DNV contracted in the UK for the review of the safe use and conversion of the local transmission systems (LTS) high pressure pipelines for transporting 100 percent hydrogen

DNV contracted in the UK for the review of the safe use and conversion of the local transmission systems (LTS) high pressure pipelines for transporting 100 percent hydrogen

(PRESS RELEASE) BÆRUM, 26-Sep-2022 — /EuropaWire/ — DNV, the independent energy expert and assurance provider, has announced a new contract in the UK for the review of the safe use and conversion of the local transmission systems (LTS) high pressure pipelines for transporting 100 percent hydrogen. The gas distribution company SGN is responsible for around 3,100km of the LTS pipelines in the UK and is leading this project working in collaboration with the other UK gas networks.

The LTS is owned and operated by gas distribution networks. These are the pipelines that connect the high-pressure National Transmission System (NTS) with the lower pressure tiers. These pipelines are considered the ‘backbone’ of the energy network, currently delivering gas from NTS offtakes to towns and cities across the country.

Angus McIntosh, Director of Energy Futures, SGN says ‘Repurposing the UK’s extensive gas networks to transport hydrogen offers an exciting opportunity to deliver deep decarbonisation of the energy system. We’re delighted to be working with DNV to undertake offsite testing at their Spadeadam facility. This testing is a key component of our overall programme and will provide critical evidence to support our live demonstration of a conversion of a 30km natural gas pipeline to hydrogen. The evidence and outcomes will be representative and scalable to all local transmission assets in the UK, over 11000km of pipeline assets and associated plant.’

DNV will be providing key safety and operational evidence by carrying out a series of offline tests for this project at their remote research facility in Cumbria, Northern England. The programme of work will demonstrate hot working on hydrogen pipelines, delayed ignition and over pressure tests, burst and fatigue tests as well as exploring the hydrogen compatibility of existing pipeline connections and fittings.  As the project progresses, DNV will also support a live network SGN trial by investigating the measurement and monitoring of a hydrogen linepack, (the volume of gas that can be “stored” in a gas pipeline), on a section of the local transmission network.

Hari Vamadevan, Regional Director UK & Ireland, Energy Systems at DNV says “In the UK’s recently published Energy Security Strategy, hydrogen is referred to as a super-fuel. The UK is intending to lead the way in developing hydrogen as a key domestic energy carrier, indeed recently doubling their ambition to 10GW of low carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030. The existing infrastructure is in place, and SGN is making a huge effort to accelerate the UK’s progress towards net zero.”

DNV is uniquely placed to host the offline LTS Futures trial at their world-leading research facility alongside the FutureGrid project for National Grid Gas and the H21 project for Northern Gas Networks. DNV has demonstrated its commitment to the energy transition in general and research into hydrogen in particular by investing in the construction of the HyStreet terrace of houses – being used to demonstrate how hydrogen can be safely distributed for heating and cooking in typical British homes.

About DNV 

DNV is the independent expert in risk management and quality assurance, operating in more than 100 countries. Through its broad experience and deep expertise DNV advances safety and sustainable performance, sets industry benchmarks, and inspires and invents solutions.

Whether assessing a new ship design, optimizing the performance of a wind farm, analysing sensor data from a gas pipeline or certifying a food company’s supply chain, DNV enables its customers and their stakeholders to manage technological and regulatory complexity with confidence.

Driven by its purpose, to safeguard life, property, and the environment, DNV helps tackle the challenges and global transformations facing its customers and the world today and is a trusted voice for many of the world’s most successful and forward-thinking companies.

In the energy industry 
DNV provides assurance to the entire energy value chain through its advisory, monitoring, verification, and certification services. As the world’s leading resource of independent energy experts and technical advisors, the assurance provider helps industries and governments to navigate the many complex, interrelated transitions taking place globally and regionally, in the energy industry. DNV is committed to realizing the goals of the Paris Agreement, and supports customers to transition faster to a deeply decarbonized energy system.
The UK gas networks are working together to deliver a programme of work to demonstrate the safe conversion of the gas transmission and distribution systems to hydrogen.

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SOURCE: DNV AS