OIL & GAS, UK

HYDROGEN -
DECARBONISING HEAT

SAFER, SMARTER, GREENER

2 Hydrogen - Decarbonising Heat
 Hydrogen - Decarbonising Heat 3

CONTENTS

THE ENERGY TRILEMMA 4

Gas and the gas industry 4
The future of gas in the UK 6
The role of hydrogen 6
The importance of carbon capture and storage 7

HYDROGEN - THE BENEFITS AND THE CHALLENGES 8

HYDROGEN 10
Industrial hydrogen manufacture 10
New routes to hydrogen 11
Hydrogen properties 12
Impacts on the gas grid 13
Using hydrogen 16
Legacy natural gas infrastructure 17

BENEFITS OF HYDROGEN 18
Public acceptance 19

CONCLUSIONS 20

DNV GL CAPABILITIES, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE 21

4 Hydrogen - Decarbonising Heat

THE ENERGY TRILEMMA

The energy trilemma has been well publicised.
Consumers require a reliable energy supply that they
can afford. This supply must, at the same time, be
resilient to political, economic and extreme weather
events. There is also a desire amongst most nations
to reduce carbon emissions and local pollution.
The emphasis on ‘green and clean’ energy is
currently strong. At COP21, the 2015 Paris Climate
Conference, nearly 200 countries established a
legally binding agreement to limit emissions with the
aim of keeping global warming below 2°C. This can
be expected to drive substantial changes to future
energy systems.
Gas and the gas industry
Use of natural gas in the UK dates from the 1960s
when, the development of the North Sea natural
gas fields offered a cleaner, cheaper alternative to
the existing coal-based production of Town Gas.
The conversion from coal to natural gas was
accompanied by the development of a national gas
transmission system and the merger of local gas
boards into the British Gas Corporation.
COP21 recognised that natural gas is the fossil fuel
best suited to meet the trilemma.

Gas provides the fastest and most

economic pathway to a world with both
lower carbon intensity and cleaner air
(source: COP21 report)
 Hydrogen - Decarbonising Heat 5

Natural gas has a low carbon content compared to

Fuel CO2 (g) emitted per MJ other fossil fuels, burns cleanly, has well established
technology and infrastructure, and is globally plentiful.
Coal 92-98.5
Gas can also be readily stored and transported, and
Diesel fuel/heating oil 70
is cheaper and easier to transport and store than
electricity. As an example the 260 km, 1 GW BritNed
electrical interconnector had a capital cost of Euro
Petrol (gasoline) 68 600 million. The 230km Bacton-Balgzand gas
pipeline also cost Euro 600 million but has an
Propane 60 equivalent capacity of 20 GW. In the case of
storage, the advantages of gas can be illustrated
Natural gas 50
by the fact that existing underground gas storage in
Europe exceeds potential European pumped
electrical storage by a factor of 12.
CO2 emissions by fuel type - Source: IEA

~ 70 TWh
~ 900 TWh
currently stored in EU
FACTOR 12 maximum potential for
pumped hydro plants
underground gas storage in Europe (mainly in
Norway, UK and Turkey)

However, natural gas is a fossil fuel and its use in the long term will need to be curtailed or managed if carbon
dioxide emissions are to be returned to pre-industrial levels.

© iStock Photo

Gas storage and transportation

6 Hydrogen - Decarbonising Heat
The future of gas in the UK
In 2015, UK carbon emissions fell to 38% below 1990
levels. In the last few years, almost all the reductions
have been achieved in the power sector due to reduced
use of coal and increased generation of electricity from
renewables. To meet future targets up to 2050, further
major reductions will be needed from all sectors.1
For the gas system, reductions can be achieved by
substitution of fossil natural gas with biomethane
produced from anaerobic digestion (AD),
bio-synthetic natural gas (SNG) generated from
gasification of renewable carbon feedstocks or
through capture and sequestration of the carbon
dioxide arising from gas production and utilisation.
All three options are limited since:
■■ Biomethane and bio-SNG supply is likely to be
limited by the availability of suitable feedstock –
the National Grid 2016 Future Energy Scenarios
reports that at present, slightly over 0.1% of the UK
gas demand is met by biomethane and bio-SNG
and in their ‘Gone Green Scenario’ (which assumes
continued government support for biomethane)
estimates that by 2040, biomethane might supply
7% of a reduced UK gas demand.
■■ There are currently around 23 million gas users
in the UK with over 80% of homes connected
to the gas network. Local carbon capture of each
of these individual emissions and transportation
of the captured CO2 will be extremely difficult
and expensive.
Far greater potential is offered by conversion of part,
or all, of the gas system to hydrogen.
1. Committee on Climate Change (2016): Meeting Carbon Budgets - 2016 Progress Report to Parliament Committee on Climate Change
2. KPMG (2016): 2050 Energy Scenarios - The UK Gas Networks role in a 2050 whole energy system
The role of hydrogen
To meet the 2050 carbon emissions target whilst
retaining the gas grid, a step change solution
beyond that offered by bio-SNG is needed.
Hydrogen, coupled with carbon capture and storage
(CCS) offers a solution and could play a major role in
meeting decarbonisation targets. Use of hydrogen
in a gas grid eliminates, at a stroke, carbon dioxide
emissions from all gas users connected to that grid
provided that any carbon dioxide arising from
hydrogen production is captured and sequestered. In
this way, many small, geographically scattered carbon
dioxide sources are replaced by a single large source,
dramatically reducing capture and transport costs.
A gas grid built or repurposed to supply hydrogen
has several advantages over electricity as an
energy vector:
■■ Large energy volumes can be stored using proven
methods at relatively low cost.
■■ Hydrogen transport via pipelines is low cost
compared to electricity and the volume of a
large-scale hydrogen transport system provides
inherent storage.
■■ Much of the existing gas distribution infrastructure
can be repurposed for hydrogen or to support the
distribution of hydrogen including over 230,000
km of low pressure local distribution networks.
A recent study2 undertaken by KPMG for the
Energy Networks Association indicates that
maintaining use of the gas system is the lowest
cost approach to decarbonisation of Britain’s
heat requirements.
© Shutterstock
The hydrogen option : clean and green energy
 Hydrogen - Decarbonising Heat 7

