Bradford Low Carbon Hydrogen – JV between N-Gen & Hygen
Detailed design
Bradford, UK
Overview
A pioneering brownfield development in the heart of Bradford.
Located in the heart of Bradford, UK, the Bradford Low Carbon Hydrogen (BLCH) project is a pioneering brownfield development aimed at decarbonising local transport and industry.
A joint venture between Hygen and N-Gen, the project is transforming a former gas storage site into a cutting-edge clean energy hub. Once operational, BLCH will produce low carbon hydrogen on-site, available via an integrated refuelling station for vehicles or distributed to heavy industry as a sustainable alternative to natural gas.
The plant has a production capacity of 12.5 tonnes of hydrogen per day, which is enough to replace the fuel in 800 diesel buses from West Yorkshire roads. BLCH will rank among the UK’s largest low carbon hydrogen facilities, setting a benchmark for future-ready energy infrastructure.
Scope
In 2024, Wood was awarded a detailed design scope for the brownfield hydrogen plant.
Hygen and N-Gen selected Wood due to our strong hydrogen capabilities and expertise, greenfield project excellence and end-to-end asset knowledge.
The work is executed by Wood's team in Stockton, including specialist process and hydrogen experts.
Solution
Working as one to ensure success.
Wood collaborates closely with Hygen and N-Gen on this pioneering project design, which includes:
- Full brownfield site design, including the production and dispensing facilities using 3D modelling and advanced visualisation techniques to ensure a robust, future proof design that is suitable for construction.
- Additional modelling to assess and reduce risk to the surrounding area, with safety at the heart of all considerations.
- Expert hydrogen specialist analysis to ensure the detailed design is low-risk and safe, including welding high pressure hydrogen pipelines.
- Ensuring operational readiness for the detailed design to ensure success in future project stages.
Both Wood and client project teams work as one to realign the initial scope, acting as an honest, expert voice to ensure waste is stripped out and all design aspects are accurately defined. This step was essential to produce accurate and effective project costing, allowing the client to optimise resource allocation and avoid scope creep.
The team work closely with the main project contractor to ensure needs are met for future project stages. Key considerations include a design layout to facilitate both construction and maintenance, a uni-directional ring road for the site to control vehicle movements and maintaining existing infrastructure.
Power in partnership.
Wood supports the client beyond the detailed design scope, treating the project as a partnership. This includes advice and consultancy across planning, noise and environmental permitting, critical information for the final investment decision (FID). Wood’s cross-sector experience of delivering large, new energy projects unlocks best practice for BLCH.
“Wood is a great partner for this dynamic environment, working closely in collaboration with our project team at every stage to navigate this new market. Wood’s design knowledge has allowed for a site that maximizes constructability and operability within a constrained area.”
Outcome
Solid, robust detailed design, setting construction teams up for success: Wood received positive feedback from the client, citing a quality and robust detailed design for this transformational site.
Prioritised process safety: safety by design taken as the guiding principle with focus on prevention of accidents, ensuring a safe operational plant for BLCH.
Exceptionally high productivity: Wood's team demonstrated exceptional efficiency, with a staggering productivity rate of 1.09, ensuring added value and progress towards on-time scope completion.
Positive relationship: Working in partnership to ensure the successful delivery of this project.
Wood looks forward to building on this new relationship with Hygen and N-Gen and this transformational project achieving FID.
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