Standard content for Members only
To continue reading this article, please login to your Utility Week account, Start 14 day trial or Become a member.
If your organisation already has a corporate membership and you haven’t activated it simply follow the register link below. Check here.
SGN has been given the green light to proceed to the next stage of a project to run 100% hydrogen through a 30km pipeline in Scotland.
The trial using a decommissioned pipeline between Grangemouth refinery and Granton, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, is part of SGN’s £30 million LTS Futures project, which is verifying the compatibility of Britain’s local transmission system (LTS) with hydrogen.
Having reviewed evidence on the suitability of the pipeline for hydrogen testing, Ofgem has now agreed the project can move to the next stage.
Over the past year, SGN has conducted a series of tests, including using compressed air to clean the pipeline and identify any critical defects. A hydrotest was also conducted, for which engineers filled the entire pipeline with water exceeding the pressure it will be exposed to during the live trial.
The company said more testing, including the first ever live welding on a hydrogen pipeline, will now take place in preparation for a live demonstration in 2024.
Gemma Simpson, SGN’s director of LTS Futures, said: “We’re delighted Ofgem has allowed us to continue to the second stage gate for this critical project which will be to connect the existing pipeline to a hydrogen supply from our project partners, INEOS. Offsite trials will allow us to test procedures for making new connections to the pipeline. This includes the first ever live welding procedure on a hydrogen pipeline.
“If we’re successful we’ll be able to proceed to a live trial in 2024 which will deliver a blueprint for repurposing Great Britain’s LTS network, driving decarbonisation and supporting our net zero goals.
“We believe hydrogen has the potential to provide customers with a choice on how they heat their homes as part of a whole systems approach for decarbonising heat.”
Rebecca Pickett, Ofgem’s head of future gas policy, Networks, said: “We welcome SGN’s progress with LTS Futures and recognise the potential importance of exploring innovative solutions to decarbonise our energy sector.”
Please login or Register to leave a comment.