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Reference Number	NIA_WWU_034
Title	Leakage Sealant Standards
Status	Completed
Energy Categories	Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal(Oil and Gas, Refining, transport and storage of oil and gas) 100%;
Research Types	Applied Research and Development 100%
Science and Technology Fields	PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Chemistry) 50%; PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Metallurgy and Materials) 25%; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 25%;
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation	Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator	Project Contact No email address given Wales and West Utilities
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 November 2016
End Date	01 February 2018
Duration	15 months
Total Grant Value	£120,000
Industrial Sectors	Technical Consultancy
Region	Wales
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , Wales and West Utilities (99.997%)
	Other Investigator	Project Contact , Northern Gas Networks (0.001%) Project Contact , Cadent Gas (0.001%) Project Contact , SGN (0.001%)
Web Site	http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_WWU_034
Objectives	To develop and deliver a new combined standard utilising new or alternative test methodologies to allow for the cost effective assessment and implementation of leakage sealants across all UK gas distribution networks. Production of a new Leakage Sealant Standard that has been accepted and approved by both GDNs and manufacturers as being technically acceptable, cost effective and practical to implement.
Abstract	The Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs) maintain a suite of Gas Industry Standards that specify the requirements of parts or materials that are to be utilised on the gas network. These standards generally specify the testing requirements and associated performance that materials must be subjected and adhere to before they will be approved for use on the network. One of these suites of standards - Leakage Sealants (see method below for a list of Standards contained within this suite) is in need of significant update as the test methodologies currently detailed within these standards are prohibitively expensive or impossible for manufacturers to comply with. Practically this means that possible new suppliers are restricted from entering the market with new products as they cannot be tested to the appropriate Gas Industry Standard. This also limits potential innovation in developing new products with improved performance over existing solutions. The limiting of new entrants or technologies to the market in this manner also may lead to the cost of the approved sealants being artificially high. The alternative is that GDNs accept uncertified products onto their network; this would present significant risk to the networks that may not be able to subsequently demonstrate the effectiveness of the sealant solutions. Innovative new test techniques are required that demonstrate a products effectiveness to the satisfaction of GDNs whilst also being cost efficient for the manufacturer This should enable more competition and innovation to enter what is a significantly sized market and should therefore generate savings that could be passed on to the consumer. The project will be delivered through the research and development of new or alternative test techniques to be conducted alongside an in depth review of the current suite of leakage sealant (LC) standards with a view to; apply research to the current suite of standards to acquire new technical knowledge;; Research and review new, innovative and alternative test methodologies that may be developed or utilised to demonstrate the effectiveness of the sealant solutions; Draft up new requirements and test methodologies that can be applied to a new combined standardThis will be done with input from and consultation with the relevant stakeholders - to include the GDNs and manufacturers.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	10/09/18