Ofgem backs H21 hydrogen project with £6.8m grant

Part of the funding will pay for tests of operational and maintenance procedures on the gas network, paving the way for live network trials at a later date.

H21 is led by Northern Gas Networks, in collaboration with Cadent, Wales and West Utilities and Scottish Gas Networks, with new project partners National Grid Gas Transmission.

The industry-led project is establishing the safety evidence needed to prove that a hydrogen network is a viable alternative to today’s natural gas network serving UK homes and businesses.

The project runs alongside the government funded, Arup-run £25m Hy4Heat programme, which is mainly addressing buildings and appliances.

The second phase of the H21 project will begin in January 2020, where the project team will be augmented by new members: Leeds Beckett University, DNV GL, a Norwegian safety and sustainability consultancy, and HSE Bespoke Research and Consultancy, part of the Health and Safety Executive.

Together, the project partners have contributed a further £750, 000, creating a total project pot of £7.5 m to further develop the evidence base.

H21 Phase One received £9m from Ofgem in 2017, and focused on leakage testing of network assets, and looking at the consequences of different leakage scenarios.

Testing took place at a purpose-built facility at the HSE Science and Research Centre in Buxton, and on specialist rigs at DNV GL’s base in Spadeadam, Cumbria.

The RAF Spadeadam side is used by DNV GL for industrial hazard testing, including tests on fire pipelines, with the remoteness of the area being key to its operations.

This stage will complete in January, with a full report delivered in Summer 2020.

Phase Two will involve simulating network operations on a specially constructed network, also at DNV GL’s base in Spadeadam.

Additionally, there will be network research trials on an unoccupied test site, to demonstrate operational and maintenance procedures.

A combined qualitative risk assessment will bring together findings from both H21’s network testing and findings from the Hy4Heat programme, currently exploring hydrogen’s use in buildings and appliances.

Phase Two will also build upon customer research carried out in H21 Phase One, working with social science teams from Leeds Beckett University to further understand public perceptions of hydrogen.

The project is also developing resources to enable consumers to make informed choices on their future energy.

Mark Horsley, chief executive of Northern Gas Networks, said: “The research being carried out under the H21 NIC is essential for enabling the UK to move towards a greener future.

“We’re delighted that our regulator recognises the importance of the evidence being delivered, and to be undertaking phase two of this ground-breaking project on behalf of the industry.

“We firmly believe repurposing the network to carry 100% hydrogen would represent a huge step forward towards meeting the UK’s sustainability targets, as well as having a crucial role to play in satisfying customer expectations for a cost-effective and minimal impact transition to lower carbon energy.

“Our research, along with government data exploring the use of hydrogen in buildings and appliances, will not only enable policymakers to progress a policy decision on hydrogen, but will also bring customers along on the journey. Their understanding is absolutely central to acceptance of this technology.”

Phil Sheppard, director of gas transmission, National Grid: “The second phase of H21 represents a major step forward in realising a decarbonised gas future.

“National Grid Gas Transmission is pleased to be joining our distribution colleagues in the consortium.”

 

 

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