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since the Beatles were topping the charts.
This announcement, alongside the
wealth of innovation the GDNs have been
undertaking in recent years, means this
has now become the most exciting time in
the evolution of the gas networks.
It has also never been as important
for policymakers and the gas
networks to work together. The UN
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change has provided stark warnings of
the need to act, while the UK also has
challenging climate targets to meet. The
imperative is clear and the networks
have responded.

Decarbonising gas to meet
climate change obligations will
require innovative ideas in the
transportation of low carbon
energy in the network

To address this challenge, we need
to take a new approach to the way we
meet our energy needs: one that makes
the most of our existing, reliable and
affordable infrastructure to develop
a low carbon offer that works for our
energy bill payers.
Britain’s extensive gas network
infrastructure provides businesses and
the public with the energy they need, at
the times they need it the most. It plays
an important role in generating electricity
throughout the year, while helping to
meet demand at those times when the
wind does not blow or the sun does
not shine. Decarbonising gas to meet
climate change obligations will require
innovative ideas in the transportation
of low carbon energy in the network.
One of the potential game-changers
is the move to increase the injection
of hydrogen and other green gases
into the networks. Already, nearly 100
green gas sites are connected to the
gas networks and this trend is set to
continue into the future.
The gas network companies are
running trailblazing innovation projects
Matt Hindle, Head of Gas for the Energy Networks Association, tackling some of the key challenges
looks at some of the great innovation work taking place within in this area. Collaboration between
the gas transmission and distribution networks networks is therefore absolutely vital to
delivering reliable, affordable and low
carbon energy in the most cost-effective
or years, the gas network Unlike other carbon-emitting fuels and least disruptive way possible.
companies have been quietly, such as coal, soon to become the nowhere The road towards net zero may be
efficiently and safely going about man of the energy landscape, green gases’ long and winding, but its pathways will
the business of keeping homes will continue to burn brightly – heating include an important role for hybrid
F warm and businesses running. our homes and energising the economy. heating systems, plus green gases
But their role is changing; from The Chancellor’s commitment to inject including biomethane and hydrogen.
hybrids to hydrogen, the gas network more green gas into the system, fixing a Research into hydrogen is
companies are now pushing the hole in energy policy, is going to herald happening right across the country.
boundaries of innovation. the biggest change to the gas network Led by Northern Gas Networks, H21

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