Safety of Hydrogen Blends in the Northern Irish Gas Network

Hydrogen is widely seen as one potential route to decarbonise our energy system. Blending of hydrogen into the existing natural gas network may be an important transitional step in the move to 100% hydrogen. The role of research in preparing for such a transition is key. An understanding of the differences in the behaviour between natural gas and a hydrogen blend is needed to inform safety cases and technical guidance.

Owen Wilson, Networks Safety Manager, Gas Networks Ireland and Dr Sile Brennan, Reader, Ulster University presented on an 18-month project focused on the safety of hydrogen blends, specifically on the topics of buried leaks and flame stability. The project, funded through the Department for the Economy NI’s Green Innovation Challenge Fund, brings together three of Northern Ireland’s Gas Network Operators: Phoenix Energy, GNI (UK) and Mutual Energy, with the Hydrogen Safety Engineering Research Centre at Ulster University. The goal of the project is to develop contemporary modelling capabilities, and novel solutions for the safe introduction of hydrogen blends into Northern Ireland’s gas network. Work began in October 2023 and final outputs are expected in March 2025.

This work is supported by the Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE). CASE is funded through the Department for the Economy NI’s Green Innovation Challenge Fund and aims to transform the sustainable energy sector through business research.