Wood is working with gas distribution company SGN to accelerate key hydrogen transmission infrastructure plans in Scotland and southern England.
Over the next 12 months, Wood is delivering three pre-FEED studies to determine the route and design of new dedicated hydrogen pipelines and associated transmission infrastructure. The company believes the project will support the UK’s commitment to Net-Zero by 2050.
The proposed concept also reuses existing natural gas infrastructure, which will link hydrogen producers with energy users looking to use hydrogen to reduce their carbon emissions.
The H2 Caledonia project combines two pre-FEED projects in the Central Belt of Scotland and the East Coast of Fife. These projects will explore the development of low-carbon hydrogen production in Scotland and will integrate with the ongoing Aberdeen Vision study, where Wood is also completing pre-FEED.
In central southern England, the H2 Connect project will develop an optimal design to connect a hydrogen network in the area, Wood noted. The project will focus on the development of hydrogen infrastructure and imports in the Southampton-Solent region, and future expansion plans for hydrogen production and storage.
“These projects are key enablers for the UK and Scottish Government’s carbon reduction commitments. We are delighted to continue to grow our relationship with SGN, working together on these hydrogen projects which are critical to decarbonising existing gas networks of the UK and deliver sustainable, low-carbon fuel across the country,” Azad Hessamodini, Executive Chairman of Wood Consulting. he stated
“Wood is playing a vital role in developing the UK’s hydrogen infrastructure, using our global hydrogen pipeline expertise as trusted technical advisors to deliver impactful projects that enable the UK’s net zero targets” , added Hessamodini.
“To meet the respective net zero commitments of the UK and Scottish Governments, the transformation of the gas grid system to 100% hydrogen offers customers and policy makers a potentially cost-effective and cost-effective decarbonisation pathway for home and industrial heating. The projects represent the ongoing preparation of our gas network to deliver greener alternatives to help meet the government’s net zero targets,” added Fergus Tickell, Solutions Leader at ‘hydrogen from SGN.
“H2 Caledonia and H2 Connect are key drivers in demonstrating how the gas industry can safely and practically transport hydrogen through its pipeline network, in addition to the strategic planning required for system transformations while converts gas networks in an affordable and practical way that ensures continued safety. of supply to consumers and companies”, he concluded.
It is worth noting that SGN and the UK’s National Gas Transmission announced plans for the H2 Caledonia and H2 Connect project in March 2023. They will work together with Project Union, a pioneering NGT project to create a hydrogen backbone of the UK, transporting 100 percent hydrogen and connecting production and storage facilities to end users, SGN said in a company statement at the time.
This hydrogen backbone will include up to 2,000 km of existing pipeline assets that will be reused in phases, SGN said. This represents a quarter of the UK’s current transmission network, meaning minimal new infrastructure will be needed in the early 2030s, the company added.
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