1 year

Pumped hydro
1 month Thermal energy storage
Discharge time at rated power

1 day

1 hour
Compressed or liquid
air energy storage Hydrogen or
gas storage

1 min Batteries
Flywheels

Super-capacitors

1 sec
1 10 100 1 10 100 1 10 100 1 10 100
kWh kWh kWh MWh MWh MWh GWh GWh GWh TWh TWh TWh

Energy capacity
Energy capacity by discharge rate

■■ Hydrogen generated by electrolysis using The importance of carbon

electricity from wind, solar or other low carbon
sources during periods of low electrical demand
can be accommodated. This links the electricity
and grids, increasing flexibility of the whole
system, as the fraction of variable renewable
energy sources increases. As shown by the figure
above, energy storage by hydrogen or natural gas
in underground cavities or depleted gas fields can
not only meet daily demand variations, but can
also meet seasonal variations in power
or heat demand.
capture and storage
In the short-term, development of a large-scale
hydrogen supply chain will probably be based on
proven technologies converting fossil fuels such as
natural gas and coal to hydrogen. To achieve the aim
of decarbonisation, the CO2 emitted from the
conversion process must be captured and stored.
The technology for CCS is now considered
viable, and ample CO2 storage for UK needs has
been identified under the North Sea.3 However,
there is a need to establish a means of delivering,
regulating and funding the establishment of CCS.

3. Oxburgh (2016): LOWEST COST DECARBONISATION FOR THE UK: THE CRITICAL ROLE OF CCS. Report to the Secretary of State for
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy from the Parliamentary Advisory Group on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
8 Hydrogen - Decarbonising Heat

HYDROGEN - THE
BENEFITS AND
THE CHALLENGES
Hydrogen - Decarbonising Heat 9
10 Hydrogen - Decarbonising Heat

HYDROGEN
Industrial hydrogen manufacture
With a total estimated current global hydrogen
consumption of some 60 million tonnes per year,
industrial hydrogen production can be considered
a mature technology. It is estimated that 90% of this
hydrogen is produced and used on site as ‘captive’
chemical feedstock at locations such as oil refineries
and chemical plants. The total current UK demand
in 2015 for hydrogen was estimated to be between
500,000 and 750,000 tonnes. This is equivalent to 17
TWh and 25 TWh energy value - as energy content.
This compares with typical UK annual gas
consumption of 1,000 TWh, equivalent to about
30 million tonnes of hydrogen.
■■ USA: Air Liquide has 415 km of hydrogen pipelines
serving US Gulf Coast H2 production, users, and
storage in Spindletop salt cavern. Total capacity of
1.5 million Nm3/hr.
■■ USA: Air Products has the 960 km Texas-Louisiana
hydrogen pipeline, the largest in the world. SMR
linked to CO2 Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR).
CONVENTIONAL HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
Dr Andy Williams
Principal Consultant
Sustainable Gases
DNV GL Loughborough

Industrial hydrogen is produced from gasification

of coal, heavy oil fractions or steam reforming of
natural gas. These processes produce syngas (a
mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen) which
then undergoes further catalytic conversion and
purification processes to produce varying grades of
hydrogen. Oil refineries and ammonia plants will
purify to the needs of their downstream ‘user’
processes (typically 99.9% H2 with CO and CO2
limited to below 10 ppmv and CH4 below 1000
ppmv) and will always seek to identify the lowest
possible cost of hydrogen supply within this wider
quality specification.
Several industrial pipeline networks exist. These
have developed to meet industrial hydrogen users
requirements and some are linked to storage
facilities allowing them to deliver hydrogen from
one or more large volume continuously operated
hydrogen production plants, to multiple large scale
industrial users. Industrial hydrogen pipelines
which are of significant scale and length of
operation include:
DNV GL’s office in Loughborough was the
original home of British Gas Research and
Technology. The legacy of the experience in gas
manufacturing, conversion and treatment, dating
back to the Town Gas era, has remained through
the years. The capability is maintained through
technology licensing and process consultancy
with manufacturers and refiners.
Our recent experience includes consultancy
for gasification plants in China, where the
British Gas gasification technology is being
applied in the production of syngas (primarily
hydrogen), as a feedstock for ammonia and
methanol production.

■■ Germany: 240 km pipeline in Rhine-Rûhr valley,

and 135 km Linde pipeline in Central Germany.
■■ France and Benelux: 879 km of industrial hydrogen
pipelines operated by Air Liquide.

