Introduction from Ian Liddell-Grainger
Sitting Member of Parliament for Bridgwater and West Somerset, at time of event
Ian Liddell-Grainger, Member of Parliament for Bridgwater and West Somerset, highlights the sophistication of the UK's gas network, noting its critical role in daily life and its importance to national infrastructure.
During the talk, he emphasises the gas grid's potential to support hydrogen integration, which is vital for achieving net zero emissions.
He also highlights the necessity for the UK to develop its own energy sources, including wind, solar, nuclear and gas, to ensure energy security.
He concludes by praising the energy sector and the collaborative approach, where he compares the sector to a "village", with professionals from various fields working together to maintain and innovate the grid system, to reach environmental targets and maintain stability.
Presentation from Oliver Lancaster
Chief Executive Officer at IGEM
Representing the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM), Oliver Lancaster discusses the importance of net zero and the need for collaborative action to mitigate emissions. He takes the audience on a historical journey, starting with the gas industry's beginnings in 1792 when William Murdoch first produced gas from coal.
Oliver presents IGEM's ground-breaking grid connections research, which was done in collaboration with the gas networks. The work shows how widespread the gas grid is, with 67,000 industrial connections and 527,000 commercial connections, including large end users like hospitals. He points out that the gas grid supports 308 power stations, providing significant capacity and flexibility in power generation. He then moves on to discuss biomethane's contribution to the gas grid, with 153 sites currently connected and more on the way.
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