Wales & West Utilities: Enabling biomethane injection through smart control of medium pressure networks

Background

Wales & West Utilities (WWU) operates a major gas distribution network which currently includes 19 biomethane plants injecting low-carbon green gas into the grid. Some plants, including the Great Hele biomethane plant, face challenges with injecting biomethane during periods of low demand. This difficulty arises due to network capacity constraints leading to higher pressures, which can result in excess biomethane being flared. This leads to lost income for plant operators and potential environmental sanctions due to flaring limits imposed by regulatory agencies.

Previously, the solution was to make manual adjustments to pressure settings at the High Bickington HP – MP pressure reduction station, two to four times a year. However, this method was often inadequate as manual adjustments are not always timely or appropriate. The delays and inefficiencies impacted operational performance and customer satisfaction. WWU was in search of improved solutions to manage pressure control more effectively, enabling better biomethane injection and supporting their ambitious target of net-zero emissions by 2035.

 

Stakeholders

Wales & West Utilities is the DSO which manages and maintains the gas distribution network across Wales and Southwest England.

 

Innovate UK is a public body providing funding and support to innovative businesses and technologies, operating as part of the United Kingdom Research & Innovation (UKRI) organisation.

The UtonomyOne solution

The UtonomyOne system was deployed to solve the injection restrictions faced by WWU’s Great Hele biomethane plant. This system introduces a transformative approach to pressure control and biomethane injection, designed to address the challenges faced by WWU and other DSOs in managing network pressures and optimising biomethane injection.

The UtonomyOne system includes a unique high-force actuator, retrofitted onto the existing piloted regulators of pressure reduction stations – in this case, the High Bickington HP – MP station. The retrofit needs no modifications to the existing pressure reduction equipment, and thus allows a seamless integration with the current infrastructure. The actuator directly controls the piloted regulators, enabling precise and near-real time adjustments to the outlet pressure of the medium pressure network.

[CHECK paragraph about Uscope – has it actually been used?]

For this project, an adapted controller was installed at a low point on the MP network. This acts as an alarm system, ensuring that pressures do not fall below acceptable levels. Monitoring pressures at low points means the system can promptly alert operators if deviations occur, maintaining network stability and reliability.