NEW ROUTES TO HYDROGEN
Our presence in the wind power industry and
work with UK GDNs has led to joint industry and
development projects with electrolyser suppliers.
In the Netherlands, we have monitored
electrolysers and their combination with
biomethane production via methanation processes.
DNV GL in Germany has also worked closely with
hydrogen suppliers during the FellowSHIP
project studying developing concepts for
hydrogen-fuelled shipping.
As part of the DNV GL 2015 Summer Project,
DNV GL experts guided a multinational team
of highly talented students in developing the
Jidai concept for a complete value chain of
clean hydrogen from ocean wind as a
cost-competitive solution to reduce the need
for electrical infrastructure.
Various energy sources: Traditional and alternative energy
Hydrogen - Decarbonising Heat 11
New routes to hydrogen
Electrolysis of water is the decomposition of water
into oxygen and hydrogen gas by passage of an
electric current. Several different chemical reaction
pathways are available, however alkaline electrolysis
and polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM)
electrolysis have reached the greatest commercial
maturity with module sizes up to 3-4 MW
commercially available.
Solid oxide electrolysis using high temperature
electrolysis conditions are still in a research phase
and currently not commercially available. They hold
the promise of higher conversion efficiencies,
as the elevated temperatures can decrease the
voltage required for electrolysis. Solid oxide
electrolysers can theoretically deliver electrical
efficiencies over 100% (the additional energy
being provided in the form of heat)
Hydrogen production via electrolysis looks
promising due to the potential growth of variable
renewable energy sources (RES) of electricity such as
wind and solar. Curtailment (the shutting down of the
RES generators during times of low demand or due
to limitations of the electricity grid) can be reduced
or avoided if rapidly responding users can utilize
this excess electrical power.
© DNV GL
12 Hydrogen - Decarbonising Heat
Hydrogen properties
To obtain HSE, and thus Government, approval for
the re-purposing of parts of the gas grid, it is
essential that the issues and risks associated with
a switch to hydrogen are fully understood and the
technologies and processes required to safely
operate a hydrogen distribution network undergo
evidence based validation.
Hydrogen has significantly different physical and
chemical properties to conventional natural gas
mixtures. It is highly diffusive, highly buoyant, has
a low minimum ignition energy and has different
combustion properties. Hydrogen also has a wider
flammable range and a higher burning velocity
than methane.
These differences combine in various ways to affect
the way hydrogen behaves and the hazards that it
presents. Hydrogen leakage rates from pipework,
fittings and equipment may be higher than those of
natural gas. In addition, at higher concentrations, it
is much more explosive than natural gas. However,
hydrogen has a much lower density than natural gas
so a hydrogen leak may disperse more rapidly than
escaped natural gas. The balance of how these
conflicting factors affect the risk is complex.
This means that the risks associated with replacing
natural gas with hydrogen cannot be assessed
by a direct comparison of properties, instead a
detailed understanding of the nature and magnitude
of hydrogen leaks and the behaviour of hydrogen
must be used to assess whether and how hydrogen
accumulations might occur and the severity of any
resulting explosion or fire.
RISK FOR A HYDROGEN NETWORK
The risks associated with hydrogen are in many
instances similar to natural gas but it’s higher
burning velocity means that under certain
conditions a hydrogen explosion could be far
more destructive. The perception of this risk
is an issue.
To address this there is a need to update forensic
evidence for hydrogen fires and explosions and
to validate existing risk models for a hydrogen
network through developing an understanding of:
■■ Behaviour of below ground releases
■■ Hydrogen build up in a wide range of conditions
■■ Potential for ignition by items common in
households or during emergency/repair work
■■ Damage potential
DNV GL’s Spadeadam test and research centre
provides a remote environment and has the
facilities for performing large-scale experimental
test programmes investigating the explosion, fire
and dispersion characteristics of hydrogen and
natural gas/hydrogen mixtures. The knowledge
gained from these test programmes has helped
develop and validate modelling techniques for
assessing the hazards from hydrogen releases.
Mike D. Johnson
Senior Principal Consultant
DNV GL Spadeadam
Testing and Research
© DNV GL
Hydrogen tests at Spadeadam testing and research

