During Phase 1 of the project a team headed by Dr. Phil Ward, was established to generate ideas for reducing environmental impact of AGFs during the full asset life cycle. The four life cycle stages, and key activities within each stage, were defined as a method to generate ideas. Web-based research was carried out to identify several different projects which had given rise to protests and lessons learnt were identified, including the need for early stakeholder consultation.
A workshop was held with members of the project team generating further ideas. Site visits to National Grid compressor stations were undertaken to gather further information and also photographic representations of a typical site for another internal workshop. In this workshop, GL Noble Denton staff were asked to represent "NIMBYs" (Not In My Back Yard) and were asked the question "What if we were to build this facility close to your home?" Ways to reduce protests aimed at new developments were also discussed as a further way of generating ideas for reducing environmental impact.
All of the ideas generated were then assessed against business drivers for suitability and duplicate ideas also removed. Each idea which met the drivers was visually represented and presented to a selection of National Grid representatives at a final workshop. These representatives were provided with an assessment pack and asked to assess each idea individually against a set of criteria. They were also each asked to pick their favourite top ten ideas. The results of this were analysed and 49 ideas for reducing environmental impact were assessed as having potential for further investigation, development and implementation. The top ten ideas list highlighted 25 key ideas which would be most favourable to the National Grid representatives.
The next phase of the project has commenced and will involve the quantification of the benefits of the selected improvements across the asset lifecycle. This will include carbon calculations and cost-benefit analysis. Some of the improvements being analysed are low carbon building materials such as zero-carbon concrete and using recycled materials, renewable power/heat generation on site and grey/rainwater harvesting. The project will also look at reducing the environmental impact of gas transmission by performing a BAT assessment of compression, gas actuated valves and boilers. All the improvements will be assessed for suitability of application at National Grid sites by GL Noble Denton experts.
The final output will be a portfolio of design features which are to be considered prior to construction of a new above ground facility and will aid National Grid in its quest to be a more sustainable operator.
