The HyVoltage Project led by Wales & West Utilities will assess the viability of introducing ‘flexible vector conversion’ links between the gas and electricity distribution networks.
The project will assess the viability of sites with smart links between the gas and electricity distribution networks, whuch would produce hydrogen for storage or the gas grid when electricity supply exceeds demand, using wind and solar, and generate clean power when it is needed on the electricity grid.
The project will consider the benefits of the technology and the barriers to its implementation and will include National Grid Electricity Distribution as non-funding partner. Prof Phil Taylor from the University of Bristol will act as an expert advisor. The work will be delivered by Frazer Nash and supported by Cornwall Insight.
Sian Rowlands, Innovation Manager at Wales & West Utilities, said: “Gas and electricity distribution networks will be required to work together to achieve net-zero emissions targets and secure future system resilience. A key output of the HyVoltage Project will be a strategic view of the feasibility of vector conversion links and the beneficial role these could play in enabling gas network infrastructure to play its full role in the net-zero transition.
“If successful, our project hopes to show that exploiting existing gas network infrastructure is crucial to transitioning to a green energy system, offering significant cost savings for networks and consumers, regardless of whether the networks are used for distribution, storage or both.”
The Wales & West Utilities gas network supplies 54 gas engine arrays and CNG buses at three garages in the south west of England, it also has 20 biogas injection sites.