Introduction to the Gas Network from Beach to Burner

Course Summary

The UK gas industry is a vital part of the nation's energy supply, playing a significant role in heating, electricity generation and industrial processes. It involves the extraction, import, transportation and distribution of natural gas, with a mix of domestic production and imports from various sources.

This introductory course provides an essential overview of the industry's structure, key players, and the journey of gas from source to consumer. It touches on the technical aspects of gas distribution and storage, biogas and hydrogen, decarbonisation, energy systems and energy networks. 

Learning outcomes

• Understanding the nature, composition and availability of natural gas
• Technical understanding of how the UK natural gas network operates
• Appreciation of how the gas network transports gas across the country and how it is used as a key source for gas storage.
• Understanding of hydrogen and its potential future role in natural gas markets
• Confidence in understanding jargon and specific gas issues

Course content

The course comprises PowerPoint presentations, case studies, general discussions, group work and quizzes covering eight sections:

Background to the gas market
•    An introduction to natural gas
•    Global gas supplies
•    Where does natural gas come from?
•    How does gas get to us?
•    Gas consumption

High-pressure gas transmission pipelines
•    Overview of the NTS
•    NTS infrastructure
•    Pipeline design and operation
•    How will high-pressure pipelines handle hydrogen?
•    Case study – The IUK Interconnector

Moving gas via gas distribution
•    Gas distribution infrastructure
•    Gas shrinkage 
•    PRI design
•    Operational security
•    Future proofing the GDN’s for hydrogen

Storing gas
•    Factors driving the development of gas storage
•    Types of gas storage
•    Overview of UK gas storage
•    The role and use of gas storage
•    Case Study: Gas storage in GB

Biogas and other renewable alternatives
•    Factors favouring biogas
•    Types of renewable gas including biogas
•    Overview of biogas in the UK
•    The role of biogas in the future gas market
•    Case Study: Biogas in road transport

Sources of gas - hydrogen
•    Introduction to hydrogen
•    Defining different types of hydrogen
•    Why do we need hydrogen?
•    How can hydrogen help?
•    Sources of hydrogen

New ways of operating energy systems
•    Intermittency
•    Gas in gas (Mixing hydrogen and natural gas)
•    Case study – Vietnam decarbonisation strategy 

Energy networks the future
•    Overview of gas and power networks
•    Overview of gas T&D networks
•    Future of methane and hydrogen

Who should attend?

Newcomers to the gas industry.  Individuals starting their careers in the energy sector or those transitioning from other industries.  Non-technical staff who need a broader understanding of the gas industry.  Individuals working in areas like, regulation, policy-making or energy trading, who need a foundational understanding of the gas industry. Individuals interested in energy and sustainability.  Those wanting to learn more about the role of gas in the energy transition and the challenges of decarbonisation.

Trainers

Duncan Jack is an industry expert with over 30 years in energy, who began as
a scientist at British Gas, gaining expertise in gas transportation. He transitioned
to industry codes and trading arrangements, collaborating with regulators,
government, consumer bodies, and market participants. Duncan’s experience
provides him with a deep understanding of technical and commercial issues in
system balancing, settlement, and integrating renewable energy in power and
gas projects.

Mike Madden is an international energy expert with over forty years in the gas
industry, combining technical engineering with commercial experience. At British
Gas, he held various roles in gas transmission and distribution, concluding as a
commercial negotiator, developing gas-to-gas competition and the UK gas
Network Code. Since founding MJMEnergy in 1995, Mike has worked in over
forty countries, including France, Greece, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Singapore,
and Pakistan.

Testimonials

Don’t take our word for it, this is what delegates on previous courses have to say:

“The course covered a huge breadth of content which was brilliant, and this will help me enormously in my role as I’m so new to the sector.”
“The passion, enthusiasm and expertise of both trainers was fantastic and made the course more engaging.” 
“I enjoyed the interactive elements which helped to break up the session and were a good way to meet other people on the course.”  
“Breakout rooms encouraged engagement with the content rather than just sitting and watching the presentation.”

Joining instructions

Once you have booked you will be sent your MS Teams joining invite nearer the date of the course.  The course will take place on two consecutive mornings from 9.00am to 12.30pm.

Post event 

Attendees will receive links to the video recordings of the sessions, a pdf file of the PowerPoint slides shown and a CPD certificate of attendance.

Contact info

Email [email protected] or call 01509 678150