ENA 2023: Gas Goes Green

James Earl, Director of Gas, ENA:

James has over 10 years of experience in the energy sector. He began his career in the energy industry at Ofgem, where he spent 7 years working across regulation and policy projects, in both the gas and electricity markets. Later, as an Associate Director at KPMG, James specialised in the future of gas, hydrogen and carbon capture. He has worked extensively with the gas networks, as well as with government, prospective hydrogen producers and investors, as a key advisor on energy transition.

From 2020 to 2025 we are preparing for the transition, continuing to replace old iron-mains gas pipes with new hydrogen-ready plastic pipes, completing the safety tests, trialling 100% hydrogen in homes, and carrying out network modelling to ensure that we can continue to deliver the energy people need, when they need it the most. This first stage will give Government the information required to make policy decisions on the conversion of networks in 2025.

From 2025-30, we will start rolling out pilot schemes around the country, to turn this preparation into action. This will include bigger 100% hydrogen household pilots, replacing up to 20% of natural gas with hydrogen in certain parts of the gas network and making the changes necessary to ensure people’s energy bills are accurate as they use different types of gas in their homes. The replacement of old iron-mains pipes with new plastic hydrogen-ready ones will also continue.

In the 2030s, we will scale up our work significantly. We will build new hydrogen pipelines to connect those areas of heavy industry that need to use hydrogen as a replacement for natural gas first, whilst also connecting sites to the network that can store hydrogen for when it is needed. We will also be connecting hydrogen production sites. By now, the replacement of old iron mains with hydrogen-ready pipelines will be completed, which means we can begin rolling out 100% hydrogen conversion for use in homes, dispersed industry and transport.

In the 2040s, the full transition will occur, with a national hydrogen network in place and hydrogen a normal part of training for Gas Safe engineers fitting hydrogen boilers, cookers and other appliances in people’s homes.

Where are we now?

We all understand the plan is far more complex than this synopsis makes it appear. During this IGEM webinar James Earl, Director of Gas, at ENA, will explain where we are on the journey and present GGG’s 2023 plan.

There will be a Q&A session after the presentation.

Who Should attend?

Supply chain, services, and commercial/domestic end users.

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ENA 2023: Gas Goes Green

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