MATERIALS ASSESSMENT
DNV GL has been engaged in assessing
materials performance when exposed to
hydrogen and hydrogen degradation mechanisms
for over 30 years. The original work examined
hydrogen related materials issues as part of the
British Gas fuel cell research programme
whereas more recent studies have examined
materials aspects of hydrogen/methane mixtures
within the current UK distribution systems.
The scope of services for material
assessment includes:
■■ Materials teams – theoretical knowledge
combined with practical understanding of
engineering design, installation and operations.
■■ Metallurgical expertise
■■ Polymer expertise (composite, plastics,
elastomers, coatings, adhesives, fibres)
■■ Onshore & Offshore Pipelines expertise
■■ Coatings
Tim Illson
Principal Consultant
Materials & Corrosion Team
DNV GL Loughborough
Metal pipes in polyethylene insulation
Hydrogen - Decarbonising Heat 13
Impacts on the gas grid
The UK gas industry can draw on over 50 years of
experience with natural gas. During this time, there
has been a continuous process of maintenance,
upgrading, strengthening, and replacement.
Switching to hydrogen will mean that practices,
materials and technologies developed during this
time must be reviewed for use in a hydrogen grid.
Materials
Hydrogen is not especially corrosive but there are
several mechanisms involving hydrogen which can
cause embrittlement or damage to engineering
alloys. Much of the local gas distribution network in
the UK has been laid or replaced in recent years with
polyethylene piping which is resistant to hydrogen
attack. This replacement programme is expected to
continue until 2030.
This is a potential concern if existing metallic
pipelines and equipment are used for the
transmission of hydrogen gas or hydrogen gas
mixtures and it is likely that that existing high
pressure tiers of the gas transmission system will
need to be replaced by a new hydrogen
transmission system. To date, commercial hydrogen
pipelines have been designed using lower strength
carbon steels resistant to embrittlement. Similarly,
resistance and permeability testing is needed for
polymers used for gaskets and seals in valves,
fittings, joints and other pipeline equipment.
© Shutterstock
14 Hydrogen - Decarbonising Heat
Pipelines and gas installations
Hydrogen’s lower density and lower calorific value
compared to natural gas means that gas velocities
in some pipelines and gas installations may be up
to three times those currently experienced. These
increased velocities and other differences in the
behaviour of hydrogen and natural gas means that
an extensive programme of test work will be
needed to ensure that the many control and
pressure reduction installations in the network are
suitable for hydrogen use and, if not, to determine
the modifications needed.
Operations and maintenance
Similarly, the gas analysis methods and instruments
and gas quality measurements used to monitor the
gas supplied to the grid will need to be modified or
replaced with equipment suitable for hydrogen and its
likely range of impurities. DNV GL is currently
providing governance on the designs of the next
generation of gas detection equipment for the
identification of a wide range of pipeline and
non-pipeline gas products, including carbon
monoxide and the distributed gas odorant, mercaptan.
DNV GL’s rhinology expertise has recently been
employed in a Network innovation allowance (NIA)
study to assess potential odour masking by
hydrogen addition (up to 20%) in natural gas. This
study may be extended to assess the influence of
© DNV GL
DNV GL Testing and Research Centre Bishop Auckland
higher concentrations of hydrogen, or assessment
of alternative odorants via practical testing in
DNV GL purpose-built facilities. This work will be
supported by related theoretical studies on odorant
volatility and stability under gas grid conditions.
Emergency procedures may need to change where
hydrogen is present to take account of differences
in transport, combustion and ignition properties and
the behaviour of hydrogen as a gas.
New gas detection methods and instruments will
be needed as the current detection equipment
is designed for conventional natural gas mixtures
which do not include hydrogen. Similarly, equipment
for routine monitoring and flow measurements will
need to be replaced or recalibrated to take account
of the different properties (chemical and physical) of
hydrogen or hydrogen-rich gas blends.
Equipment used during maintenance must be
suitable for atmospheres where hydrogen is present.
The procedures for isolating, venting, purging and
then recommissioning sections of the grid will need
to be carefully assessed to take account of the
different flow properties of hydrogen and the
differences between its ignition properties and
those of natural gas.
SAFETY & COMPLIANCE
DNV GL’s legacy from the British Gas Research
& Technology and License to Operate divisions
means we have extensive operational experience
in supporting our customers legislative
compliance obligations. Currently DNV GL
provides the following safety and compliance
services, applicable to hydrogen:
■■ Safety Case support, ensuring an effective,
robust and auditable approach, as required by
the Gas Safety (Management) Regulations
■■ Safety Case reviews and Legislative Compliance
audits (Safety Case and Due Diligence)
■■ Pre-Startup Safety Review (PSSR) roles of the
Competent Person, reviewing and Accepting/
Signing the Written Schemes of Examination for
natural gas systems and also for hydrogen
■■ PSSR roles of the Competent Design Authority,
assessing and reviewing the competencies of
the client's multi-discipline design approvers,
and design appraisers to ensure all personnel
are deemed competent for the safety critical
design works

CONTINUITY OF SUPPLY
DNV GL has significant expertise in the
development and use of software for Network
Analysis. The software is flexible and can be
readily applied to hydrogen.
Experience includes:
■■ Evaluation of storage needs for networks based
on usage and delivery volume taking account
of availability, delivery and fill rates for different
storage methods
■■ Development of the diurnal storage
modelling tool (Consus) used by all UK Gas
Distribution Networks to determine their
storage requirements
■■ Calculation of storage requirement for the
Singapore transmission system addressing
potential system imbalances and development
an emergency operating philosophy
■■ Development and access to network analysis
tools such as GBNA and Synergi Gas for
distribution systems and Falcon and Synergi
Gas USM for transmission systems
Steve Bushill
Principal Lead Consultant
Simulation & Optimisation
There will be a need for adequate storage facilities
Hydrogen - Decarbonising Heat 15
Network capacity and storage
Ensuring a secure supply of hydrogen will also be a
challenge during a conversion project. At present,
the gas system can rely on a variety of mechanisms
and assets to ensure peak gas demands are met.
A new hydrogen grid will not have access to these
facilities and conventional hydrogen production
facilities will operate at lowest cost and greatest
efficiency if utilised at high throughput
throughout the year.
To allow for this, and to accommodate variable
hydrogen supplies produced from renewable
energy sources, there will be a need for hydrogen
storage facilities. The sizing and location of these
assets will need to be based on reliable evaluation
to determine the storage requirements. Typical
considerations for security of supply would be
customer demand profiles, demand forecast
accuracy and potential plant outage.
© iStock Photo
16 Hydrogen - Decarbonising Heat

