Projects
Projects: Custom Search |
||
| Reference Number | NIA_WWU_02_22 | |
| Title | Gas Separation within UK Gas Networks | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal (Oil and Gas, Refining, transport and storage of oil and gas) 100%; | |
| Research Types | Applied Research and Development 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 100% | |
| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Project Contact No email address given Wales and West Utilities |
|
| Award Type | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Funding Source | Ofgem | |
| Start Date | 01 May 2024 | |
| End Date | 30 September 2024 | |
| Duration | ENA months | |
| Total Grant Value | £126,503 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Energy | |
| Region | Wales | |
| Programme | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , Wales and West Utilities (100.000%) |
| Industrial Collaborator | Project Contact , Wales and West Utilities (0.000%) |
|
| Web Site | https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA_WWU_02_22 |
|
| Objectives | Work to date, notably by National Gas Transmission and Cadent (see below), has focussed on the opportunities posed by deblending and purification technologies when applied to transport customers. By first incorporating an initial literature review and market assessment, this project will build on work to date by looking holistically at where different types of gas separation technology (e.g., electrochemical, membrane) can be applied to serve multiple customers on a blended network. This will explore industrial and commercial (I&C), power generation, and transport customers who are either:Sensitive to hydrogen and wish to continue using natural gas ProtectiveWish to use an enriched blend, or wholly hydrogen - ProgressiveBy embedding gas separation solutions within the gas network, strategic gas separation could have the ability to provide customers with the type and quality of gas which they need whilst the energy system around them is transitioning. This not only builds flexibility into the gas networks and wider energy system, but also strengthens the case for large scale blending which, in turn, could accelerate the hydrogen economy and decarbonisation in a piecemeal fashion.Previous ProjectsHyNTS DeblendingHyNTS Deblending for Transport ApplicationsHydrogen Grid to Vehicle (HG2V); Network purity for Transport.Hy4TransportHyNTS FutureGrid DeblendingComposite membranes for H2 purificationMeasurement Quality Statement and Data Quality Statement Data QualityAll sources of data used will be assessed for reliability of the data acquisition method used, and bias of the data source to the extent practical. Sources of data that do not meet high standards of reliability and impartiality will be excluded. All data used in the study will be referenced. Any concerns regarding the quality of the data or reliability of the sources will be recorded and communicated to and discussed with the client.Measurement QualityData relating to the costs (CAPEX and OPEX) and performance of gas separation technologies will be used to estimate the overall levelized cost of separation (per unit of hydrogen delivered). The Excel model used for these calculations will be subject to a rigorous testing and quality assurance process. Steps include:1) A thorough review of all input assumptions assessing whether the proposed inputs assumptions are valid and representative of the technologies / scenarios under consideration. Confirmation that all units are correct and that the assumptions are unambiguous.2) Review of all formulae check that all formulae are correctly coded and follow best practice recommendations (e.g. avoiding any hard-coded values and ensuring all calculations use easy-to-review formulae).3) Review of outputs the results of the modelling tool will be reviewed and stress tested against a wide range of input assumptions. The stakeholder engagement and review exercise also provides a further opportunity to check and validate findings.In addition to the steps described above, the project team will adopt a clear, consistent file naming convention to ensure version control of all documents, data sets, and tools associated with the project. The project is rated low in the common assessment framework detailed in the ENIP document after assessing the total project value, the progression through the TRL levels, the number of project delivery partners and the high level of data assumptions. No additional peer review is required for this project. Work package 1:market assessment and technology review1.1 Market assessmentTo initiate the study, ERM will identify and characterise available gas separation technologies and solutions for both hydrogen purification and deblending that are at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6 or above. They will conduct a literature review to identify any additional technologies that should be included, for example as a result of further technological developments since the HyNTS study.1.2 Technology reviewIn this task, ERM will conduct a more detailed assessment of each of the technologies identified in Task 1.1. This wil include determining representative technical and economic parameters including:CAPEX up-front capital costs (distinguishing between factory gate and fully installed costs where possible);fixed OPEX costs of maintenance, consumables, etc.;variable OPEX running costs which vary with operation;other technical characteristics such as hydrogen feed-in content, throughput rate, input and output pressures, operating temperature, achievable purity, hydrogen recovery and tolerance to poisons; andmaturity and expected development timescales.1.3 Preferred technology shortlistBased on the analysis in Task 1.2, ERM will compare the gas separation technologies and summarise the analysis in assessment matrices.This exercise will be performed from the perspective of best-serving "protective" customers, who wish to continue using natural gas, and from the perspective of serving "progressive" customers who wish to use an enriched blend or 100% hydrogen.Work package 2: embedded gas separation opportunities and risks2.1 Technology assessment by applicationIn this task, the potential of the shortlisted technologies will be assessed in relation to the needs of the various applications within WWU"s customer base.To conduct this assessment, ERM will first characterise the requirements for each application. This will include consideration of technical factors such as required pressure, purity requirements and typical scale of demand, as well as the timescales, willingness to pay and drivers for their potential transition to hydrogen or an enriched blend.Based on the characterisation of the application requirements, ERM will then assess the ability of the technologies selected in Task 1.3 to meet these requirements, drawing on the assessment in Task 1.2.2.2 Preferred technology selectionBased on the assessment in Task 2.1, ERM will propose preferred technologies for each application. The rationale behind the technology selection will include discussion regarding:any standout opportunities for low-cost deployment and integration;the associated risks and limitations of each technology (e.g. scale, timescales, wider value chain effects);drivers and dependences, i.e. the key developments needed to unlock the technology"s potential.2.3 Billing methodology assessmentIn this task, ERM will discuss the implications of the selected gas separation technologies on the billing methodology for customers.Work package 3: application of preferred solutions and case studies3.1 Case studiesIn this task, ERM will define three case studies which consist of realistic combinations of end use applications based on current and expected hydrogen and natural gas demands.3.2 Cost assessmentFor each case study, ERM will estimate the CAPEX and OPEX of the gas separation solution. They will draw on data gathered in WP1, and will sense-check and refine the cost estimates through discussions with stakeholders and comparisons to existing literature. They will also consider the potential effects of economies of scale and future cost down associated with technology maturation.3.3 Conclusions and recommendationsERM will collate the findings of the study into a final report. They will prepare both a detailed internal report and a summary report without sensitive information which can be used for external engagement.There is a lot of ongoing work to identify the most effective route to meet net zero in the UK and this project is one of many projects to evidence the major or minor role hydrogen will have in different scenarios. Repurposing the UK gas networks with hydrogen to support the challenge of the climate change act has the potential to save £millions with minimal gas customer disruption verses alternative decarbonisation solutions To demonstrate where gas separation technology can strengthen the case for large scale network blending, and how this can also provide flexibility to customers in early cluster projects. | |
| Abstract | By embedding gas separation solutions within the gas network, strategic gas separation could have the ability to provide customers with the type and quality of gas which they need whilst the energy system around them is transitioning. This not only builds flexibility into the gas networks and wider energy system, but also strengthens the case for large scale blending which, in turn, could accelerate the hydrogen economy and decarbonisation in a piecemeal fashion. | |
| Data | No related datasets |
|
| Projects | No related projects |
|
| Publications | No related publications |
|
| Added to Database | 02/10/24 | |
