H21, the UK gas industry programme focused on converting the
network to carry 100% hydrogen, has recently been awarded a further
£6.8 million in Ofgem innovation funding to support a second phase
of research and development.
The collaborative industry project, led by Northern Gas
Networks, is establishing the critical safety evidence to prove a
hydrogen network is a viable alternative to the natural gas network
heating UK homes and businesses today.
This second wave of funding builds upon the first phase of work
which focused on leakage testing of assets and consequence testing
of different leakage scenarios and was carried out at the HSE
Science and Research Centre, in Buxton, Derbyshire.
HSE will continue to provide its expertise during Phase Two when
it will technically appraise the existing natural gas network
procedures. HSE experts will refine and evaluate the procedures and
components used within the current distribution network and provide
the evidence base should it need to change for 100% hydrogen.
Stuart Hawksworth, who leads HSE's research and consultancy in
the area of energy and major hazards, and is the current President
of the International Association for Hydrogen Safety,
commented:
We are delighted to continue our involvement in this project.
HSE has built an impressive portfolio of work to support the safe
introduction of decarbonised energy technologies. Our contribution
to projects such as HyDeploy, HyTunnel and H21, as well as our
pioneering work in the safety of lithium-ion batteries, is
positioning HSE as the key project partner for the safe
introduction of new energy technologies.
Want to know more? Join us at our next event: The Future
of Gas III
Recognising that knowledge sharing and industry collaboration
will be key to helping the UK make a safe decision on future energy
policy, HSE is delighted to announce 'the Future of Gas III'.
Back for its third year, this two-day event brings together key
players from industry, government, research and standards-making to
share knowledge, insight and current thinking and overcome the
health and safety challenge of innovating and regulating hydrogen
as a future energy source.
Join us at our next event: The
Future of Gas III