The use of natural gas pipeline network with different energy carriers

• We model the injection of hydrogen/biogas within the current natural gas network.
• The cost and environmental performance under different scenarios are examined.
• Hydrogen injection is cheaper than biogas and contributes more to CO2 reduction.
• The injection of hydrogen generated from wind power is the most sustainable way.

This paper discusses the economic and environmental aspects of utilizing the existing natural gas pipeline network in the UK with different energy carriers. A model has been developed to analyze the potential integration of hydrogen and biogas within the current natural gas network. By considering different energy carriers into the model under different scenarios, the cost and environmental performance vary. It has been concluded that hydrogen is less expensive than biogas and makes significant contribution to CO2 emission reduction. Particularly, the injection of hydrogen generated from wind power is the most sustainable pathway, with a 45.13% reduction in CO2 emission and a £0.2 M/d reduction in total cost.