Transporting hydrogen at scale in a cost effective, efficient and safe way

Project summary

Conducted in collaboration with Cadent

There is a need to transport hydrogen at scale in a safe, efficient and cost-effective way. The challenge is designing, constructing and operating pipeline infrastructure that minimises capital and operational expenditure while remaining fit for purpose for the next 40 years and beyond. To achieve this, there needs to be advances in material selection and qualification, construction practices and integrity management for both transportation and storage assets within a pipeline network. There is also a need for pipeline systems to be constructed, operated and decommissioned sustainability, taking account of the circular economy.

This project will focus on enhancement of existing and adoption of new materials and processes to suit the needs of a hydrogen pipeline network. This involves a number of areas including understanding the needs and demands of a pipeline network and how it operates in order to balance supply and demand, the limitations of existing materials and processes for pipelines and how they are impacted by hydrogen, the possibilities of new materials and processes to improve existing practices, the technical readiness of new materials and processes, the qualification process and advancement of new applications, demonstration of value increases for safety, sustainability, reliability, availability and cost. The key is optimising the balance between these metrics to benefit the end consumer. The project should consider the applicability of novel materials, composites and self-healing capabilities.

The research should consider all aspects of the pipeline lifecycle, from design, construction, commissioning, operation and decommissioning.