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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_NGGT0192
Title	New Pipeline AI Route Planning
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	PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Computer Science and Informatics) 25%; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 75%;
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 June 2022
End Date	30 September 2022
Duration	ENA months
Total Grant Value	£71,333
Industrial Sectors	Energy
Region	London
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , National Grid Gas Transmission (100.000%)
Web Site	https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA_NGGT0192
Objectives	The supplier, Continuum, will configure their proprietary software package, Optioneer(TM), to meet National Grid GTs technical requirements for new pipeline route planning. The existing technology, Optioneer(TM), uses artificial intelligence to rapidly generate and examine millions of pipeline routing options in detail against different engineering, environmental/social and cost criteria. This enables the assessment of a wide range of options, in a greater level of detail, early in a project. Measurement Quality StatementThe measurement approach used to meet Data Quality objectives will be through the identification of high calibre project partners who are experts in their given field. In this instance WP1 of the project will be critical in determining the required data sets and standards of data which will be incorporated into the AI tool. Data Quality StatementThe project will ensure that data used is of sufficient quality to deliver project objectives by aligning the hydrogen data sets to current rules and standards for similar routing activity. Robust analysis of this data will be undertaken to ensure the quality of output for the tool. The relevant data and background information will be stored for future access within the National Grid Innovation SharePoint site. The project will be split into 4 Phased work packages:1) Work Package 1 – Data gathering and project space configuration in Optioneer (Duration – 6 weeks)Lead – Continuum Industries and National Grid During this phase data sources and assumptions are to be identified and listed to determine constraints that need to be modelled in the AI tool. Work Package 1 will include:Workshop 1 via Teams - Kick-off: Present the methodology for pipeline routing with Optioneer. Present and discuss GIS datasets, design rules and evaluation criteria typically used for a pipeline project in Optioneer. Identify NG teams/individuals to input and validate the list of GIS datasets, design rules and construction costs. NG to share the location of the test project section and internal documents regarding pipeline build standards. Review of NG pipeline build standards Continuum Gathering and processing of GIS data Workshop 2 via Teams - Review of environmental constraints Workshop 3 via Teams - Review of technical standards /design rules Data upload, configuration of input parameters and set up of a project space in Optioneer Workshop 4 via Teams - Presentation of a configured project space in Optioneer together with initial corridor options Technical report preparation 2) Work Package 2 – Test deployment (Duration – 8 weeks) Lead – Continuum Industries and National GridDuring this phase all data sets identified in phase 1 will be built into the platform in preparation for the testing phase. A section of the Project Union backbone will be selected to test the AI route planning and SMEs will be engaged for challenge and review.Work Package 2 will include: Two training sessions for the NG team members via Teams Named members of the NG team receive access to the project space in Optioneer and use the software to identify route options with participation from Continuum engineers. Weekly review meetings to provide further training and record feedback from NG SME challenge and review (Timelines to be defined by NG) Assessment of deployment routes (Timelines to be defined by NG) Workshop 5 via Teams to identify gaps in the Optioneer software that would need to be addressed before the tool can be fully utilised on live hydrogen pipeline projects. Technical report preparation  3) Work Package 3 – Test Deployment (Duration – 1 month) Lead – Continuum Industries and National GridDuring this phase the final route will be tested, and final technical and closure reports will be prepared.Work Package 3 will include: Standards & Reporting Preparation of a technical report based on the two reports prepared in Phases 1 and 2 Preparation of a technical summary Technical report review by NG Review standards and identify if any updates need to be made (NG to confirm timelines) Preparation of a closure report (NG to provide timelines)  4) Work Package 4 – Project Management (Duration – 4 months) Lead – Continuum Industries and National Grid The key objectives for this activity are as follows: Demonstration of a GIS based AI tool that can utilise various data sets to identify potential routes for new pipelines Quantify the value of the tool in terms of time and cost savings
Abstract	As part of Project Union certain areas of the backbone will require new pipeline builds.There are several factors to consider when routing for new pipelines and traditionally this is a desktop based back and forth exercise that requires a lot of time and resource to investigate different options, usually these are not explored in great detail.The aim of this project is to utilise an AI based tool or platform to enable the rapid exploration of pipeline routing options for these new pipelines. The benefit of an AI based tool is that the various constraints that need considering can be overlaid in one platform allowing the narrowing down of options which can then be explored in greater detail by specialist teams.
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	14/10/22