Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NIA_NGN_179 | |
| Title | Remote ECV Isolation | |
| 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 | ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 100% | |
| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 50%; Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Other sociological economical and environmental impact of energy) 50%; |
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| Principal Investigator |
Project Contact No email address given Northern Gas Networks |
|
| Award Type | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Funding Source | Ofgem | |
| Start Date | 01 September 2016 | |
| End Date | 01 January 2017 | |
| Duration | 6 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £54,296 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Information Technologies | |
| Region | Yorkshire & Humberside | |
| Programme | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , Northern Gas Networks (100.000%) |
| Web Site | http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_NGN_179 |
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| Objectives | To determine best location of sensors and develop the best sensor for the operation. To determine turn off point (LEL readings)Test under simulated conditions. Test in specific properties. Check data integrity. Develop process and check process. Interact with all utilities on the development. Close out report. The project is deemed successful, if it can be proved that the system operates as designed and over a length of time, without failure or creating an increase in workload. Therefore, the project has to meet the following criteria: Gas safety framework is accepted for deployment during proof of concept stage Remotely operated ECV is compatible with EU approved sensor Fifteen units are successfully deployed for nine months All stakeholders, trained, informed, consulted, aware and comfortable with actions No false negatives reported throughout trial Communications systems conform to necessary standards Final Report produced, with recommendations | |
| Abstract | The main reasons the elderly, the vulnerable or people with dementia are placed into care is the safety to themselves and concerns of carers from living in their own homes. Placing vulnerable individuals into residential care is large and growing cost on society. If technologies could provide security to these individuals, remaining in their own home is preferable to everyone and reduces costs to UK economy. During emergency situations or supply incidents, such as water ingress, networks often need to isolate a large number of customers from the gas network, for their own safety. This involves engineers gaining access to properties and turning off the main control valve (ECV). During emergency incidents this could take a large number of resources who could be better deployed on the safety to the wider public or begin immediate restoration. Since the start of the gas industry, we (networks) have relied on individuals to report incidents of gas leakage within their home. This could be Natural gas or Carbon Monoxide and then all the networks react to the customer’s problem. Unfortunately not all incidents like the above are reported and this can lead to major incidents, such as fires, explosions or asphyxiation and potential deaths. Also we have to realise that as the population gets older there will be more people with special needs and after a risk assessment, often these individuals have to go into residential homes for their own safety. This is a great burden on the NHS and the support network and can be very upsetting to the individual. The development of Internet of Things (IoT) within the home is rapidly becoming a reality with telecommunications companies leading the way. If gas is to part of the future within the home and play a full part in everyday life it needs to be part of this development to improve customer’s lives and safety. This demonstration project will bring a unique remote controlled ECV, never used in the UK, together with other IoT systems to show how combined technologies can safeguard homes and inform key stakeholders of risks. Action can then be taken by the Network and others to ensure safety is returned as soon as practicable. The project is an initial proof of concept approach with K. Com Plc (KC) installing the equipment in a "demonstration room" within its offices in Hull. Hull University will also provide around 20 student accommodations to install the system to assess viability and operability. Should this proof of concept trial demonstrate benefits, a larger trial covering a wider demographic group will be investigated. The "demonstration room" will also provide a communication route to how the art of the possible could be deployed across the UK. Engagement will be made with other GDNs and key stakeholders on future stages, impact, issues and involvement. Currently, when a customer smells gas or suspect carbon monoxide they will ring the gas emergency number to report the incident, if it is in their property, they will be advised if they are a competent or a trained engineers to turn off the ECV (Emergency Control Valve). If the release of gas is not controlled the networks must attend the property in less than 1hr. However if the ECV is closed it is a controlled gas escape and the networks have two hours to respond. The engineer arrives on site to undertake a full safety survey of the affected area.Note : 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 | 11/12/18 | |
