Haydale Graphene Industries plc (AIM: HAYD), the Group focused on enabling technology for the commercialisation of graphene and other nanomaterials, has told DirectorsTalk this morning that Haydale Composite Solutions a wholly owned subsidiary of Haydale, have been awarded a £310,000 contract extension by National Grid.
HCS were previously contracted by National Grid to design and develop a lightweight Composite Gas Transition Piece (“GTP”) used to provide a support and seal around steel gas transmission pipelines passing through supporting concrete walls. With the current system it is currently difficult to inspect their condition. The HCS solution was to develop with National Grid a concept to excavate an annulus in the concrete wall supporting the steel gas pipeline and insert two glass reinforced composite GTP mouldings at either end of the wall to provide support and an environmental seal around the steel gas pipeline. The composite GTP seals can then be readily removed, without the need for heavy lifting equipment, extensive excavation work and hydro demolition to cut through the concrete walls. The novel GTP mouldings enable engineers to carry out rapid inspections of the pipeline with considerable savings in their time and costs.
HCS have completed a series of R&D contracts with National Grid to develop the solution for 900 mm diameter pipelines which have been installed in 2 sites in the UK as proof of concept. The GTP design concept also won the second place innovation award at the National Grid Chairman’s Awards in Boston, MA, USA. HCS has also filed a patent in the UK and has now gone to The Patent Cooperation Treaty to seek patent protection internationally. The GTP design concept has been registered in the UK, Europe and North America.
National Grid has subsequently awarded HCS a contract worth £310,000, part of which was recognised in the year ended 30 June 2016 with the majority being recognised over the next 12 to 15 months to design and develop 14 different GTP solutions for 7 different pipeline diameters from 300-1050mm and for two end conditions. This will enable the GTP solution to be rolled out across the entire gas transmission mains network in the UK. National Grid has identified the need for a total of approximately 300 units in the UK.
National Grid’s Project Manager, Paul Ogden added; “During the next 6 years, up to 60 of these units are likely to be installed in the National Transmission System” said Paul “and that will significantly improve safety as well as creating savings of up to £5m in the next five to ten years, with further savings beyond that.”
Gerry Boyce, Managing Director of HCS commented: “This is a demonstration of the traditional HCS composite business and we are delighted to win this follow on contract. We look forward to entering into discussions with National Grid on the scaling up and initial production of GTP units for installation in the grid and to working with the National Grid on the licencing of the technology in the UK, Europe and North America.”
