Sustainable energy is a burning issue, in every sense. And energy providers have a responsibility not only to their customers, but to the planet too.
In response to this, the energy regulator Ofgem has introduced the Network Innovation Competition. This initiative encourages projects that both question traditional methods, and develop more sustainable ones – benefitting consumers and the environment. Successful projects can then access funding to make their findings an industry reality.
Northern Gas Networks (NGN) – distributors of gas to homes and businesses across the north of England – recognised the need to explore more sustainable and economical sources of pre-heating. The pre-heating process warms gas to prevent freezing as it moves from high pressure networks to the lower pressure network. Traditionally, this heating process has been carried out by water baths and, more recently, boiler houses. But these systems were rarely interrogated in terms of emissions, sustainability and cost over time.
Seeking some fresh ideas, NGN invited parties not regularly involved in the UK market. They came up with some remarkable innovations: from adaptations to the traditional boiler system, to low pressure steam heating and a more radical switch to radiant heating. As a professional services provider for NGN, QEM Solutions have been supporting the trial of two new technologies across six sites.
These technologies and their increased pre-heating efficiency will be monitored live. The data generated will be available, not just to NGN, but to any gas distributor who wants to invest in the best technologies for the future: for their company, their consumers, and for the planet too.
Before and after photos from Towton AGI