Using hydrogen HYDROGEN APPLIANCES

DNV GL has supported end-use appliance and
equipment research development and testing
for many years, focussing on the UK natural gas
industry but also in support of new and renewable
technologies. This has included managing several
UK government and EU-funded projects.
DNV GL has three main facilities in Loughborough
(UK), Bishop Auckland (UK), and Groningen (The
Netherlands) with wide-ranging experience of
hydrogen and other gas types, and in the testing
and calibration of equipment.
Work in this area has covered pre-commercial
R&D activities, testing of new products and
commercial product evaluation through field trials
and long-term testing (including recent studies
on fuel cell microCHP, radiant panels for process
heating, and boilers/water heaters for domestic
installations). The laboratory facilities offer a
flexible area in which to test a range of
equipment for regular and performance
evaluation, compliance with emissions legislation
and trouble-shooting (fault diagnosis) to assist in
development and optimisation. Key aspects of our
laboratory testing approach include burner and
© iStock Photo

system efficiency, fitness-for-purpose and

low-NOx developments.

Inside hydrogen fill station Dr Martin Brown

Senior Consultant
Gas Quality Team
In the UK, existing gas fuelled equipment and DNV GL Loughborough
appliances are designed to operate on a carefully
defined band of natural gas compositions as set out
in the Gas Safety (Management) Regulations (GS(M)
R) and all gas entering the grid must be treated, and
in some cases blended with other gases, to ensure
that it meets these requirements.

This means that simple substitution of natural gas

by hydrogen will require investment in replacing or
modifying tens of millions of appliances.

Whilst the long-term role of hydrogen as an energy

vector is unclear, the energy supply is uncertain.
In the near term there are applications where
hydrogen use is developing. An example of
this is fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).
Car manufacturers have undertaken considerable
development of FCEVs and the commercial
availability of hydrogen vehicles is now being
matched by the development of a network of
hydrogen refuelling stations across Europe.

HYDROGEN BLENDS, BIOMETHANE
AND BIO-SNG
DNV GL has supported the gas industry in
introducing hydrogen and other green gases
into distribution networks in a number of ways.
In 2014 we undertook the HyStart feasibility
study which highlighted issues and solutions to
enable hydrogen injection into the gas grid at
concentrations of up to 20%. The study covered
gas quality, materials, leak detection,
components/infrastructure suitability, hydrogen
injection systems, flow measurement, hazards/
risks, control philosophy and end-use
equipment operability.
DNV GL is also leading the European HYREADY
JIP which involves developing guidelines for
transmission and distribution system operators
on injection of hydrogen and hydrogen blends
into networks.
In the UK, we have chaired over 20 gas quality risk
assessments for biomethane connections to the
gas grid. From these assessments gas quality
sampling and analysis protocols have been
devised to ensure that only biomethane compliant
with entry requirements reaches the grid.
Hydrogen - Decarbonising Heat 17
Legacy natural gas infrastructure
If it takes place, re-purposing of the gas
distribution network to carry hydrogen will be a
long-term project. If the outcomes of localised trials
of hydrogen in sections of the gas grid are positive,
a rolling programme converting major cities, towns
and regions across Britain will need to be planned.
This will include the location and planning of
hydrogen production or supply facilities and export
pipelines for storage of captured CO2. The existing
natural gas transmission system will largely remain in
place, supplying natural gas to hydrogen production
sites and it is likely that parts of the gas grid serving
less well populated or less industrialised regions with
low demand will remain dedicated to methane.
Retention of a countrywide natural gas capability
may prove to be necessary to take advantage of new
gas sources such as Shale, biomethane and bio-SNG.
This gas may be utilised by remaining methane
users or transported to SMR plants for
hydrogen production.
CO2 emissions from legacy methane users will be
unabated, but partial decarbonisation may be
possible by blending low percentages of hydrogen
into the legacy natural gas system and the continuing
use of biomethane and bio-SNG.
© Shutterstock
Shale gas exploration
18 Hydrogen - Decarbonising Heat

BENEFITS OF
HYDROGEN
■■ Repurposing the gas grid to hydrogen would avoid
PLANNING THE CHANGEOVER
the costs and disruption involved in replacing a
major part of Britain’s energy infrastructure. DNV GL has worked on a variety of high profile
■■ Following conversion to hydrogen, carbon dioxide gas infrastructure projects for conversions of
emissions associated with utilisation of natural existing piped networks, new infrastructure with or
gas will be emitted in a concentrated form at the without existing transmission pipelines, cylinders
hydrogen production sites. Capture of CO2 from and bulk storage or extension to existing
these sites will be easier and more efficient than networks. Key features include the design of the
decarbonisation of gas use by CO2 capture local to networks to ensure security of supply, reliability
gas end use or by replacement of the gas grid. and capacity to match predicted gas demand
■■ Replacement of natural gas blends with hydrogen profiles as well as a financial analysis of the
eliminates the risk of carbon monoxide being expected costs and revenues to ensure
produced by incorrectly operating gas appliances. economic viability of the gas distribution
■■ High purity hydrogen offers advantages as a fuel company. Examples of work:
for some high-grade heat processes.
■■ Singapore Natural Gas Conversion Master
■■ Creation of a hydrogen grid and user base
Plan – Towns Gas to Natural Gas
will provide a market and infrastructure into
■■ Oman Gas Distribution Conceptual Study
which hydrogen generated from renewables
■■ Bangkok Gas Distribution Feasibility Study
(power-to-gas and biomass gasification) can
■■ Abu Dhabi Gas Distribution PMC Project
be exported. In the long term, this renewable
■■ Barbados Gas Distribution Assessment & Review
hydrogen production can be expected to replace
■■ Merimon NG ltd, Gas Distribution Network
hydrogen produced from fossil fuels eliminating
Development Israel
the need for CCS.
■■ Israeli Gas Master Plan Review
■■ A hydrogen grid can potentially supply hydrogen
refuelling stations, lowering the costs of these
Andy Cummings
installations and enabling more widespread use of
Principal Pipelines Consultant
hydrogen fuelled vehicles.
DNV GL Loughborough

