Gas transmission asset resilience through network transitions

Britain’s gas transmission network faces a growing risk of accidental damage as pipelines are decommissioned or repurposed for hydrogen and carbon capture, yet the country still relies on manual inspections that happen only a few times each year. The problem is that as the energy system shifts away from unabated natural gas, parts of the network are being taken out of service or converted for new uses. This transition increases the chance of third-party strikes—from construction work, digging, or other ground disturbance—that could rupture a pipeline. Because the transmission network supplies power generators, industry, and homes, even a single interruption threatens national energy security and carries significant costs for customers. This project will test whether combining AI-assisted surveillance with satellite imagery and drones can replace expensive, infrequent manual patrols. If successful, it could provide continuous, automated monitoring of the entire network at lower cost, catching potential damage before it causes a supply outage. The impact would be invisible to most people but critical: a more resilient gas infrastructure that keeps the lights on and factories running during the net-zero transition, without requiring crews to walk every mile of pipeline.