The project will undertake a feasibility study on an example NTS compressor station to examine safety, environmental, technical, operational and economic issues in blending hydrogen/methane for combustion in a gas turbine (GT) driving NTS compression. The project also determines how to establish an innovative green hydrogen production, storage and supply facility to fuel GTs on varying hydrogen/methane blends.
This strategic study is preparatory work ahead of demonstration in an NTS compressor station, which precedes hydrogen blending in NTS compressors as ‘business as usual’. Higher hydrogen concentrations may be achieved in the GTs in advance of similar blends within the transmission pipes. As such, this strategic and innovative project could de-risk the hydrogen transition of GT compression operations and bring forward CO2 and NOx reductions.
Benefits
The National Transmission System (NTS) is a key UK infrastructure for the transport of Gas to consumers, including those considered vulnerable. In a scenario where hydrogen replaces methane as a household heat source, it is essential the vulnerable are not excluded by virtue of fuel inaccessibility. In cases where vulnerable consumers already utilise gas it is likely that in a net zero future the optimum option is to provide a consistent energy solution. The transition to hydrogen within the NTS provides continuity of access to the vulnerable of hydrogen as a replacement to methane, with ongoing benefits of efficiency and economy of scale within a closely regulated environment. This project supports the transition of the NTS to hydrogen which in turn supports the availability of gas to the vulnerable.
Learnings
Outcomes
For the feasibility study, 2 scenarios were assessed: 25%/75% vol hydrogen/natural gas blend & 100% vol hydrogen. The study found it is viable to run the Siemens Energy SGT-A20 Gas Turbines on blends of hydrogen and natural and up to 100% hydrogen and there are historic examples of this type of GT doing so without detriment.
The study also found it would be viable to supply green hydrogen to the SGT-A20 GT at an example compressor station.
As referenced in Section 4 above and in addition, detailed project reports have been produced for each Work Package, with a final report prepared and shared via the ENA in the usual way, see www.smarternetworks.org
Lessons Learnt
The Project set out to deliver the following New Learning which could great inform future projects:
1. Operational learning from running SGT-A20 GTs on varying blends of hydrogen/methane ahead of blends in NTS.
2. Understanding of the effect of Hydrogen on our NTS compression assets (including a study on their current state)
3. Scale of CO2 and NOx savings realizable.
4. Commercial arrangements required to support green hydrogen production and storage facility development.
5. Interactions between the vectors of green electricity and gas.
6. Analysis of upgrades required to balance of plant at NTS compressor sites to allow hydrogen to be used as a fuel gas
7. Potential for model replication at other compressor sites.
