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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_NGN_350
Title	Smart Gas Pressure Sensor
Status	Completed
Energy Categories	Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal(Oil and Gas, Refining, transport and storage of oil and gas) 20%; Hydrogen and Fuel Cells(Hydrogen, Other infrastructure and systems R&D) 80%;
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 September 2023
End Date	29 February 2024
Duration	ENA months
Total Grant Value	£198,960
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_350
Objectives	To mitigate this risk, this project seeks to create a device which can detect a low-pressure and/or an unacceptable rate of change in pressure at consumers properties. Once a change like this is detected, the device should then be able to activate a shut-off valve which will close the gas supply and assist in ensuring the wider network is protected. Although this would result in the consumer losing their supply, the overall restoration of supply following an isolation of the home by a Gas Safe registered engineer (and possibly the consumer themselves) is much less disruptive than a potential multi-day cessation of supply. It will also reduce the overall number of consumers losing supply by minimising the demand requirement on the overall network. Our approach to this challenge would consist of using a mechanical under-pressure shut off, similar to those already available, but to instrument that with the digital pressure sensor, LoRaWAN radio and a state monitor of the lockout valve. However, similar to the previous H2Go project, the beginning would involve some trials whereby other approaches (eg. electrically operated valves) will be reviewed. This will allow all possible directions to be considered and ensure DefProc configures the best engineering decision possible for the device. Phase 1: To verify the most appropriate system design to meet the monitoring and reporting of pressure and under-pressure shut-off (UPSO) conditions. DefProc will then carry out tests in their lab before bringing a proof-of-concept device to test with hydrogen supply. Phase 2: To take the learnings from phase 1 to build prototype devices which best meet the Networks needs and requirements of the deployment situation. At the end of this phase, the resultant devices will be ready for wider deployment, subject to network need, and any mandatory testing for devices to be attached to the network.
Abstract	In the event of an incident on the network, pressures may reduce to a level that could affect the security of supply for wider consumers and/or the delivery of gas at a satisfactory pressure to consumers. In extreme conditions this could mean the network pressure is so low that the end-user supply needs to be isolated for safety. The process to re-establish the supply is time-consuming and can be onerous on consumers and networks. To mitigate this, we will create a device that can detect low-pressure and/or unacceptable rate of change in pressure at consumers properties. Once a change is detected the device will be able to activate a shut-off valve. The valve closure will isolate the end-user gas supply, protecting the end-user and the wider network. Development of a solution at this point will allow for availability of a monitoring solution that can be deployed along with the network rollout of hydrogen supply.
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	01/11/23