Issue link: https://fhpublishing.uberflip.com/i/782355
3 5 Connecting Homes for Health NGN – launched Practical Solution for Overbuilds NGN – launched GDNs are currently obliged to provide selected vulnerable households with a gas network connection where it is considered the most appropriate means of assistance under the Fuel Poor Network Extension scheme. For a household to be considered under the scheme, they must meet certain criteria. The current regulatory framework will run until 2021, providing an opportunity assessment as to whether the obligations for connecting fuel-poor households as they stand are able to cover the wider range of vulnerabilities that living in a cold home can cause or exacerbate, and which providing a gas grid connection could alleviate. NGN is seeking to research and pilot revised and more inclusive criteria to effec- tively identify and engage with consumers who may be vulnerable, and to design and target interventions to provide appropriate assistance. The work should also mean that GDNs can contribute to the practical integra- tion of preventative work to treat cold homes carried out in partnership across sectors, and help alleviate clinical pressure on the NHS. When a Tier 2 gas pipe's risk score exceeds the acceptable level, there is a requirement to remove the pipe from risk by abandoning the entire pipe. Leaving a stub of any length is unacceptable, so GDNs are obliged to cut out a section of the parent main including the tee. Removal of the parent main, in many cases, can be extremely expensive and very disruptive to customers. It is oˆen impracti- cal to abandon these short sections due to traffic sensitivity or where normal working practices are unacceptable to stakeholders. NGN will work with SME Steve Vick 4 Tier 2 foam bags NGN – launched ration at design stage is cheaper than retrofitting. From a system operator per- spective, any windfarm oscillations aris- ing from lack of power oscillation damping capability would require them to be deload and replaced with more expensive plant. Depending on the spread of the prob- lem, the potential annual cost saving could amount to millions of pounds. International on a development and dem- onstration project to produce a permanent abandonment process that removes fully the risk of Tier 2a without requiring a full cut- out of the parent pipe. This will be done by undertaking an adaptation of the existing process for removing the foam bag for Tier 1 pipes to ensure that the whole length of the Tier 2a main is removed from risk. Several field trial sites have already been identified, and it is thought that performing the new technique in these locations will greatly reduce the cost of the abandonment. If successful it is likely that this proposal could be deployed across the entire NGN network, and will be replicable by the other GDNs. This project will affect the safety out- put in the RIIO. NGN received £227m of totex allow- ance in 2015/16. NGN estimates that this project could save between £25,000 and £60,000 per operation. NETWORK / 27 /FEBRUARY 2017 NGN will work in partnership with Steve Vick International (SVI) to design, develop and demonstrate a suitable method for seal- ing the annular space between an inserted PE gas pipe and the old metallic gas main when it has been 'live inserted'. The purpose of the project is to remove the risk to 'overbuilt' properties, where buildings have been built over gas mains aˆer the main has been live inserted, by designing and developing a system and all associated technology to enable a SVI con- tracting team to fully fill the annular space between the two pipes beneath the entire width and length of the building residing above the metallic gas main. This space has the potential to be a gas carrying leak path beneath the property which if ignored will be putting members of the public at greater risk of gas leaking into properties and potentially fires and explosions. £60k- £120k The estimated saving. per operation, of sealing the annual space left after live insertions