Antony Green answers your #BurningQuestions
Every month, we invite experts from across the gas industry to answer your most pressing questions. This month, Antony Green, Chief Strategy & Regulation Officer at SGN, shares his insights on the transition to low-carbon gas, the role of SMEs in innovation, international engagement, and the future of gas engineering.
Q: The transition to low carbon gas is going to require significant change and technical innovation. How can the networks like SGN best encourage innovative SMEs to work collaboratively, with funding and guidance, to deliver the technological solutions required in this highly regulated industry to build the gas industry of the future?
A: We absolutely need innovation from the supply chain so it’s up to us as networks to identify and communicate the challenges effectively, so we link solutions to current problems and available funding. Getting those three things to align can often be a challenge and can be frustrating to those who don’t understand the mechanisms we have available, so communication is key.
Collectively, we need to build a supportive ecosystem that enables SMEs to drive innovation and deliver the next generation of low-carbon gas solutions. We always ask how we can collaborate and share information better, but if SMEs have examples of best practice they have seen in other sectors, they should knock our doors down to show us what has worked well elsewhere.
Q: Given Tony's experience on GERG, how does IGEM grow into overseas gas industries? We have a strong contingent in the far east but is there enough representation and engagement across Europe and the US?
A: There are many top-quality gas engineers in countries around the world, many will have membership of respective engineering institutions in their own countries. The UK has a long history exporting its gas knowledge so IGEM can build on that but needs to offer something different, something unique to attract additional membership from other locations.
We could investigate ideas such as opportunities to establish regional chapters, partnerships and form alliances with key gas industry associations such as Eurogas, the American Gas Association (AGA), and develop local IGEM chapters in strategic locations (e.g., Germany, Netherlands, Texas, California) to drive engagement. It would be great to see IGEM foster innovation and technical collaboration through cross border R&D initiatives.
Q: Linked to the above, how do we better gain insights around technology, best practice and developments from the around the world?
A: As we work towards net zero we have to be smart and innovate together, so be curious and reach out and develop your network, the vast majority of people and organisations out there are willing to collaborate and share their knowledge.
It's key to identify what has worked well in other territories (e.g., training programs, partnerships) and tailor these approaches for other markets. There must be opportunities to partner with global engineering schools to incorporate IGEM standards into gas engineering curricula and doing more international scholarships or exchange programs for future gas industry professionals.
Q: How do we encourage progression of professional registration through the levels from EngTech to CEng?
A: At a personal level, being recognised by your peer group as a professional competent person in the sector we work in has to be something we should all strive for, shouldn’t it? I think employers in the sector hold a much wider responsibility for a safe and reliable gas industry so ensuring our employees are continuing their professional development and are actively engaged in the sector has to be something we should encourage and support.
Q: What piece of advice would you give to someone starting out in their career?
A: Be flexible and ready to change, the job you’re doing today with the skills you have today will develop rapidly and possibly become obsolete over time. Embrace the changes and keep on learning and you’ll have a varied and fulfilling career.
Q: What piece of advice would you give to people who are on the client side of the fence and considering transitioning into the supplier side and vice versa having experienced both?
A: It’s certainly different switching from one to the other, you suddenly realise and respect the role each side plays. As a supplier you have your skills or hardware to sell which is only useful if the client wants those skills and hardware at that time. As a client you might not want them then but when you really need them you need someone who will step up to the plate and deliver. Taking the time then to engage with one another to build relationships, knowledge and understand each other is therefore key.
Q: How do we ensure IGEM, the gas industry and the variety of engineering roles on offer are celebrated as a theme with the Royal Academy of Engineering?
A: The Royal Academy of Engineering recognises all forms of engineering in its goal to develop a sustainable society – that’s one in which development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Transitioning our gas networks to all forms of green gas i.e. biogas and hydrogen from renewable electricity can certainly help us play a role in that agenda as we collectively tackle climate change. These topics are certainly on the agenda at the Royal Academy.
Q: As a visiting professor how do we get the best talent to roll off the university conveyor belt and into industry? Could the IGEM and the SGA Panel be doing more?
A: I’m currently chairing the EnerHy hydrogen CDT (Centre for Doctoral Training) and we have a fabulous group of researchers but we need more engineers, scientists and analysts to join our sector. The gas sector is going to be around for many years to come so we have to ensure students today are attracted to an industry that is engaging, interesting and challenging. To continue to compete for the best people we have to consistently be on top of our game!
Q: With your experience in hydrogen and gas network management, what do you see as the biggest regulatory hurdles in transitioning to hydrogen, and how might they impact gas engineers?
A: At the current time I think the production of hydrogen represents the biggest challenge overall, we will see renewable generation scale significantly in the coming years, but we also need production to scale and costs to drop significantly. To achieve this, we need solid policy decisions around production and transport that will bring inward investment to stimulate the market.
From a gas engineer perspective there are lots of challenges which actually present opportunities to be at the leading edge of the industry. We will need to adapt to new standards, safety protocols, and infrastructure changes. At SGN, we have two world leading projects in H100 Fife and LTS Futures. We have partnered with IGEM and Fife College to develop the curriculum and capability to ensure engineers can be trained in hydrogen-specific safety procedures such as leak detection, and emergency response. Maintenance practices will change and need different monitoring systems and we are already looking into this. Installation and servicing standards will evolve, requiring updated training and certification.
There are many opportunities for industry collaboration: Gas networks, regulatory bodies, and engineering institutions (like IGEM) should work together to shape standards and provide engineers with the environment where they can be proactive and stay on top of training and skills by obtaining hydrogen-specific qualifications.
Q: Given your work at SGN and National Gas, what lessons have been learned from hydrogen projects so far that could help gas engineers prepare for future network conversions?
A: We all need to be patient! Like many net - zero technologies I’m sure hydrogen will come but how much and where will take longer to establish. As a sector we have established a robust programme of research and have learnt a lot, that knowledge needs to be retained and built upon if we are to maximise the benefits we gain from the infrastructure that we as consumers have already invested in.
NEXT UP: Professor Russell Thomas: Exploring the Legacy of the Gas Industry
(Submit your questions by 15 April)
Russell Thomas is a leading expert on the history and environmental legacy of the gas industry.
As Chair of IGEM’s Gas History Panel and Co-editor of Historic Gas Times, he has dedicated his career to examining how the evolution of gas engineering has shaped society and continues to influence the energy transition.
A Technical Director at WSP and Visiting Professor at the University of Strathclyde, Russell combines deep historical knowledge with technical expertise.
His research has spanned the remediation of former gasworks sites, the environmental impact of industrial activity, the repurposing of historical infrastructure and the transition of the gas industry from town gas through to the industry we know today. He has contributed extensively to academic literature, advised on major engineering projects, authored Historic England’s research report on the manufactured gas industry and the new book Gasholders: A History in Pictures.
