Major contract secured with SGN for remote pressure control solution to increase biomethane feed-in

Utonomy has secured a major contract to supply intelligent pressure control technology designed to increase biomethane injection capacity into gas distribution networks.

The contract will see the unique UtonomyOne pressure control and management systems installed on gas distribution company SGN’s medium-pressure network on the Isle of Sheppey. This technology will increase the amount of renewable gas which can be injected into SGN’s pipes.

Historically, adjustments to pressures have been made manually. However, regulator stations feeding medium-pressure networks are often located many miles apart. Manual adjustment is not only costly, but sometimes adjustments cannot be made in time, meaning biomethane sites are not being used to their full capacity.  UtonomyOne can remotely change the pressure of regulators feeding the networks, ensuring biomethane injection is always prioritised over the natural gas feed-in.

SGN currently has 42 biomethane plants connected to its Scottish and Southern networks – providing sufficient biomethane capacity to supply the equivalent of 320,000 domestic households, and saving approximately 673,000 tCO2e annually. ⁽¹⁾.

Reaching green gas targets

Following the first installation on the Isle of Sheppey, SGN plans to roll out Utonomy’s technology more widely. This will help SGN to reach its target of supplying one million domestic houses with biomethane by the end of the GD3 price control period (2031). In turn, this will save 2.1 million tCO2e every year compared with the same number of customers using natural gas ⁽²⁾.

SGN has identified a number of biomethane plants that generate high volumes of biomethane, and thus at times of low demand and high network pressures need extra assistance to inject their full capacity into the grid. Utonomy’s pressure control solution enables the natural gas governors feeding these networks to be remotely adjusted so that the pressure in the network is sufficient to provide security of supply but not so high that the biomethane plant connected to the network is unable to feed-in. By adjusting the natural gas feed-in governors in this way, the injection from the biomethane plant can be prioritised over the natural gas feed-in. This increases the amount of biomethane that can be delivered to the network.

The project builds on a long-standing collaboration between Utonomy and SGN, which has seen them work together on a project to roll out the UtonomyOne pressure management and control solution across 265 governors in SGN’s Southern network to reduce methane emissions by 3GWh/annum.

Adam Kingdon, Founder and CEO of Utonomy, commented:

“Our technology is helping to prepare the networks for the low-carbon transition by helping operators to control pressures and prioritise the feed-in of green gas such as biomethane and hydrogen.”

“We are thrilled to have been awarded this contract to supply our pressure management and control solution to SGN, thereby increasing biomethane injection capacity on their network.

“Developing this solution to remotely control pressure in the medium-pressure network really was a collaborative process with SGN, and builds on solutions already developed with SGN for minimising leakage in low-pressure networks.

Joel Martin, Biomethane Connections Manager at SGN, said:

“Pressure monitoring and control are an essential tool enabling SGN to achieve the commitments made in respect of biomethane injection targets identified in the RIIOGD3 Environmental Action Plan (EAP).

“It has been a pleasure to work with Utonomy to develop an innovative remote control pressure management system that will help us to increase the amount of biomethane injected into our networks. This will ensure we deliver on our commitment to make gas networks greener, smarter, safer and more resilient, as we progress through the energy transition and move towards a sustainable future.”

For more information on UtonomyOne’s pressure control system, click here or get in touch with our team.

Ends

Notes to editors

About Utonomy

Established in 2015, Utonomy is a UK-based company that uses patented hardware and machine learning technology to optimise pressure in the gas network. Its primary aim is to reduce emissions of methane from the network and help facilitate the transition to low-carbon forms of gas.

About SGN

SGN manages the network which distributes natural and green gas to approximately six million homes and businesses across Scotland and southern England. Their pipes deliver gas safely, reliably and efficiently to each of these customers.

They perform an essential 24/7 service to keep everyone in their communities safe and warm. If anyone smells gas indoors or outside, they should dial the National Gas Emergency Number on 0800 111 999* and an engineer will visit that location to carry out the required checks.

They are committed to caring for their customers, especially those in vulnerable circumstances, working with specialist organisations on initiatives aimed at making a positive impact on society and improving the lives of the people in their communities.

Alongside the UK and Scottish Governments and the other gas distribution networks, they’re developing the world’s first zero-carbon gas grid and shaping a net zero future for the UK.

*Calls are free and lines are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. These calls are recorded and may be monitored.

Notes

1. SGN GD3 Environmental Action Plan page 49 and 50 (assuming the average household consumes 11,500 kWh of gas per annum, as per Ofgem figures)
2. SGN GD3 Environmental Action Plan Table 20 page 50 (assuming the average household consumes 11,500 kWh of gas per annum, as per Ofgem figures)