Public acceptance
Risks may be amplified through social mechanisms.
An accident may be followed by relatively little societal
disturbance if it occurs as part of a familiar and
well-understood system. However, a small incident, in
an unfamiliar hydrogen system may be greatly
amplified if interpreted as a signpost to future hazards
that could possibly endanger later generations.
These small accidents or incidents within unfamiliar
hydrogen systems are likely to be highly publicised.
Hence, the public’s decisions about risk tend not to
be technical, but value based decisions.
Public acceptance will be key to the successful
introduction of hydrogen into the gas grid. It will be
important to engage the public and other stakeholders
early, frequently, consistently and transparently.
A pivotal part of such engagement is the task of
communicating and informing the public about the
risks related to hydrogen and how it may differ from
natural gas.
Analysts and risk experts tend to employ structured
risk assessments to evaluate hazards methodically but
the “man in the street” relies on intuitive risk
judgement, or ‘risk perception’, which may be defined
as people’s beliefs, attitudes, judgements and feelings,
as well as the wider cultural and social dispositions
they adopt towards hazards and their benefits.
Public approval is key to the successful introduction of hydrogen
Hydrogen - Decarbonising Heat 19
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
In 2012 DNV GL developed a recommended
practice for public engagement and stakeholder
communication applicable for shale gas
(DNV-RP-U301 Risk Management of Shale Gas
Developments and Operations Jan 2013).
The recommended practice currently comprises
of ten elements. For application to hydrogen these
elements would be reviewed and tailored to cover
the process of converting an existing gas grid and
all the associated end user appliances, blends of
natural gas and hydrogen or 100% hydrogen.
DNV GL has also supported the HSE in consulting
on new policies and regulations, as well as
evaluating their impact.
DNV GL developed a consultation toolkit which
is a bespoke survey analysis tool, designed to
undertake analyses of feedback given to both
closed questions and those questions generating
free format responses.
This tool was used to support the collection of
views from companies, pressure groups,
charities, customers and members of the public.
The approach provided an objective evidence
base to appraise HSE’s actions and enabled it
to meet rigorous government requirements
for consultation.
20 Hydrogen - Decarbonising Heat
CONCLUSIONS
Companies across the gas industry are looking to
transition from conventional fossil sourced fuels.
This challenging and ground breaking innovation
is driven by emerging stakeholder demand for
affordable low-carbon energy sources.
For the UK gas industry, the introduction of hydrogen
into the energy mix is a potential solution and could
form an important part of the UK’s low carbon future.
However extensive work will be needed to prove that
the introduction of hydrogen will not compromise
the safety and integrity of the gas network and that
there is no increase in risk to the public either
directly or indirectly.
A further major barrier will be implementing and
funding conversion to hydrogen. In addition to
hydrogen production facilities, carbon capture and
storage facilities and a new hydrogen transmission
and storage system, there is the cost of replacing
consumer gas appliances. Whilst studies suggest
that retention of the gas network by conversion to
hydrogen is the lowest cost option for heat
decarbonisation, the cost and duration are expected
to be substantial.
Knowledge, technology and innovation is an enabler
for this transition and together with the industry,
DNV GL seeks to drive the sector forward and assure
its future by developing new technical solutions,
standards and industry best practices.
Our global team of more than 2,700 oil and gas
experts offer local access to world-wide best
practice in every hydrocarbon-producing country.
We provide a neutral ground for collaboration,
creating competence, sharing knowledge and
setting industry standards. Our ongoing investment
(5% of revenue) into research and innovation is
driven by our company-wide commitment to ensure
asset safety, reliability and performance on behalf of
our customers.
We recognise the challenges that need to be
overcome to allow widespread use of hydrogen.
Through our experience of managing large projects,
our knowledge of hydrogen and other gases and our
experience of managing risks, DNV GL can offer
a unique capability to the industry.
© DNV GL
Hydrogen is bonded in water
 Hydrogen - Decarbonising Heat 21

DNV GL CAPABILITIES,
KNOWLEDGE &
EXPERIENCE
DNV GL has over 40 years within the Gas
Distribution and Network industry and can therefore
offer a unique blend of expertise, capabilities and
experience. We issued our first report into the use
of hydrogen in gas networks in 2007, and developed
a methodology for the technology qualification of
equipment and processes for hydrogen usage in
the same year (called HYTREC). Since then, we
have initiated and supported cutting edge
research projects into hydrogen production
and use, collaborating with industrial customers,
and global bodies such as the IEA and the
European Commission.

