Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NIA_NGGD0049 | |
| Title | Pressure to Gas (Phase 2) | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electric power conversion) 25%; Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal(Oil and Gas, Refining, transport and storage of oil and gas) 75%; |
|
| 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 Cadent Gas |
|
| Award Type | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Funding Source | Ofgem | |
| Start Date | 01 December 2014 | |
| End Date | 01 April 2015 | |
| Duration | 4 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £99,733 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Technical Consultancy | |
| Region | London | |
| Programme | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , Cadent Gas (100.000%) |
| Web Site | http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_NGGD0049 |
|
| Objectives | This proof of concept will be divided into two main work streams. Technology review The objective of this work package is to understand what information is already available, how mature the technology is (TRL level) and to get an approximate feel for the cost of the equipment. Commercial and financial review The objective of this work package is to understand, given the costs and technical risks, how attractive is this technology, will the regulator support its introduction and what ownership models will work best for the network. The success of the initial feasibility study has acted as a precursor to prove the ability for demonstration projects in the UK and potentially the programmed rollout of many such installations once the project is proven successful. To allow this decision to be made, Amec will produce a report which will highlight;Recommendation of sites appropriate sites where technology may be appliedBreakdown of costs to install equipment and maintainThe derived benefits, financial and non-financialA decision can then be made as to whether a field trial would be beneficial and highlight the possibility of success into a programmed roll out. | |
| Abstract | The UK gas industry is presently wasting significant amounts of potential energy during pressure reduction. Recovering this energy has been looked at in the past and there have been barriers to its adoption. Natural gas in the UK is inputted at high pressure into the National Transmission System (NTS) with the aid of compressors. It is then transported to major consumers and Local Distribution Zones (LDZs). Typically the gas passes through three pressure tiers, high, medium, and low pressure before it reduces from 60-80 bar down to household mbar pressure. It is estimated that within the grid, there are many MW of accessible mechanical energy from gas expansion. This energy is mainly lost at Pressure Reducing Stations and there is a potential for the energy to be recovered using turbines which generate electricity. This process has been established for many years; however, one of the remaining challenges is the effective utilisation of the electricity generated. ITM Power has developed a new concept that looks to overcome some of the barriers based on new high efficiency electrolysers. The concept is that the energy from the pressure reduction process is converted to electricity and immediately converted to hydrogen gas for reinjection into the gas grid. This is an elegant and self-contained solution, which could potentially be used in any gas network provided certain controls are in place. The proposed system is potentially a very efficient method with green credentials. The developed levels of injected hydrogen are relatively small considering the high gas flows and thought not to present a significant gas quality issue with the correct controls in place. All the component technologies required to build a Pressure-to-Gas plant are mature and therefore the combined technical risk is low. The feasibility report delivered by AMEC in June 2014 has shown that this technology is technically possible and early indications are that it is commercially viable. On this basis, National Grid Gas Distribution wishes to proceed with further funding a development which will result in field trials at three sites. This proposal is for AMEC to develop a business case in conjunction with ITM Power. The main deliverables are to provide National Grid with the appropriate information cost, benefit, implementation opportunities and recommendations to form the decision of three field trials that would be either NIA/NIC fundable projects. Formulate a business case to support a NIA/NIC field trial. It will quantify the size of the opportunity and rough idea of a roll out planShow the financial return with a confidence of +/- 15%It will identify other non-financial benefitsDescribe how National Grid would manage any risks raisedMake clear recommendationsNote : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 26/10/18 | |
