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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_WWU_2_03
Title	SWIC Market-Accelerating Hydrogen Distribution and Storage
Status	Completed
Energy Categories	Hydrogen and Fuel Cells(Hydrogen, Hydrogen storage) 50%; Hydrogen and Fuel Cells(Hydrogen, Hydrogen transport and distribution) 50%;
Research Types	Applied Research and Development 100%
Science and Technology Fields	ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 100%
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation	Systems Analysis related to energy R&D 60%; Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Policy and regulation) 10%; Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Other sociological economical and environmental impact of energy) 30%;
Principal Investigator	Project Contact No email address given Wales and West Utilities
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 August 2021
End Date	31 January 2022
Duration	ENA months
Total Grant Value	£46,667
Industrial Sectors	Energy
Region	Wales
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , Wales and West Utilities (100.000%)
	Industrial Collaborator	Project Contact , Wales and West Utilities (0.000%)
Web Site	https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA_WWU_2_03
Objectives	Alternative forms of hydrogen storage and transport could be considered to support the phased conversion of the gas network to transport hydrogen blends, in advance of transition to a fully decarbonised 100% hydrogen network. These alternatives include storage and transport and distribution of hydrogen as: Compressed gaseous hydrogen – stored in high pressure tubes (300-500 barg for transport, up to 1000 barg for static storage)Liquefied hydrogen – stored at cryogenic temperatures and near atmospheric pressure in insulated containersLiquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHC) – stored via hydrogenation of organic liquids, stored and transported using standard infrastructure for oil productsAmmonia – catalytic synthesis of ammonia, stored and transported as liquid using standard infrastructure for ammonia or LPG Localised small-scale hydrogen generation and storage could accelerate deployment and availability of hydrogen supply, which will in turn support demand increase by new use in transport (Hydrogen Refuelling Stations, HRS) and fuel switching, mainly for heat generation. This could be eitherSmall-scale Steam Methane Reforming (SMR), using either (a) natural gas from the grid or (b) biomethane as feedstock. CO2 utilisation would be necessary to consider decarbonisation benefits, including negative emissions from biomethane use.Electrolysis, using either (a) electricity from grid or (b) surplus renewable electricity.Dedicated renewable electricity supplyCost reduction is critical, aiming to exploit benefits of economies of scale, installation of low-cost standardised modular skids (e.g. dehydrogenation or ammonia cracking plus purification, electrolysis/purification/compression/storage/dispenser HRS modules), heat integration with other processes, reusability of facilities (e.g. for relocation in the transitional period to other parts of the network), etc. The technical and economic feasibility of these alternative forms of hydrogen supply will need to be evaluated in consideration of the particular regional circumstances, including the type, volume, profile and regional dispersion of demand.Compared to distribution of hydrogen via pipelines, these alternatives could be expected to have a lower CAPEX but a higher OPEX and potentially a higher cost of hydrogen delivered, but it would allow a faster deployment given the relatively lower capital and potentially financing requirement compared to pipeline infrastructure projects, plus the potential availability of commercial processing units and the possibility to use existing storage and transport infrastructure. Data Quality StatementData used in the analysis will mainly consist of end consumer (residential, industrial, commercial and transport) energy demand (electricity, gas) using data and methods established in current best industry practice (such as Future Energy Scenarios), with demand developed from actual historical demand data and peer reviewed modelling methodologies plus input from stakeholders for forecasts. The latter represent the best view for demand and supply over the short-term and future scenarios (including potential energy supply forms and contribution) will reflect uncertainties around this view, projecting beyond the first years all the way out to 2050. Network modelling will be based on best industry practice using established modelling tools. In addition to the main deliverables in the form of technical reports providing the analysis and interpretation of results and recommendations, input and output data and models will be passed to Wales & West Utilities at project completion for custody, to support subsequent phases and for audit (as and if necessary). Measurement Quality StatementFor the purposes of traceability and reliability of results, data and methods employed will be based on established best practice regarding data sources and methodologies/tools, which are expected to meet the Data Quality objectives without the need for additional audits. This is particularly applicable given the expected level of detail of the study (high level / feasibility) and associated accuracy of results (moderate), which will be used to support early strategy planning, for which a degree of uncertainty is acceptable. For the purposes of comparability of results, the feasibility study will validate input data and output results against published reports and sources to demonstrate compatibility and validity of assumptions and results, clearly identifying the potential reasons for discrepancies or deviation from the assumptions or results, the conditions for