Hydrogen MOBs Standards and Procedures Phase 4

Completed

Energy Efficiency(Residential and commercial)
Hydrogen and Fuel Cells(Hydrogen, Other infrastructure and systems R&D)

Applied Research and Development

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Architecture and the Built Environment)

Not Cross-cutting

Project Contact
SGN

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 October 2023

30 June 2024

ENA months

£97,332

Energy

South East

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, SGN

Project Contact, SGN - Scotland

This phase of the project will solve the problem by:1. Producing a set of recommendations for an interim standard for hydrogen in MOBs:This will be drafted in the form of an IGEM/G/5 hydrogen supplement, to be read in parallel with IGEM/G/5 edition 3. The supplement will outline the differences in the design, installation, operation, inspection and maintenance of gas installations for multi-occupancy buildings between hydrogen and natural gas. This will be based on findings from WP1, WP2 and WP3 of this programme of work. The supplement will be drafted as a working document at an early stage in the project, to be updated as information from WP3 becomes available.2. Producing a draft procedure for MOBs conversion:A conversion procedure for MOBs will be produced, including a process flow chart. This procedure will draw on the learnings from previous phases of the project and will be drafted as a working document at an early stage in the project, to be updated as information from Phase 3 becomes available. The procedure will be drafted using a template to be provided by SGN. At this stage the requirement for detailed work procedures is unknown, and these will need to be scoped and developed at a later stage.The conversion procedure will include:A conversion process flow chartPre conversion desk top review requirementsPre-conversion survey requirements to assess the suitability of existing gas installations including network capacity, network riser design and condition, materials, jointing method, ventilation, meter location, allowance for expansion and contraction, electrical safety and fire protection measures.Overall suitability for conversion, including any required modificationsThe above information can be used when considering a cost benefit analysis. The recommendations for an interim standard and onsite procedures will apply to all MOBs in the Great Britain. For this project a MOB is defined as a building that contains three or more domestic dwellings and/or commercial units with one or more meter points within the building. Produce a set of recommendations for an interim standard for hydrogen in MOBs:Produce a draft procedure for MOBs conversion.

There is a requirement for gas distribution network (GDN) operators to understand the cost, safety, and practicality of converting network pipelines from natural gas to hydrogen in Multi-Occupancy Buildings (MOBs). This phase of the project will produce recommendations to IGEM for an interim standard and procedures for MOB conversion to hydrogen. This will act as Phase 4 of the project in the ongoing MOBs project to investigate the conversion of MOBs from natural gas to hydrogen use, building on findings from Phases 1, 2 and 3 of the project.

02/10/24