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HYDROGEN TO SMELL LIKE

NATURAL GAS FOR THE FIRST TIME

INSIDE THE ODOUR UNIT

THE ODOUR UNIT AT SOUTH BANK

A PIONEERING ENERGY project used in the gas network, it will be next phase of H21, a major collaborative
to gather vital evidence about the odourised in the same way. UK gas industry hydrogen programme
suitability of the gas network to A bespoke unit has been built to led by Northern Gas Networks (NGN)
transport hydrogen will see the clean odourise the hydrogen at the South to assess the suitability of the UK’s gas
burning fuel odourised to smell like Bank site, with odorant added to network to carry hydrogen.
natural gas for the first time. hydrogen as it is distributed into the Neil Travers, H21 Project Manager
The project, located on a disused gas mains in the same way that natural for NGN said: “There is widespread
network of gas mains in the South gas is odourised today. awareness of the distinct smell of
Bank area of Middlesbrough, will test The UK has set a target of achieving gas amongst the general public, built
operational procedures under 100 per net zero carbon emissions by 2050 since the natural gas conversion of the
cent hydrogen conditions on an existing to help reverse the impact of climate 1960s and 70s. It’s vitally important
network for the first time. change. The natural gas currently used that hydrogen can be smelt to identify
Natural gas, just like hydrogen, is by the 85 per cent of homes connected a gas escape in the same way and
odourless, so a distinct and widely to the gas grid is responsible for up to 30 I’m delighted that our project will
recognised odour is added to warn per cent of the UK’s carbon emissions. see hydrogen odourised, as well as
everyone of a potential gas leak. Hydrogen produces no carbon when gathering vital information about
Following decades of familiarising the burned, making it a greener energy converting an existing gas distribution
public with the smell of natural gas it solution for heating and cooking. network from natural gas to 100 per
is expected that, if hydrogen is widely The South Bank project is part of the cent hydrogen for the first time.”

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27/01/2022 13:04
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IGEMNews_IndAffliates.indd 2 27/01/2022 13:04