UK to boast world’s first zero carbon gas grid with Gas Goes Green

The UK’s five gas network operators have unveiled their programme to deliver the world’s first net zero gas grid. 

The initiative, Gas Goes Green, will provide an integrated, flexible, low cost, carbon free network. The country’s gas network is already one of the most developed in the world but in order to meet the challenge of cutting carbon emissions by 2050, they are utilising the technology available to take advantage of clean heating systems, such as:

• Hydrogen
• Biogas
• BioSNG
• Smart hybrid

In 2017, household CO2 emissions from heating were at 2.7 tonnes. In order to reach carbon targets, they will need to drop to 130kg. 

23 million properties – 85% of Britain’s homes – are connected to the gas grid. Research has shown that a zero carbon gas network is possible. In addition, it could save billpayers £13bn per year.

The Gas Goes Green programme will deliver the changes required to convert Britain’s huge network of 284,000km of gas pipelines from methane-based natural gas to zero-carbon hydrogen and biomethane. Once the minutiae of Gas Goes Green is done, the country will then be ready to switch to a new generation of hydrogen-ready boilers. 

The Institution of Gas Engineers & Managers (IGEM) CEO, Neil Atkinson, commented: “When people think of net-zero (carbon) challenge, they often think of solar panels and wind turbines, not the gas that heats our homes, fuels our vehicles, supports our heavy industry and powers our power stations. But the truth is, net zero won’t be reached through renewable electricity alone. We must put our existing gas infrastructure to use if we wish to meet this challenge head on.

“Collectively, the UK gas industry is stating a clear intention to deliver the world’s first net-zero-compliant network and IGEM has a crucial role to play in that transition. Our work is to help open up the gas network to new sources could soon see the nation’s homes and businesses running off a multitude of new, greener gas sources. 

“This is a pivotal moment for the gas industry and represents positive action towards real change and the delivery of the government’s net-zero ambitions.”