As part of the RIIO price controls we introduced the Gas Network Innovation Competition (NIC).
The Gas NIC is an annual opportunity for Gas network companies to compete for funding for the development and demonstration of new technologies, operating and commercial arrangements. Funding will be provided for the best innovation projects which help all network operators understand what they need to do to provide environmental benefits, reduce costs, and maintain security of supply as Great Britain (GB) moves to a low carbon economy. Up to £20 million per annum is available through the Gas NIC.
The 2019 Competition
We received two submissions to this year’s Gas NIC Initial Screening Process.
The following project will be allowed to proceed to Full Submission:
H21 - Northern Gas Networks
This project aims to expand the safety-based evidence for 100% hydrogen conversion in the below 7 bar GB gas distribution network.
The following project was not eligible to proceed to Full Submission:
Captivate - National Grid Gas Transmission
This project intends to develop a large scale demonstrator to evaluate a process to capture emissions from a NG Compressor Site, combining with waste material from the chlorine industry and “locking” the emissions into a mineral rock which has uses in the aggregate and building industries. The project will tackle all technical challenges and build on the work of an NIA (planned Q1 2019) and a potential BEIS funded project.
This year’s Full Submission deadline will be 3pm on Monday 29 July.