Case Study
Decarbonising Utility Transport Using Whole System Thinking
Key benefits/themes:
Customer | Environmental | Health & Safety | Financial
The Challenge
There is a need for an almost complete decarbonisation of the transport sector to achieve net zero emission targets by 2050.
As part of this, utility fleet operators have already started work to understand their footprint and decarbonise their fleet and logistic operations.
However, utility fleet decarbonisation requires a strategy that takes a whole system approach to address hard-to-decarbonise operations and vehicles, as they have unique cycles and payload systems.
The Solution
Following an innovation call and successful presentation day facilitated by the EIC, Energy Systems Catapult (ESC) was selected to do a project to fully explore this challenge.
As part of the project, ESC presented its initial analysis of the data shared by participating networks, focusing on their transport fleets and requirements. This analysis was reviewed by representatives from the fleet, automotive and energy industries during a stakeholder workshop.
Following this, a gap analysis was performed and the interventions required to address these gaps was identified. ESC also modelled how the interventions would impact the decarbonisation of the utility fleet landscape.
Gerard Airey, Agile Project Manager
Energy Systems Catapult
"This work provides guidance for utility fleets to help with decision making along the decarbonisation pathway for their vehicle fleets and operations.
"ESC was pleased to be part of such an important study that explored the challenging and complex topic of whole system decarbonisation in the UK"
Project Partners
This collaborative NIA-funded project was delivered by ESC and supported by several gas and electricity networks, namely Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks, SP Energy Networks, UK Power Networks, Northern Gas Networks and Northern Powergrid.
The EIC supported all parties with project scoping and legal contract agreement (Direct Investment Agreement), in accordance with the NIA framework.
The Project
The project led to the production of two key documents:
1. A gap analysis demonstrating the state of play (composition of utility fleet vehicles, challenges, needs, global logistic trends and on and off-road transport modes) and providing a whole system view that considers adjacent markets which impact the provision of electrification, hydrogen, biomethane and alternative development fuels.
2. A decarbonisation roadmap communicating the key areas of innovation that utility fleet operators should consider on their journey towards achieving a zero-emissions fleet. Building on the above, as well as on insights from modelling activities, the roadmap also included a set of recommendations for achieving this.
In addition to the main outputs, the project also highlighted a number of important considerations for the future.
1. Digital solutions can transform operations and improve the efficiency of the fleet
2. The development and trial of new transport-focused products and services should also include utility fleet requirements
3. Utilities should work closely with innovators and access available funding mechanisms to bring solutions to market that will enable them to transition to a zero emissions fleet
4. Public charging infrastructure, from charge points aimed at users without access to off-street parking, to charging stations along motorways should be able to serve utility fleets
5. Utilities will need to increase engagement with the energy and automotive industries, as well as government to enable the transition to zero emission fleets. Particular focus should be given to accelerating innovation, trialling new solutions and developing new regulations where needed.
The Impact
Cross-Sector Collaboration
Bringing gas and electricity together to resolve shared issues with decarbonising their fleets
Shared Learning
Identification of the technology gaps that utilities need to work on together
Environmental
Reductions in carbon emissions by accelerating decarbonisation of the utility transport fleets
The Project
Live field trials demonstrated various benefits for network partners, including reduced operational expenditure (OPEX). One trial conducted on a sample section of the gas distribution network in the north of England demonstrated that LeakVISION reduced the overall time required to locate and repair multiple gas escapes, minimising disruption to customers.
As part of the SIF funded project, a trial was completed in a live hydrogen pipeline to assess the device’s functionality and its capability to safely detect leaks. The trial proved successful, providing confirmation that both the deployment and retrieval approach for the device are secure.
- The successful implementation of a live thermal imaging robotic system within an operational gas distribution network.
- The system potentially could identify specific ‘areas of interest’ that require remediation.
- The system has future capability to guide more agile asset investment decisions.
- A robotic device that uses a heating element to warm-up flowing gas, in a live distribution network, safely and without incident.
- Identification of design improvements for field operations.
The Impact
Customer Service
Minimised disruptions from excavations to assess pipes in difficult to reach places.
Societal
Reductions in the number of excavations and faster repair times.
Environmental
Reductions in the volume of gas vented to the atmosphere during complex-to-locate gas escapes.
Operational
A reduced number of excavations will lead to improved safety and will result in fewer injuries to operatives.
The Project
The aim of StreetScore Phase 2 project was to improve the accessibility and experience of street works for customers in vulnerable situations and the wider public. The focus was on prototyping and validating concepts that could minimise disruptions experienced during street works, before potentially undertaking further developmental and testing activities that facilitates the transition to Business as Usual (BAU) deployment(s).
Workshops were also held to facilitate active engagement between network operators and key stakeholders, such as community groups, charities and advocacy groups. These sessions allowed network operators to develop a greater understanding of the challenges faced by customers in vulnerable situations and provided valuable insights into how customers adapt their behaviours and lifestyle around street works. The feedback gathered has also helped to inform the shortlisting of potential prototypes and concepts for future development.
The Impact
Customers
Improvements in accessibility and safety around street works, particularly for customers in vulnerable situations.
Community engagement
Improved engagement between network operators and third parties like community groups and charities.
Health and safety
Potential to reduce the number of incidents for customers when navigating street works. Learnings from the project have also enabled recommendations for changes or updates to existing regulations.
Financial
Improved guidance in working around street works thus reducing instances of fines for networks.
The Impact
Customers
Improvements in accessibility and safety around street works, particularly for customers in vulnerable situations.
Community engagement
Improved engagement between network operators and third parties like community groups and charities.
Health and safety
Potential to reduce the number of incidents for customers when navigating street works.
Financial
Improved guidance in working around street works thus reducing instances of fines for networks.
Next steps
The network partners are evaluating the findings to create tailored plans for their respective networks. These plans will consider local area characteristics, providing each partner with a set of actionable steps for implementation.
A key recommendation from the roadmap is that utilities need to work more closely with innovators on specific utility fleet requirements, especially reliability, to ensure that these are factored into the development of the refuelling and recharging infrastructure.
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