H2 View understands DNV has been engaged to provide the evidence for utilising local transmission systems (LTS) high pressure pipelines by gas distribution company, SGN, which manages around 3,100km of LTS pipelines in the UK.

DNV says it will be providing key safety and operational evidence by carrying out offline tests as part of the project at its remote research facility in Cumbria.

Additionally, the programme intents to demonstrate hot working on hydrogen pipelines, delayed ignition and over pressure tests, burst and fatigue tests, as well as exploring hydrogen compatibility of existing pipeline connections and fittings.

As the project progresses, DNV have said it will also support a live network SGN trial by investigating the measurement and monitoring of a hydrogen linepack on a section of the local transmission network.

Angus McIntosh, Director of Energy Futures at SGN, said, “Repurposing the UK’s extensive gas networks to transport hydrogen offers an exciting opportunity to deliver deep decarbonisation of the energy system. We’re delighted to be working with DNV to undertake offsite testing at their Spadeadam facility.

“This testing is a key component of our overall programme and will provide critical evidence to support our live demonstration of a conversion of a 30km natural gas pipeline to hydrogen. The evidence and outcomes will be representative and scalable to all local transmission assets in the UK, over 11,000km of pipeline assets and associated plant.”

The project builds off DNV involvement in the National Grid Gas Future Grid Project, and H21 project for Northern Gas Networks which saw it invest in the construction of the HyStreet terrace of houses, used to demonstrate how hydrogen can be distributed into homes.

Read more: First UK homes heated with hydrogen

Hari Vamadevan, Regional Director UK & Ireland, Energy Systems at DNV, said, “In the UK’s recently published Energy Security Strategy, hydrogen is referred to as a super-fuel. The UK is intending to lead the way in developing hydrogen as a key domestic energy carrier, indeed recently doubling their ambition to 10GW of low carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030.

“The existing infrastructure is in place, and SGN is making a huge effort to accelerate the UK’s progress towards Net Zero.”