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A digital twin of National Gas’ transmission system is being developed to test the feasibility of transporting blended hydrogen and natural gas on the existing National Transmission System (NTS).
National Gas has commissioned engineering consultant Wood to create the digital twin and to advise on the level of investment required to repurpose the NTS infrastructure to transport hydrogen on 25% of its pipelines.
Wood has also been appointed to assist in upgrading 7,600km of existing pipelines, compressor stations and terminal infrastructure.
Azad Hessamodini, Wood’s executive president of consulting, said: “This work demonstrates the intrinsic link between digitalisation and decarbonisation and Wood’s expertise to deliver tangible solutions that drive towards the industry’s net zero goals.
“We are pleased to be working and innovating with National Gas to deliver an upgraded and secure digital system that will meet the needs of the future UK energy environment. Through our ability to combine hydrogen and digital expertise, we are also providing a path for NGT to transition to low-carbon fuels through hydrogen blending, further supporting the UK’s net zero ambitions.”
The NTS was constructed in the 1960s and 1970s, with technology that is now reaching the end of its design life.
The government has promised to make a strategic decision on the role that hydrogen will play in the decarbonisation of domestic heating by 2026 following trials of a hydrogen neighbourhood and then village.
However, recent statements by ministers have suggested scepticism towards hydrogen boilers, with energy secretary Grant Shapps saying hydrogen is “unlikely” to be a major source of heating in homes.
A new paper from the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP), released last week, states that there is currently a “dearth of public consideration and discussion” over the possible wind-down of gas distribution networks if the government decides against the widespread use of hydrogen boilers to provide heat in homes.
The possibility of shutting down gas networks is examined in Utility Week’s recent special report.
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