Gas networks may get new powers for hydrogen trials

Gas distribution networks (GDNs) look set to be equipped with new legal powers to ensure trial conversions of the grid to hydrogen for home heating can be carried out safely.

The proposals were outlined by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in a consultation on facilitating hydrogen heating trials released on Tuesday (17 August) as part of a suite of documents accompanying its hydrogen strategy.

The government has already invited gas networks to participate in a “village” trial, which would involve the conversion of a section of the existing gas network in a local area to carry hydrogen. This would require disconnecting the section from the wider gas grid.

The document said that to make premises suitable for heating with hydrogen, gas networks may need to carry out some additional alterations that are not required for natural gas, such as ensuring homes have better ventilation.

If it turns out that these changes are necessary, they would not be covered by the networks’ existing statutory remit.

The document said the majority of consumers in the trial area, which will be partly chosen based on the extent of buy-in from the local community, are expected to participate.

But the consultation it is “not clear” that a GDN could rely on existing powers of entry to safely disconnect the “small number” of customers who opt out of the trial.

“If these consumers were not disconnected, hydrogen would be supplied to their premises through the newly converted pipes without the property being ready for hydrogen, and this would not be safe,” it explained.

But the new powers, which could either be provided in primary legislation or by amending an existing act of Parliament, would only be used as a “last resort” to make sure that the trial could be delivered safely.

The first neighbourhood trial, which will be delivered by SGN to around 300 premises in the Fife conurbation of Levenmouth, is due to start in 2023.

This will involve the laying of new pipes alongside the existing natural gas grid, which will be used to supply hydrogen to consumers.

Consumers in the neighbourhood trial area will be given the choice of whether to connect to the new hydrogen supply.

The documents released on Tuesday also included the government’s proposals for a Net Zero Hydrogen Fund to support production of the fuel.

BEIS said its preferred option is to provide producers with capital grants to help spur projects to deliver the government’s target of 5GW of hydrogen production by 2030.