Industry representation
To ensure compliance with external legislation,
policies and standards DNV GL sits on national and
international standards committees and bodies such
as CEN, IGEM, EN, IGU, ISO, BSi, and UKOPA.

Our representation at the Institute of Gas Engineers

& Managers (IGEM), the UK gas industry
institution is extensive.

DNV GL is also a member of the Carbon Capture

and Storage Association (CCSA), the Decarbonised
Gas Alliance (DGA), GERG and several ISO and
BSI technical committees. In Europe, DNV GL chairs
The European Power to Gas Platform - a joint body,
based on an integrated network of stakeholders,
which aims to explore the viability of
power-to-gas in Europe.
Participation ensures that we are at the forefront of
industry developments and research and are able
to use our knowledge to influence codes, standards
and thinking.
Regulations, codes and standards across europe
DNV GL has participated in HySafe, an EU funded
Network of Excellence facilitating the safe
introduction of hydrogen technologies. We led a
national project (HYTREC) on Norwegian and
international regulations, codes and standards
relevant to design, installation, operation and
maintenance of hydrogen refuelling, production,
storage and dispensing facilities. DNV GL chaired
the committee that developed the IEA Annex 19
on Hydrogen Safety (2010).
22 Hydrogen - Decarbonising Heat
Safety, risk and large scale testing
DNV GL’s Safety & Risk experts have extensive
experience delivering qualitative studies (HAZID,
HAZOP, SIL/LOPA, Human Factors), quantitative
studies (QRA, RAM studies) and regulatory
documentation (COMAH safety reports including
environmental aspects in line with SRAM1 and
CDOIF2 guidance). These methods have been
applied to hydrogen refuelling facilities for onshore
and maritime applications in Hamburg, Berlin and
Norway. In addition, we have developed and
maintained a Hydrogen Incident & Accident
Database (HIAD) which we believe to be unique.
© DNV GL
Hydrogen testing at Spadeadam testing and research
DNV GL has specific experience in assessment and
control of hydrogen transportation and storage risks
from our track record of work which includes:
■■ Full-scale experiments at Spadeadam Testing
and Research Centre to study fire and explosion
behaviour of hydrogen. This includes jet fires,
pipeline ruptures, gas build up, dispersion and
explosions. The tests have been done for various
industry and governmental clients. Experiments
have also been carried out for hydrogen/natural
gas mixtures (NaturalHy)
■■ Validation of fire and explosion models for QRAs
against full scale test data
■■ QRAs of transportation and storage assets
(hydrogen/natural gas/LNG/CO2)
■■ Logistics assessments for SGN SIUs3 on import,
transportation, logistics and storage of LNG and
on the supply, storage and logistics of nitrogen
for ballasting
■■ Lifecycle assessment to quantify environmental
benefits of the SGN Smart Networks project
■■ Development of QRA tools for hydrogen systems
as part of joint industry project, HYTREC.
1. Safety Report Assessment Manual
2. Chemical and Downstream Oil Industry Forum
3. Scottish Independent Undertaking

DNV GL’s Spadeadam Testing and Research Centre,
situated in 50 hectares of Ministry of Defence land in
Northern England, is a unique facility where full-scale
hazardous trials by testing equipment, components,
products, techniques and processes can be carried
out and data generated for validation by computer
models. Spadeadam has carried out key research
on hydrogen, CO2 and hydrocarbon transportation
and storage to facilitate major projects for oil and
gas majors.
Example hydrogen projects include support to
Total to develop a European network of hydrogen
filling-stations, undertaking an extensive
Hydrogen - Decarbonising Heat 23
© DNV GL
DNV GL : Spadeadam Testing & Research Ariel photograph
experimental programme on hydrogen storage
hazards on fuel station forecourts for a Japanese
client and a project investigating the risks associated
with a failure of a hydrogen pipeline.
For the latter, a client commissioned DNV GL to
perform two experiments where a buried 6"
diameter pipeline at an initial pressure of 60 bar was
intentionally corrupted using an explosive charge to
generate a full-bore release of hydrogen gas from
two open ends. This simulated a pipeline rupture
event in which a ground crater is formed in the
surrounding soil by the released gas.
24 Hydrogen - Decarbonising Heat
HYREADY
The HYREADY joint industry projects (JIP)
currently comprises 11 partners, including several
European transmission and distribution system
operators transmission system operators (TSO) and
distribution system operators (DSO). The objective is
to prepare guidelines to support the preparation of
natural gas networks and operations for the injection
of hydrogen, either pure or as a component in a
gas blend. The guidelines will lay down sound
engineering practice and guidance on mitigation
measures to ensure that the considered hydrogen
injection in the natural gas system can be done with
acceptable consequences.
The programme aims to cover all components of
a natural gas system and will examine the impact
of hydrogen and likely mitigation actions on the
process at:
■■ Component level: to what extent are the
component’s performance and characteristics
– including lifetime, leakage, permeability,
efficiency, accuracy– affected by hydrogen?
■■ System level: to what extent is the functionality
of the system affected by hydrogen addition?
For example, network capacity and calorific
determination system for billing purposes
■■ Location level: to what extent are the installation
requirements, including safety zoning, affected by
hydrogen addition?
■■ Operational level: to what extent are repair
procedures, maintenance tools, personal safety
equipment, etc. affected by hydrogen addition?
Ultimately it is intended to convert abbreviated
versions of the HYREADY Guidelines into DNV GL
Recommended Practices.
HyStart
DNV GL undertook a major feasibility study for
Northern Gas Networks and National Grid to prepare
ideas and develop knowledge which would support
a major demonstration project on hydrogen/natural
gas blending and to draw together a wide range of
background information to understand the potential
impacts on the networks.
The HyStart study covered:
■■ Field experience of hydrogen pipelines and
electrolysers for hydrogen production
■■ The impact of hydrogen on natural gas quality
in the gas distribution regions proposed for
a field trial
■■ The impact of hydrogen on the dew point
of the natural gas
■■ The impact on the combustion of the natural
gas-hydrogen mixtures
■■ The impact on domestic appliances
■■ The impact of hydrogen on odorisation
■■ Assessment of the suitability of test and
leak detection equipment for natural gas
– hydrogen mixtures
■■ Gas analysis requirements for customer billing
and system control
■■ The impact of hydrogen on distributed gas
network materials.
In addition, the project produced an initial
Quantitative Risk Assessment for the injection of
up to 20% hydrogen into the natural gas network.
DNV GL undertook feasibility level network
modelling for hydrogen into an example local gas
network and outlined a template for the design
of a gas entry unit (GEU) for hydrogen injection.
DNV GL identified a number of potential areas
requiring further investigation to help develop
a portfolio of evidence meeting the demands
of the HSE regarding a GS(M)R exemption for
hydrogen and proposed a number of tasks to
support this work.

