go to top scroll for more

Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_NGGT0177
Title	Hydrogen Deblending Feasibility Phase 2
Status	Completed
Energy Categories	Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal(Oil and Gas, Refining, transport and storage of oil and gas) 50%; Hydrogen and Fuel Cells(Hydrogen, Other infrastructure and systems R&D) 50%;
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
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 November 2021
End Date	31 October 2022
Duration	ENA months
Total Grant Value	£666,038
Industrial Sectors	Energy
Region	London
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , National Grid Gas Transmission (99.999%)
	Other Investigator	Project Contact , National Grid Gas Transmission (0.001%)
Web Site	https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA_NGGT0177
Objectives	The project will be split up into 4 workstreams (1-3 on the Engineering side and 1 workstream looking at the Market Frameworks). 1. Engineering Workstream – UK gas network mapping and mobility Based on the current UK gas network, summarise the most likely locations for this technology based on the feedback from the stakeholder engagement, previous studies and operational constraints. Fully understand the challenges of installing gas separation technology at gas offtake sites across the network, considering cost, available space, operation and the mobility of de-blending technology to prevent stranded assets. 2. Engineering Workstream – Demonstration high level design and scope Develop the high-level design and cost of a demonstration scale de-blending facility on the National Grid FutureGrid facility. Working with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and installation companies (if different) to fully understand the cost, scale and design of a mobile de-blending facility.  3. Future Technology Workstream Carry out a technology watch into future and emerging concepts that could disrupt the existing gas separation marketplace. Research new materials, designs and processes that may require scaling but show promise for the future. Engineering Peer Review Peer review the Engineering workstreams to ensure all aspects had been covered fully and fairly. 1. Markets Framework workstream Work through key unresolved market questions concerning the use of de-blending technology on the gas networks, including cost, connections, capacity, balancing, charging, gas quality and system operation. Data Quality Statement (DQS): The project will be delivered under the NIA framework in line with the agreed Energy Networks Innovation Process document NGGT / NGET internal policies. Data produced as part of this project will be subject to quality assurance to ensure that the information produced with each deliverable is accurate to the best of our knowledge and sources of information are appropriately documented. All deliverables and project outputs will be stored on our internal sharepoint platform ensuring backup and version management. Relevant project documentation and reports will also be made available on the ENA Smarter Networks Portal and dissemination material will be shared with the relevant stakeholders. Measurement Quality Statement (MQS): The methodology used in this project will be subject to our suppliers own ISO 9001 certified quality assurance regime and the source of data, measurement process and equipment as well as data processing will be clearly documented and verifiable. The measurements, designs and economic assessments will also be clearly documented in the relevant deliverables and final project report and made available for review. A possible solution identified to address transportation of low-cost hydrogen to accommodate the development of hydrogen economies across the UK demographic is the ability to utilise the GT and distribution networks to transport hydrogen / methane blends within the existing UK gas system and “deblend” the mixed gas streams at scale on a regional basis. If proved to be technically and economically feasible the concept could provide a credible pathway to achieving the transition n from <20% hydrogen / methane blends to a fully decarbonised gas network, whilst providing the added optionality for sensitive customers requiring a 100% methane during the transitional phase to a fully decarbonisedgas network. Critically, this method of distributing low carbon hydrogen would allow certain sensitive consumers, such as a CCGT power stations, to continue to receive a steady supply of natural gas without disruption to the transition of the gas network. Other consumers, such as early adopters of low carbon hydrogen, will conversely be able to receive a hydrogen gas stream. Therefore, this technology maintains optionality for consumers during the transition to a low carbon gas network. The objective of this project is to take the understanding and concept of de-blending on the gas network to the next level with the project being split between an engineering and market framework focus. For engineering the objectives will be to understand the potential locations for gas separation on the network, what ancillary equipment will be needed and how mobile this could be. Within the engineering part of the project an overview of the future emerging technology will be completed alongside development of a demonstration plant linked to the FutureGrid test facility.For the market framework focus, the objective will be to explore how commercial frameworks may need to evolve to accommodate de-blending technology considering and potential changes to the existing regime including to connection agreements, capacity allocation, balancing, charging, gas quality and system operation. As series of stakeholder engagement sessions on the topic of de-blending will be organised to gather industry opinions and feedback.
Abstract	Further the understanding and research relating to gas separation on a gas network level by looking into the customers that are likely to be affected, the assets required to perform deblending, future and innovative solutions and an in-depth analysis of how the market frameworks currently in place are likely to change. Additionally, further the design of a demonstration deblending facility at FutureGrid.
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	14/10/22