Pathways Programme

The H21 North of England is a detailed engineering solution for converting 3.7 million UK homes and businesses from natural gas to hydrogen, in order to reduce carbon emissions.

A feasibility study with the aim of determining the capability of the NTS to transport hydrogen. Includes a review of relevant assets, pipeline case studies and gap analysis for materials and standards.

The H21 NIC project consists of two phases of work, phase 1A to test and determine the leakage profile of metallic and plastic assets operating at below 7 bar, and Phase 1b, which will determine the consequence of hydrogen gas leakage. Development of a Quantitative Risk Assessment [QRA] model for hydrogen at below 7bar up to the Emergency Control Valve [ECV].

This project aims to demonstrate the commercial viability of injecting 2% hydrogen into the National Transmissions System (NTS). While the project begins at St Fergus Gas Terminal and will completely encompass Aberdeenshire, it will also influence locations beyond Scotland via the national network systems.

A review of the potential of the Isle of Grain region to use existing infrastructure to supply hydrogen to London & the South East including generation, storage, transport and CCS.

Provide a coherent modelling framework for regional energy demand and supply mapping that captures competition between low carbon technologies and the impact that consumers, communities, distribution networks, and regional and national bodies will have on the national heat decarbonisation strategy.

To assess a variety of hydrogen recovery technologies and develop concept designs for selected options including a techno-economic review and identify the requirements for a demonstration project.

Provide quantified safety-based evidence to confirm the gas distribution networks of GB are suitable to transport 100% hydrogen. To enable a future move towards a community trial, which is required prior to conversion.

Preparation of the safety case for the first community Trails (phase 3)

A feasibility project to establish the technical and commercial viability of a 100% Hydrogen network demonstration. The subsequent demonstration project will be to demonstrate that Hydrogen can be distributed safely and reliably. Planned project steps  Characteristics of Hydrogen  Hydrogen consequence testing  PE materials, fitting and jointing techniques  Safety case and operational procedures  Metering appliance and validation  Hydrogen odorant and gas detection  Feasibility and FEED studies.

Methilltoune is a proposal for the resilient supply of zero carbon hydrogen to support the demonstration of a scalable 100% hydrogen distribution network.

Exploring options for a fair and equitable billing methodology for the gas industry which will be fit-for-purpose in a lower-carbon future. The project aims to integrate diverse gas sources without needing to standardise energy content and will inform the industry on billing options for a sustainable gas future. The current Flow Weighted Average Calorific Value (CV) billing regime may restrict entry to unconventional gases that comply with Gas Safety (Management) Regulations, GS(M)R. Additional, expensive processing is required to match the CV of the primary inputs. The Project explores options for assigning CV at a more specific level, to avoid processing, and could provide a more robust attribution of gas energy to customers generally for decades to come.

Demonstrating solutions to enable the wider connection of green and distributed gases into the network. This will provide a cost efficient, reliable and low carbon supply whilst adapting changing requirements of new demands such as the increase in peaking power generation or gas for transport.