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ZERO CARBON GAS A new push is underway to create the world's fi rst zero carbon gas grid in the UK. Network reviews the new Gas Goes Green initiative and some of the most infl uential case studies which will inform its progress NETWORK / 22 / APRIL/MAY 2020 Gas Goes Green The solution we need Green gas champion, Chris Train, former CEO Cadent, on why the initiative is so important Thanks to Britain's extensive gas network infrastructure, 23 million homes and businesses, connected to 284,000km of pipelines, are able to safely and reliably access the energy they need quickly and easily, and often, when they need it the most. That's why delivering the world's fi rst zero carbon gas grid here in the UK, through Gas Goes Green, marks a major step forward in our industry's march towards net zero. Delivering the changes necessary for Britain's networks to replace methane natural gas with hydrogen and biomethane will provide a solution to the challenge of decarbonising heat and transport which, at its very core, works with the grain of human behaviour, whilst keeping disruption and cost as low as possible. It will ensure that decarbonised technologies are based on the strong foundations of a system that is tried, tested and trusted. Tackling climate change is the defi ning challenge of the 21st century, and to meet that challenge we need to bring together Britain's leading minds in engineering, policy and academia. By meeting the operational and technical challenges of creating the world's fi rst zero carbon gas grid, it will allow policymakers to look to practical, deliverable and scalable solutions to decarbonisation, such as hydrogen-ready boilers. Gas Goes Green will provide solutions that will keep costs down for the billpayer, saving up to £13bn a year. The need for action has never been greater – the climate emergency is now upon us. Ensuring that homes and businesses across the UK are connected to the world's fi rst zero carbon gas grid is one of the best ways we can take that action. A longer version of this article appears on line https://networks. online/ I n April, the Energy Net- works Association (ENA) launched a bold new programme to progress the case for a substantial and active gas grid in a net zero future. The Gas Goes Green pro- gramme will corral knowledge generated from a range of exist- ing low carbon gas innovation schemes and build on the sig- ni• cant progress many networks have already made in removing carbon emissions from their systems, in order to set out a tangible strategy for delivering will provide a solution to the challenge of decarbonising heat and transport which, at its very core, works with the grain of human behaviour, whilst keeping disruption and cost as low as possible. It will ensure that decarbonised 21st century, and to meet that challenge we need to bring together Britain's leading minds in engineering, policy and academia. By meeting the operational and technical challenges of creating the world's fi rst zero carbon gas grid, it will allow policymakers to look to practical, deliverable and scalable solutions

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