Hydrogen Village Safety Framework

Completed

Hydrogen and Fuel Cells(Hydrogen)

Applied Research and Development

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting

Project Contact
Cadent Central

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 July 2022

31 December 2022

ENA months

£26,330

Energy

West Midlands

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, Cadent Central

Project Contact, Northern Gas Network (NGN) North East
Project Contact, SGN - Southern England
Project Contact, SGN - Scotland
Project Contact, Wales and West Utilities

Project Contact, Northern Gas Networks
Project Contact, SGN
Project Contact, Cadent Gas

The principle methods used in this work include:- Reviewing the existing Safety Case for natural gas today and suggesting where changes will be required for a hydrogen safety case- Looking at current and completed learning from hydrogen projects. This can include projects such as HyDeploy, H21 and any learning from H100. - Engaging with industry experts, in particular HSE, but also individuals within BEIS and Ofgem, to discuss and hopefully reach agreement with the proposed Safety Case Framework will be an important part of the project.  The scope of this project is: 1. The recommended structure of the safety case should be provided which will include all relevant elements of the trial.This should recognise that for the hydrogen village trial, a safety case will be required which encompasses the holistic identification and management of risk, i.e. not limited to the network as defined in GSMR, but to include downstream hydrogen utilisation and hydrogen production and storage where it directly impacts the network operation.Consideration should be given to completed and ongoing projects and approaches to developing safety cases, e.g. H100 and Hy4Heat.Adaptability of the format for future trials or wider roll out should be considered.2. The framework should include identification of suitable section headingsThe general intent to broadly follow the GSMR approach should be taken into account. GSMR sections which are not applicable to the trial should be identified. New / additional sections that are required due to the conversion to hydrogen should be identified. This will be particularly important for those parts of the trial that are not currently covered within existing safety cases (downstream). How downstream and production (if applicable) operations will be incorporated should be considered. This will include whether one or more documents are required, and where one document is recommended how these elements are incorporated within the text or whether sit in appendices or similar.3. The framework should identify the content to be included within each section. As a minimum identify the level of detail and range of content, including indicative text.Consideration should be given to the following documents;• GSMR Schedules 1 & 2• HSEs Safety Case Assessment Manual (SCAM)• Examples of content of existing safety cases accepted by the HSE 4. The recommended content should identify how the range of evidence required for a hydrogen trial will be covered within a safety case, either by direct inclusion or referenced from a safety case.Consideration should be given to “HSE Safety Assurance Protocol : Hydrogen for Heat : Safety Demonstration : Considerations for Trials”. 5. Identify and agree suitable HSE engagement HSE have confirmed their intent to engage with the development of proposals for a safety case framework. It should be noted that there is no financial benefit for the consumer to this project.  The objectives of the project are as follows:- Develop a framework for a Safety Case for a hydrogen village network trial. This can be based on previous Safety Cases submitted to the HSE for review (e.g., accepted network safety cases and HyDeploy) and also any necessary improvements to the framework. - Work with external organisations such as the HSE to ensure that they agree with the findings and are content with the suggested framework Understand how technical evidence underpins the Safety Case and how any immediate gaps can be filled.

This project will look at the co-dependencies and consumer attitudes of the exit strategy mechanism from the Hydrogen Village project at the end of the trial period. It is unlikely that a finalised position can be reached in 2022 on what the preferred exit strategy should be but a clear steer to enable engagement within the hydrogen village community should be identified and then a process agreed for reviewing this position in-light of further developments should be detailed.

14/10/22