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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA2_SGN0012
Title	Recommissioning Grangemouth to Granton
Status	Completed
Energy Categories	Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal(Oil and Gas, Refining, transport and storage of oil and gas) 20%; Hydrogen and Fuel Cells(Hydrogen, Hydrogen transport and distribution) 80%;
Research Types	Applied Research and Development 100%
Science and Technology Fields	ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 100%
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation	Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator	Project Contact No email address given SGN - Southern England
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 November 2021
End Date	01 November 2022
Duration	ENA months
Total Grant Value	£226,334
Industrial Sectors	Energy
Region	South East
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , SGN - Southern England (99.999%)
	Other Investigator	Project Contact , SGN - Scotland (0.001%)
	Industrial Collaborator	Project Contact , SGN (0.000%)
Web Site	https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA2_SGN0012
Objectives	The project will cover 3 main workstreams, outlined below:A recommissioning feasibility study for the Grangemouth to Granton pipeline identifying specific requirements and constraints of the pipeline to produce a strategy for carrying out the In Line Inspection (ILI).A feasibility study into uprating of LTS pipelines for distribution of 100% hydrogen. The study will involve an assessment of current design factors for existing LTS pipelines and provide the potential scope to increase pressure of individual pipelines, developing a checklist to identify factors which must be assessed in order to determine whether the increase in pressure is acceptable and completes the viability control stage defined in IGEM/TD/1 standard. Completion of above ground surveys of the Grangemouth to Granton pipeline to assess integrity of the pipeline and potential to repurpose the pipeline to hydrogen. The scope of work includes the following: In Line Inspection Initial Vendor Capability Assessment Review pig dynamics and performance of current inspection tools in low pressure, low flow gas lines, including track record.Review potential for improving low pressure low flow capabilities of ILI tools in gas linesReview of operation of ILI tools in liquid / water slugsWork Package 1: Review implications of using various mediums for ILI including: Compressed air SuLiquid Assessment Full pipeline Liquid Assessment Each option will be reviewed including considerations for flow, data accuracy with each option and practicalities (e.g. water required for an ILI and engagement of waste water with SEPA). Work Package 2: Design / construction / operational reviewReview pipeline design / construction records to establish any limiting factors for future inline inspection, e.g. bends, tees etc. Consider wet gas history.Work Package 3: Document future operational requirementsDocument pressure / flow characteristics (nominal and minimum) and potential hydrogen useWork Package 4: Specify ILI requirements Output from (1) and (2) used to define ILI requirements, e.g. flow characteristics (use of air compressors), bend / tee configurations, technology requirements (pipeline grade assessment / MFL etc) Work Package 5: Pipeline route safety evaluation Review pipeline encroachment details (provided by SGN) and qualitatively assess risk. Include review of HSE SD Hydrogen assessmentWork Package 6: Vendor ILI assessment Assess ILI capabilities vs SGN ILI requirements (3) and recommend ILI strategy to SGN.Work Package 7: Cost benefit analysis Support SGN conducting cost benefit analysis implications throughout study for all options of compressed air/water slug/full line water.Work Package 8: Technical reporting of above tasksWork Package 9: Feasibility study for pipeline ammonia transportation options/technical issuesUprating LTS pipeline assessmentAnalysis of UKOPA pipeline data for each LTS network to identify current design factor of each pipeline section for the following networks:Cadent (East Anglia, East Midlands, North West, North London and West Midlands)NGNSGN (Scotland, Southern)WWUFrom this data, a calculation of the pressure for each pipeline at design factor of 0.3 and 0.5 will be made. An assessment on any limiting factors preventing uprating will also be made i.e. excessive cost, disruption etc. A checklist will be developed for completion of the IGEM/TD/1 viability control stage. Above ground surveys Above ground surveys of the pipeline to understand pipeline integrity and potential to repurpose for hydrogen service.  The objectives of the project are to develop a recommissioning strategy of the mothballed Grangemouth to Granton pipeline to be repurposed for hydrogen service. Above ground surveys and in line inspection will provide an understanding of the integrity of the pipeline and provide knowledge of the viability for hydrogen conveyance utilising similar LTS pipelines in future. A high-level assessment of potential LTS uprating to minimise linepack capacity losses with transition from natural gas will also be a key output of the project that will provide understanding on safe, future network operation for hydrogen.
Abstract	All future energy modelling identifies a role for hydrogen in providing decarbonised energy. A key element of transition to hydrogen is to evidence the enduring use of LTS assets and pipelines. The Grangemouth to Granton pipeline has been earmarked as part of the LTS Futures project to be repurposed for hydrogen. The pipeline provides an excellent representation of GB LTS pipelines. The project will provide key learning on recommissioning existing LTS pipelines to hydrogen, in addition to understanding potential uprating of LTS pipelines to improve linepack capacity with transition to 100% hydrogen from natural gas.
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	02/11/22