The strategic heat study will seek to evidence how to optimise our alarm, control and operating philosophies to increase energy efficiency, reduce unnecessary call outs and potentially eliminate the requirement for lagging.

Many of our sites have preheating systems installed to manage the Joule-Thomson effect from pressure reduction. There are a significant number of alarms and faults associated with preheating control systems. If we can optimise our control systems we hope to be able to eliminate unnecessary callouts and increase reliability and efficiency of these systems.

Following the introduction of the SGN/PM/CM/4 inspection process, significant corrosion has been identified at over 300 locations within above ground asset sites, a significant number of these were identified under lagging. To understand if the lagging is required it is necessary to understand the heat loss associated with the system.

Benefits

The success criteria for this project is to seek evidence how to optimise our alarm, control and operating philosophies to increase energy efficiency, reduce unnecessary call outs and potentially eliminate the requirement for lagging. The project will be determined to be a success if the following is achieved:

• Quantified heat losses associated with a range of sites.

• Develop software/excel spreadsheet with user guide for lagging decision support tool.

• Revision of existing SGN policy documentation with corporation of findings.

• Completed technical report on results, findings and comparisons between new and existing elements.

• Provide technical report on detailing fault reduction benefit option for SGN to optimise the alarm, control and operation philosophies and how the analysis can be used across the network.

• Share the learning of this project with the other Network Licensees.