This project seeks to investigate the repurposing of gas distribution network assets for the installation of ducted infrastructure to support operation of utility systems. These systems could be used for alternative utilities, unlocking a new revenue stream for gas operators, as well as deployment of fibre optic monitoring, helping to better understand the state of their existing gas asset networks. To achieve this, any deployed system needs to be technically, commercially, operationally, and regulatorily feasible. The feasibility of using the ducted infrastructure for monitoring in pipe conditions and surrounding conditions will also be assessed as part of this project, providing a potentially significant benefit to gas distribution network operators as the system looks to transition towards net zero. 

Benefits

Proactive Maintenance (Cost Avoidance)-
By monitoring the network, issues can be detected early which means they can be dealt with before they cause a large impact. This reduces the cost of maintenance compared to existing reactive methodologies.

Diversification of Asset Base (Investment Asset Risk Reduction)-
By installing ducted infrastructure, it allows for the gas network assets to be used for more than just gas distribution, e.g., to deploy a fibre network. This could create additional revenue streams out of the same assets and safeguards against changing uses.  

Customer Satisfaction (Reduced Customer Impact)-
Network issues are identified & resolved in a timely fashion, ensuring customers are faced with less disruption. This will be achieved by reinforcing network reliability.

Data Led Decision Making (Cost Avoidance/Mitigation)-
By monitoring the network, real-time information of the entire asset base can be gathered. This allows for data to help in the decision-making process by looking for areas of the greatest need when it comes to updating. 

Targeted Maintenance (Cost Avoidance/Mitigation)-
Data on asset condition from across the network will allow for areas with the most need of maintenance to be calculated.  The exact location of any issues can be pinpointed to within a few metres so any gas asset remediation will only require a small cost-effective surface excavation minimising disruption.  

Asset Records Audit (Cost Avoidance/Compliance)-
During installation of such a network into existing assets they can be surveyed in long lengths navigating obstacles such as siphons providing an audit of existing records and information on their condition.

Improving Access to Fibre Broadband to Customers &  Help Address Digital Poverty-
By efficiently deploying a fibre network through alternative methods, more customers will have access to fibre-based broadband.  More areas will have access to fibre broadband so this can be targeted to areas with low access to digital infrastructure addressing digital poverty.

Sustainable Building of Fibre Networks (Sustainability)-
Deliver fibre networks installation in a more sustainable manner than building new networks from scratch (Open Cut Trenching).

Raise private funding for the further development phases of the project-
During the feasibility there may be the option in parallel to seek private funding to fund the further technical and commercial development and pilot costs; conditional on success of this feasibility phase.  This could accelerate availability of a fully tested solution by 1-2 years and eliminate the need for use of regulated GDN innovation funding estimated to be £1.25-2.5m for other projects.