paint a fuller picture towards the utilisation and crucially the value of remote detectors.
Welding Residual Stress Measurements and Analysis for Gas Pipelines
This project concerns the research into welding residual stress values and the effect that they have on the overall pipework repurposing assessment route described in relevant hydrogen standards. Currently overly conservative values need to be applied for welding residual stresses in any repurposing assessment. This project aims to build evidence on actual and modelled residual stresses seen within the pipelines industries with a focus on natural gas pipelines. As the welding residual stress is a critical aspect of the fracture mechanics assessment any improvements which can be gained would have an overall positive impact on the assessment results.
HyProximity
This project aims to develop a robust evidence-based framework to support the introduction of standardised separation distance tables for 100% hydrogen similar in format and function to those in IGEM/TD/3 for natural gas and hydrogen blends. This will address a gap in current standards for hydrogen. The Institute of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM) are providing resource to support the project and to update any necessary standards.
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.
Catalysing Biomethane Growth in the UK
This project constitutes a UK-wide strategic assessment of the policy and regulatory frameworks governing biomethane production and grid injection with the objective of identifying how these frameworks can be updated to unlock growth. The review will examine the current policy landscape support mechanisms and regulatory arrangements affecting biomethane development including uncertainties associated with existing schemes and fragmented governance structures.