Real-time networks
Understanding energy content and its impact from different energy sources
The UK gas network is increasingly required to
accommodate gases with varying energy contents
that range from low calorific value 'green' gases to
high calorific value LNG. Natural gas blended with
hydrogen will further extend the range of
energy content in the gas distribution networks.
Gas distribution operators operate their networks,
make investment decisions and sanction connections
of new supplies and loads using network models that
were developed for a stable energy source of gas
delivered from the National Transmission System.
The varying energy contents of the current and
future gas supplies and the options available to
energy consumers present new challenges.
The Real-Time Networks project was developed in
partnership with SGN, the second largest gas
distribution company in UK. The project is exploring
Hydrogen - Decarbonising Heat 25
© Shutterstock
the potential and viability of enabling gas distribution
network operators to understand the energy content
(rather than the pressure at a constant calorific value)
of their network in near real-time.
The project will develop new concepts for
understanding how modern consumers use gas and
the impact on the peak six-minute demand and the
peak one-in-twenty-year demand. The data analysis
will be a 'bottom up' analysis of the gas distribution
network based on consumers rather than the 'top
down' approach that is used now. The project is due
to finish in April 2019.
Future billing
The Future Billing Methodology Project is also an
enabler for hydrogen blends in the gas
distribution system – it will not be possible in UK
without a change to the billing system.
26 Hydrogen - Decarbonising Heat

2016 - Hydrogen value chain analysis in Western Norway

DNV GL investigated the potential for a full hydrogen value chain in Western Norway. The study was funded
by regional government and considered technologies, the market, potential production sites (electrolysis),
scenarios for future hydrogen demand and regional competence.

Hydrogen blending study for Norwegian pipeline system operator

In another ongoing project DNV GL are assessing the feasibility of using an existing subsea gas network
(based on Europipe 2) for transporting mixtures of natural gas and hydrogen. This project specifically
addresses pipeline integrity and safety aspects associated with different hydrogen/natural gas blends.

Maritime hydrogen
DNV GLs Maritime business has been at the forefront of studies on the use of hydrogen in shipping to
reduce emissions and carbon footprint. This work has included:

■■ Studies developing classification rules for zero emissions container ships and ferries
(Scandlines/Futureship, H2 2020 ferry)
■■ Organising the HySMART JIP- Hydrogen safety for Maritime and Transport applications
■■ Development of classification rules for maritime liquefied hydrogen carriers
(i.e. hydrogen transport by sea).

Low carbon shipping towards 2050

 Hydrogen - Decarbonising Heat 27

I believe that water will one day be

employed as fuel, that hydrogen and
oxygen, which constitute it, will furnish an
inexhaustible source of heat and light.
Water will be the coal of the future
(Jules Verne, 1874)

© DNV GL
SAFER, SMARTER, GREENER

DNV GL DNV GL position paper

Vivo Building, The objective of our research is to enable business growth in support of DNV GL’s overall strategy through new knowledge
30 Stamford Street, and services. Such research is carried out in selected areas that are believed to be of particular significance for DNV GL in the
4th Floor, future. DNV GL position papers are intended to highlight findings from our research activities.
London
SE1 9LQ DNV GL in brief
Driven by our purpose of safeguarding life, property and the environment, DNV GL enables organizations to advance the
www.dnvgl.com safety and sustainability of their business. Operating in more than 100 countries, our professionals are dedicated to helping
our customers in the maritime, oil & gas, energy and other industries to make the world safer, smarter and greener.

The trademark DNV GL is the property of DNV GL AS. All rights reserved.
©DNV GL 06/2017 Design: 170_RW Cover photo: © iStock Photo