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INDUSTRIAL AFFILIATES EAP GAINS MAM

£6.8 MILLION AWARDED TO ACCREDITATION

H21 FOR SECOND PHASE OF FROM OFGEM

HYDROGEN NETWORK RESEARCH

H21 HYDROGEN TESTING FACILITY

H21, THE UK GAS industry programme and maintenance procedures – an
focused on converting the network essential prerequisite to live trials.
to carry 100 per cent hydrogen, has A combined qualitative risk
been awarded a further £6.8 million in assessment will bring together
Ofgem innovation funding to support findings from the network testing and ENERGY ASSETS PIPELINES (EAP),
a second phase of research and that of the government’s £25 million an independent gas transporter,
development, part of which will involve Hy4Heat programme, currently has become an Ofgem-accredited
testing operational and maintenance exploring hydrogen’s use in buildings Meter Asset Manager, opening up
procedures on the gas network. and appliances. the potential for more efficient gas
The collaborative industry project is Phase Two will also build upon meter installations on new build
establishing the critical safety evidence customer research carried out in H21 residential developments.
to prove a hydrogen network is a viable Phase One, working with social science The company, launched a year
alternative to the natural gas network teams from Leeds Beckett University to ago by Energy Assets Group, is now
heating UK homes and businesses today. further understand public perceptions authorised to own gas meter assets
Led by Northern Gas Networks, in of hydrogen, while developing and supply them to housebuilders
collaboration with Cadent, Wales & West resources to enable consumers to make and contractors – offering utility
Utilities, SGN and new project partners informed choices on their future energy. infrastructure providers (UIPs)
National Grid Gas Transmission, H21’s Mark Horsley, CEO for Northern greater flexibility and control
second stage began in January. Gas Networks, said: “The research over the scheduling of meter
This marks a significant step towards being carried out under the H21 NIC is connections in the final stages of
securing a decarbonised heating essential for enabling the UK to move gas network construction.
solution, following the government’s towards a greener future. “This arrangement will shorten
2050 net zero pledge. “We’re delighted that our regulator supply chains for UIPs, enabling
Leeds Beckett University also recognises the importance of the them to schedule smart gas meter
joins the consortium for Phase Two, evidence being delivered, and to be installations seamlessly within the
alongside DNV GL and HSE Bespoke undertaking phase two of this ground- construction process,” said Andrew
Research and Consultancy. breaking project on behalf of the industry. Collin, EAP’s Network Manager.
A further £750k has been contributed “We firmly believe repurposing the “This will improve overall efficiency
by the partners, creating a total project network to carry 100 per cent hydrogen and help quicken project delivery
pot of £7.5million with which to further would represent a huge step forward times, which will benefit both UIPs
develop the evidence base. towards meeting the UK’s sustainability and developers.”
H21 Phase One received £9 million targets, as well as having a crucial role to EAP achieved accreditation
from Ofgem in 2017, and focused on play in satisfying customer expectations following a rigorous Meter Asset
leakage testing of assets and consequence for a cost-effective and minimal impact Manager Code of Practice (MAMCoP)
testing of different leakage scenarios. transition to lower carbon energy. audit. It means that the company
Phase Two will involve simulating “Our research, along with government is accredited to supply SMETS2
network operations on a specially data exploring the use of hydrogen in smart gas meters to UIPs and to
constructed network, at DNV GL’s base buildings and appliances, will not only own, operate and manage them as
in Spadeadam, continuing to use the enable policymakers to progress a policy assets alongside its ownership and
site deployed for Phase One of H21. decision on hydrogen, but will also bring operation of ‘final mile’ gas networks
Additionally, network research trials customers along on the journey. Their serving residential and commercial
on an unoccupied test site will be understanding is absolutely central to developments.
undertaken, to demonstrate operational acceptance of this technology.”

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