Every form of energy including natural gas and electricity has its own specific risks which are identified and managed. It is the same for hydrogen. The gas industry makes gas networks safe by design, has an excellent safety record, and are experts in managing the risks associated with natural gas. We’ll apply the same safety principles, priorities, and safety measures – including any new measures if needed - to hydrogen gas to ensure a safe network.
An important part of this is engaging with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Great Britain’s national independent regulator for workplace health and safety, as part of the transition from natural gas to hydrogen.
Hydrogen-ready pipes
H100 Fife is our world-first green hydrogen heating trial in Levenmouth, Fife, where up to 300 homes will use green hydrogen for heating and cooking. For this trial, we’re installing a brand-new network of modern plastic polyethylene (PE) pipes which are hydrogen ready.
In the UK, PE pipes were being laid as early as the 70s. Today, over 80% of the gas distribution network is made up of PE pipe, so we are well on our way to being prepared for converting gas networks to hydrogen.
Watch: Max Biret, H100 Fife Distribution Manager, explains his role in constructing the world’s first hydrogen network.
Transmission pipelines
Our LTS Futures project is verifying the compatibility of Great Britain’s larger local transmission system pipelines with hydrogen gas. We’re carrying out tests on the suitability of a decommissioned pipeline for a live hydrogen trial. This pipeline is 30km long and runs from Grangemouth refinery to Granton, on the outskirts of Edinburgh. If we’re successful we’ll be able to proceed to a live trial in 2024 which will deliver a blueprint for repurposing Great Britain’s LTS network.
Our industry partners National Gas are delivering the FutureGrid project – the first of many steps towards a full-scale conversion of the existing National Transmission System (NTS) to transport hydrogen.