Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NIA_NGGT0037 | |
| Title | Compressor Balance of Plant Environmental Study | |
| 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 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Project Contact No email address given National Grid Gas Transmission |
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| Award Type | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Funding Source | Ofgem | |
| Start Date | 01 August 2013 | |
| End Date | 01 January 2015 | |
| Duration | 19 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £175,000 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Technical Consultancy | |
| Region | London | |
| Programme | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , National Grid Gas Transmission (100.000%) |
| Web Site | http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_NGGT0037 |
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| Objectives | The aim of this study is to research and develop a novel operational practice that has the potential to deliver environmental gain and net financial benefits, by delivering efficiencies and a better understanding of whole life expenditure. This study will help to address challenges associated with reduction in environmental Impact. The following can be identified as potential success criteria: Validation that existing technology choices represent the best environmental cost benefit balance; Identification and evaluation of new / innovation technology options not previously considered; Greater auditability and justification associated with investment decisions; Improved development and update process for engineering standards (e. g. T/PM/COMP/20 ‘Management Procedure for Design of a Compressor Installation for the National Transmission System,’ and its subsidiary procedures);Time and cost savings for projects via access to a published library of case studies; Investment decisions being made on the basis of a consistent evaluation method taking potential environmental impacts into full consideration; Identification of technology options / practices with a high degree of potential viability, suitable for further evaluation under the NIA/NIC mechanisms; Potential whole life cost savings associated with selection of more efficient equipment; Potential carbon dioxide (CO2), or carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) savings associated with increased efficiency or reduced process gas losses; and Potential reductions in other emissions, resource consumption and environmental risks. | |
| Abstract | National Grid Gas operates a wide range of ancillary equipment across its gas assets in addition to primary equipment forming gas compressor machinery train, generically referred to as Balance of Plant (BoP). Due to the different age of the sites, particular characteristics and different parties involved at design stages there is considerable variety in the type of equipment installed, yet different systems often fulfil the same function and are capable of meeting duty and process safety requirements. Given this historical variety, there is substantial uncertainty in many cases as to which option represents the most cost effective and environmentally preferable solution over the whole design life. The variability in existing asset type also complicates maintenance and spares holding requirements. Innovative practices or processes are also periodically identified through sector knowledge sharing or proposed by suppliers, but there is typically little information to compare the costs and benefits of these novel solutions with established practice. This lack of information impacts on the ability to define engineering standards for certain BoP items, resulting in additional design costs on new projects. Additionally, National Grid Gas has a legal obligation to ensure that all equipment on its sites subject to environmental regulation operate in line with the principles of Best Available Techniques (BAT). BAT applies to how a facility is designed, built, operated, maintained and closed, and includes consideration of affordability - the marginal environmental or efficiency benefit offered by one solution or practice over another must be proportional to its cost, annualised over the life of the equipment. Failure to satisfy the environmental regulators that BAT is being applied can result in costly retrofits. There are established principles for conducting cost benefit analysis and for the more common industries (such as food and drink manufacturing) there is published sector based guidance identifying those technical solutions considered to represent BAT. However, there is no guidance for gas transmission identifying sector best practice. To undertake a comprehensive cost benefit analysis study on each project where new ancillary equipment is to be specified would be time consuming, costly and inefficient for customers. Site audit techniques will be used to review practice and procedure in relation to technology in use at existing facilities. An Innovation Workshop will be held to which key National Grid stakeholders and selected technology providers would be invited. The purpose would be to provide a forum to collate and discuss conceptual approaches and issues in relation to the identified the BoP topic areas. The aim of this will be to capture the widest range of opinions on potential candidate options in the research. Primary and secondary research to obtain data on performance, emissions and costs for the potential candidate options. This will include follow up interviews with National Grid staff, suppliers and technology providers and review of published sources and historical projects. Regard shall be given to commercial confidentiality and, where required, project specific information and suppliers will be anonymised. In parallel to the research stage, the Environmental Cost-Benefit Assessment Tool will be developed. This will utilise software engineering techniques to develop a standalone tool using the Microsoft Excel2007/2010 platform. The functionality will include user input, modelling and graphical / tabular output tabs. This functionality will be achieved without use of macros or visual basic programming to ensure it will be widely useable in a range of transmission organisations. There will be stakeholder design meetings between National Grid and the software developers at key project stages. High level outline candidate technology / practice options relating to the identified topic areas will be developed for application at a generic compressor installation. This activity will be in discussion with key decision makers in National Grid Gas Transmission Asset Management (GTAM) (including investment teams, fleet management and operational representatives) and National Grid Capital Delivery. The outcome of this will be a shortlist of candidate technologies (or combination of technologies), with high level outline designs for analysis and comparison. The cost and performance information derived through the research and outline design phase will be used to conduct an environmental Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA), in order to determine the preferred option(s). The CBA method will be consistent with guidance provided by UK environmental regulators and European law. The best practice / innovation guides, which will be also be developed by external environmental specialists, will use the newly developed tool to undertake a series of option appraisal comparisons. They will be written up in a summary format for maximum clarity, and will also be consistent with the methodology set out in guidance provided by UK environmental regulators Dissemination of the findings will include training and raising awareness in National Grid and the wider sector (facilitated via the Energy Networks Association (ENA) and as appropriate other sector bodies). External stakeholder engagement to support uptake will include the UK environmental regulators, including the Environment Agency (EA), the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Natural Resources Wales (NRW).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 | 09/08/18 | |