which the results are valid and the sensitivity to assumptions. The project is rated low in the common assessment framework detailed in the ENIP document after assessing the total project value, the progression through the TRL levels, the number of project delivery partners and the low level of data assumptions. No additional peer review is required for this project. Establishing Project BasisDuring the Kick-off Meeting and early in the development of the work, the project design basis will be defined and agreed as either provided by WWU, assumptions advised by Costain or jointly defined and agreed.Definition of project design basis include:Study objectives, stakeholder requirementsDesign and functional requirementsOperating / design cases / scenariosNetwork scope / Geographical areaDemand scenarios and demand predictions/assumptions, from NIA project “Assessment of Wales & West Utilities Pipeline Infrastructure to Support the Supply of Hydrogen Within the South Wales Industrial Cluster” to be developed in parallel to this study, as part of the WWU scope in SWIC, plus alignment with other strategic work (e.g. Net Zero South Wales, Regional Future Energy Scenarios, SWIC plans).Review of Alternative Forms of Hydrogen Storage and TransportReview forms of hydrogen supply – transport and storage (alternatives to supply via pipelines) with potential for the South Wales region, including compressed and liquefied hydrogen, LOHC and ammonia. Evaluation to review and summarise for comparison purposes, general/typical performance, costs and identify challenges and implications (technical, economic, safety, environmental, planning, etc.) for the alternative supply chain including requirements at the point of production, transport and point of useWork to include: Literature review of recent reviews and feasibility assessment, including gap analysisCostains previous project experience on techno-economic evaluation of forms of hydrogen storage and transport, applied to the South Wales regionInformation from early engagement with Technology Providers (particularly on LOHC)Available outcomes from HySCALE NIA study on LOHC and applicability to the South Wales regionReview of Options for Localised Hydrogen ProductionReview forms of hydrogen supply – localised small-scale production (alternatives to supply via pipelines) with potential for the South Walesregion, including electrolysis and SMR, plus any other emerging technology. Evaluation to review and summarise for comparison purposes, general/typical performance, costs and identify challenges and implications (technical, economic, safety, environmental, planning, etc.) for the alternative supply chain including requirements at the point of production, transport and point of useWork to include: Literature review of recent reviews and feasibility assessment, including gap analysisCostains previous project experience on techno-economic evaluation of forms of hydrogen storage and transport, applied to the South Wales regionInformation from previous or early engagement with Technology Providers, particularly electrolyser packages and SMR units (including purification)Evaluation of Viability of Alternative Forms of Hydrogen Supply Against DemandIdentify the range of capacities (hydrogen volumes) that could be viable for supply of alternative forms, including physical, economic and planning constraints.Evaluate feasibility of alternative forms of hydrogen supply to provide the volumes of hydrogen required by region and the implications in terms of capacity (size, footprint) and costs (implications of not exploiting economies of scale) – evaluation against regional energy demand scenarios for South Wales (ambition for hydrogen supply).Identify magnitude of potential demand that cannot be met by early hydrogen infrastructure (dedicated pipelines or as gas blends) and in consideration of regional dispersion in South Wales for heat (including domestic, commercial, and industrial) and transport (refuelling stations) use and for off-grid users.Determine regional applicability of alternative forms of hydrogen supply and define representative case scenarios for which there appears to be potential. These cases will be considered in more detailed techno-economic evaluationTechno-economic Evaluation of Alternative Forms of Hydrogen Supply Against Representative CasesFor representative case scenarios defined and agreed (based on viable demand):Develop representative concept designs for localised small scale hydrogen production and for conversion-transport-reconversion facilities.Evaluate technical requirements (unit size, footprint, traffic movements, utility requirements).Outline footprint and utilities requirements and identify safety and environmental implications impacting planning applicationsDevelop outline cost estimates, calculate specific hydrogen supply costs  Technical Report Review Deliverables A Technical Report will be produced, incorporating the design elements described in the previous section. There is a lot of ongoing work to identify the most effective route to meet net zero in the UK and this project is one of many projects to evidence the major or minor role hydrogen will have in different scenarios. Repurposing the UK gas networks with hydrogen to support the challenge of the climate change act has the potential to save £millions with minimal gas customer disruption verses alternative decarbonisation solutions To develop a study to assess the potential for localised small scale hydrogen generation and the hydrogen transport, distribution and storage supply chain (excluding hydrogen production) for alternative forms of hydrogen transport and storage.
Abstract	A project to evaluate market-accelerating hydrogen distribution and storage options to connect large scale production with demand as an alternative to gas network development
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	19/10/22