UIOLI funding case study
UIOLI funding case study
Developing a hydrogen network for industrial decarbonisation
Funded by Ofgem’s Use It or Lose It (UIOLI) fund, we’ve embarked on a project to explore the development of a 100% hydrogen network, capable of supplying industrial customers across the UK’s North East Coast.
The region is home to a significant concentration of hydrogen production facilities and heavy industry. However, some industrial users are located further afield and lack access to these facilities. This project aimed to close that gap by investigating how a region-wide hydrogen network could be developed and made accessible to all industry.
Creating a network that reaches all industrial users, particularly those unable to electrify, is a crucial step towards enabling industrial decarbonisation and supporting the UK’s net zero target by 2050.
Our pre- Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) study focused on:
- Mapping industrial hydrogen demand and quantifying usage
- Assessing the current availability of hydrogen production and storage facilities
- Evaluating the potential for repurposing our existing assets
- Appraising the route for new pipeline assets.
These insights allowed us to define the type of distribution infrastructure required and propose engineering solutions, including a mix of repurposed pipelines and newly built assets, to create a future-proof hydrogen network. The next phase of the project will be to develop delivery plans for a comprehensive hydrogen network that is capable of serving all industrial users.
Camila Blanco Hydrogen Project Manager at NGN
“This is a hugely ambitious and first-of-its-kind project in the UK. It marks a vital step towards developing hydrogen infrastructure that can power major industrial hubs along the East Coast.
“We’ve worked closely with industrial partners to understand their energy requirements, helping us to design a network that will meet their needs and accelerate their journey to net zero.”
Key benefits:
- Significantly improved understanding of our network’s capacity and suitability for hydrogen transport.
- Established a dedicated hydrogen team within NGN, focused on supporting industrial decarbonisation.
- Strong engagement with industrial users to align infrastructure plans with their evolving energy needs.
- Full implementation of the network could reduce industrial emissions by up to 1.9 million tonnes of CO₂ per year.
