New vision for zero carbon gas grid

Ex-Cadent CEO to lead new ENA initiative

15th April 2020 by Jane Gray

The Energy Networks Association (ENA) has launched a new programme to coordinate efforts to create the “world’s first zero carbon gas grid” in the UK using a combination of hydrogen and biomethane.

The Gas Goes Green initiative will proceed along a timetable laid out in the 2019‘Pathways to Net Zero’ report produced by Navigant and Imperial College London for the ENA. The project will be headed up by former Cadent chief executive Chris Train who has been appointed as Britain’s first “Green Gas Champion”.

The ENA has listed 17 steps that will be taken as part of the first phase of the programme in 2020. They include:

Developing a timeline for when policy and investment decisions will be needed to decarbonise gas networks by 2050.
Assessing the emissions reductions being delivered through the iron mains replacement programme and identifying the benefits of accelerating this work.
Supporting reforms to gas quality regulations.
Conducting geological studies to identify suitable locations for seasonal hydrogen storage.
Analysing future requirements for hydrogen production, carbon capture and storage and network capacity.
Evaluating options to increase the capacity of gas networks to receive biomethane, particularly in areas with limited demand.

“The Gas Goes Green programme builds on the recent successes of the gas network operators to remove fossil based natural gas from the system,” the ENA explained in a new report.

“This has included supporting the connection to the grid of more than 100 green gas plants, and undertaking engineering and research projects relating to hydrogen, synthetic gas and hybrid heating systems across the country.

“This plans sets out our commitment for 2020, and how we will coordinate the activity of the gas network companies and the interaction with wider industry to transition to a more environmentally sustainable energy system.”

Las month, chancellor of the exchequer Rishi Sunak pledged to provide £800 million to support the development of two carbon capture and storage clusters in the UK. The month before, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy awarded £28 million to five projects to scale up production of low-carbon hydrogen.