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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_NGN_258
Title	Vehicle Transition - CNG
Status	Completed
Energy Categories	Energy Efficiency(Transport) 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 100%
Principal Investigator	Project Contact No email address given Northern Gas Networks
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 March 2020
End Date	01 February 2021
Duration	ENA months
Total Grant Value	£103,960
Industrial Sectors	Energy
Region	Yorkshire & Humberside
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , Northern Gas Networks (100.000%)
	Industrial Collaborator	Project Contact , Northern Gas Networks (0.000%)
Web Site	https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA_NGN_258
Objectives	The project aims to conduct analysis and create a model to help Northern Gas Networks understand the feasibility of investing in CNG infrastructure for the purposes of converting industrial fleets operating in the area that NGN serve.The project will be divided into three stagesPhase 1: Market Analysis and Environmental Review – Including Refuelling capability design review.In this phase Frazer-Nash will conduct research to understand and summarise:• A design and technology review for options to connect CNG refuelling infrastructure to gas networks at high, medium and low pressures. • The evidence for environmental, cost and air quality benefits of CNG when compared with other fuels.• The economic and engineering features/restraints of different refuel technologies available to deploy.• Research potential regional partnersPhase 2: Network and Transport ModellingThis activity will create an engaging simulation that simulates fleet activity over the geographical area of interest over a specified time. In the simulation, the user can specify how many vehicles are to be converted to CNG, and the simulation will monitor how the fleet behaves. Typical parameters that would be monitored are C02 emissions, cost, fuel status, and locations where refuel locations are required.Phase 3: Business Case for ChangeThe business case for change will produce a report which builds on the work conducted in Phase 1 and 2 in order to produce costed options for deploying CNG vehicles that could be used to approach potential partner organisations, or inform investment decisions at NGN. Overall, the project will be a success if the research and modelling completed as part of these three stages has increased NGNs understanding of the costs and implications of implementing CNG technology into their fleet. Phase 1: Market Analysis and Environmental Review – Including Refuelling Capability Design Review.In this phase Frazer-Nash will conduct research to understand and summarise:• A design and technology review for options to connect CNG refuelling infrastructure to gas networks at high, medium and low pressures. • The evidence for environmental, cost and air quality benefits of CNG when compared with other fuels.• The economic and engineering features/restraints of different refuel technologies available to deploy.• Research potential regional partners.Phase 2: Network and Transport ModellingThis activity will create an engaging simulation that simulates fleet activity over the geographical area of interest over a specified time. In the simulation, the user can specify how many vehicles are to be converted to CNG, and the simulation will monitor how the fleet behaves. Typical parameters that would be monitored are C02 emissions, cost, fuel status, and locations where refuel locations are required.Phase 3: Business Case for ChangeThe business case for change will produce a report which builds on the work conducted in Phase 1 and 2 in order to produce costed options for deploying CNG vehicles that could be used to approach potential partner organisations, or inform investment decisions at NGN. The design and technology review (part of Activity 1) for connections at high, medium and low pressures will be an essential part of the Business Case for Change. Stage 1 Objectives – Market Analysis and Environmental Review – Including Refuelling Capability Design ReviewObjectives of this task are to:• Characterise the state of the CNG market in the region;• Research and identify potential partners in the region;• Characterise key features of the CNG technology to be used in the Stage 2 simulation;• Conduct research in to CNG refuelling capabilities. Report on key aspects such as cost, refuel rate that can be used in the Stage 2 simulation.Stage 2 Objectives – Network and Transport Modelling Objectives of this task are to:• Develop a digital model of key sections of NGN fleet. Initially, assuming all vehicles are conventionally fuelled, run the simulation, attending locations taken from past usage data provided by NGN.• Modify some/all of the fleet to use CNG as a fuel source, monitoring how the system responds to the new vehicles.• With the CNG vehicles in active service, monitor where vehicles require refuelling and use this information to inform refuelling capability placement.Stage 3 Objectives – Business Case for changeObjectives of this tasks are to:• Create a business case for change, which takes the commercial and technical research completed in Stage 1, and augments this with the results of the simulation produced in Stage 2 to produce a business case for investing in CNG infrastructure.
Abstract	Northern Gas Networks are working towards having a net zero carbon footprint by 2050. A large part of NGNs current emissions come from their fleet of service vehicles, so in order to decarbonise the business, NGN are looking to convert a section of that fleet to use Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) rather than Diesel.
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	02/11/22