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| Reference Number | CAD_SIF0005 | |
| Title | Digital Platform for Leakage Analytics Beta Phase | |
| Status | Started | |
| Energy Categories | Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal (Oil and Gas, Refining, transport and storage of oil and gas) 100%; | |
| Research Types | Applied Research and Development 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 100% | |
| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Project Contact No email address given Cadent Gas |
|
| Award Type | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Funding Source | Ofgem | |
| Start Date | 01 September 2023 | |
| End Date | 01 March 2026 | |
| Duration | 30 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £12,068,514 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Energy | |
| Region | London | |
| Programme | ||
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , Cadent Gas (99.996%) |
| Other Investigator | Project Contact , Cadent Eastern (0.001%) Project Contact , Cadent North London (0.001%) Project Contact , Cadent North West (0.001%) Project Contact , Cadent West Midlands (0.001%) |
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| Industrial Collaborator | Project Contact , Wales and West Utilities (0.000%) Project Contact , Northern Gas Networks (0.000%) Project Contact , SGN (0.000%) |
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| Web Site | https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/CAD_SIF0005 |
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| Objectives | ||
| Abstract | How DPLA meets the aim of SIF Challenge (Eligibility Criterion 1 and 3)The DPLA addresses the whole system integration and data and digitalisation Innovation Challenges set by Ofgem, whilst simultaneously addressing a range of user needs. Comprising of eight work-packages (WP), the Project expects to be delivered over a two-and-a-half-year time frame. The Project will enhance the coordination between the distribution networks and regulatory bodies as they work towards a common goal: reduce carbon emissions, realise customer benefits, and improve safety in a cost-effective manner. By combining upgraded modelling capabilities, the Project will deliver the next generation of user driven digital processes accelerating progress in methane leakage detection, as well as unlock opportunities across hydrogen leakage detection. The DPLA will directly improve data monitoring and insights improving efficiency and resilience of the networks through the innovative system architecture unique to the Project.The underlying system architecture has evolved to include an expert system and user interfacePrior to the DPLA project (Discovery and Alpha), an expert system based on weighted rule-based inferences combining individual leak detection was designed. Across Alpha, the Project Team demonstrated the provenance of the idea and the opportunities to synthesised outputs into a digitally driven user interface. It was determined that the user interface will enable Cadents workforce to view and interact with leakage data quickly, easily, and effectively. Together with the hybrid hydraulic model and advanced analytics, the expert system and user interface should enhance network coordination, reduce operational complexities, and improve user experiences.The perception of the problem evolving, demonstrated through a range of detailed user needs:Whilst in the first instance the ambition of the DPLA was to address gas leakage, through engagements with all Great Britains distribution networks, the use cases have expanded into a non-mutually exclusive set of regulatory, operational, and business use cases. Whilst eight key use cases were identified, the five with the highest relative importance were as follows:Gas Leakage Regulatory Reporting -- a need to provide more accurate annual reports of gas leakage quantity to Ofgem, compared to the current Shrinkage and Leakage Model (SLM)Condition based monitoring -- a need to improve the understanding of the state of network assets by proactively detecting leaks rather than relying on models aloneRegulatory Performance and Revenue Generation -- A need to accurately measure network performance in reducing shrinkage/leakage and develop a fair incentive mechanism for reward and/or penaltyProactive emergency intervention -- a need to reduce the risk to humans and properties via smarter and earlier identification, characterisation, and localisation of gas leaksImproved Asset Replacement and Maintenance -- a need to leverage an improved understanding of the network and leakage hotspots to tailor the schedule of the Mains Replacement Programme and better target maintenance cycles and AGI replacementMoreover, informed by the above use cases, the user interface will leverage a dashboard to display key information providing a priority view to the intervention engineers. Outputs are planned to include real-time alerts of critical leaks, visual heatmaps and leakage reports.The key learning from the Alpha phase was the importance of the hybrid hydraulic model and machine learning based approach to offsetting the cost of physical in-field sensors, to achieve the same level of emissions reduction. This is now a fundamental principle of the DPLA and this philosophy will underpin the concept build in Beta.Scalable solutionThe DPLA project recognises the importance of a scalable solution, and hence, an area reflective of asset availability (including low, medium, and high-pressure tiers), type of assets (plastic, cast iron, steel) and physical spatial features (e.g., Urban versus Rural, Coastal versus Inland). Areas across North London and East England should demonstrate the viability of the system architecture. During the project mobilisation phase (August -- October 2023), these regions should be reaffirmed based on available data (WP2). There are opportunities to expand the scope of the DPLA and include advanced criteria such as the application of the solution across the transmission system, as well as the proactive detection of hydrogen and carbon.Participation from a range of stakeholders (Eligibility Criterion 6)As detailed across the Beta plans, the DPLA will enable knowledge dissemination both internally and externally with regulatory bodies, the GDNs as well as customer/third sector groups (e.g., Citizens Advice, IGEM, and Fuel Bank) and governing bodies (e.g., Ofgem, Environmental Agency and HSE). Engagement with regulatory bodies and shippers have already commenced (Question 10). Opportunities to realise interconnected benefits across SIF funded projects are already being identified. For example, aligning DPLA with the LeakVISION, a patented in-pipe gas leakage detection sensor. | |
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| Publications | No related publications |
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| Added to Database | 11/09/24 | |
