Variable gas blend measurement system development

We’re looking to transition our network to carry pure hydrogen and blends of hydrogen, to help us decarbonise and reach net zero by 2050.

Traditionally, flow meters and gas analyser technologies have been used across the National Transmission System (NTS) to measure the flow and energy characteristics of natural gas in the network.

While the gas we transport may change, we’ll still need to measure these attributes for the blends of gas flowing through our network, to allow for efficient management of the system and accurate customer billing.

This will require flow meters and gas analysers with hydrogen capability and an increased quantity of accurate measurement equipment that is better connected and quicker to respond to varying hydrogen blends.

We’re running a desktop study project to assess the capability of our existing gas measurement assets when exposed to different hydrogen scenarios, to better understand what potential limitations we may face when we begin transitioning the network.

We’re also conducting a thorough technology review to identify whether other measurement systems are available with hydrogen capability, to maintain the accurate levels of measurement we experience with natural gas, when used in future hydrogen scenarios.