The UK geological storage resource is amongst the largest in Europe and is critical to the country achieving net zero by 2030. Funding has been awarded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council for a two-year project, ‘Maximising the UK geological storage resource’ or MaxStoreUK. The project is led by BGS with collaborators from the Industrial Decarbonisation Research and Innovation Centre (IDRIC) and researchers at Heriot-Watt University and The University of Manchester. The findings will inform investment decisions and policy development and maximise the use of the subsurface in the UK to reach net zero.

MaxStoreUK will build on subsurface hydrogen and carbon storage research investigations previously completed as part of the IDRIC research programme. The objectives of the new project are to:

• share tailored information on regional UK geological carbon dioxide (CO₂)and hydrogen storage opportunities with industry clusters and other key stakeholders
• present a UK hydrogen storage briefing to enable cross-sector policy collaboration
• increase understanding of CO₂ storage in a UK Central North Sea frontier area of extensive strata with multiple prospective storage sites
• advise on solutions to specific risks for UK hydrogen storage with operators and regulators that are addressed by our modelling and experimental data

We are delighted to have been awarded funding and begin the two-year project. We will build on existing engagement with stakeholders to unlock the full potential of the UK subsurface resource to meet the UK net zero targets and drive economic growth.

Dr Maxine Akhurst, principal geologist at BGS and project leader.

This project represents an exciting initiative to build further on the significant impact of IDRIC five-year multi-disciplinary research programme and our strong partnership with BGS. We look forward to continuing this valued collaboration, advancing progress and sharing knowledge in geological storage, which will accelerate the journey of our industrial heartlands towards a sustainable low-carbon future

Prof Mercedes Maroto-Valer, IDRIC Director.

Knapton H2 Storage is a consortium led by gas distributor Northern Gas Networks and partnered with BGS, Centrica Energy Storage, Third Energy Onshore and the University of Edinburgh. The consortium has been awarded ‘Discovery’ funding by Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) to undertake a new study to evaluate geological storage potential in the Knapton area, North Yorkshire. The Ofgem SIF funding is designed to drive innovation in energy networks as part of the ‘Revenue = incentives + innovation + outputs’ (RIIO-2) price control for gas and electricity networks.

Energy storage and backup power will become increasingly important as the UK increases the amount of renewable energy supplying electricity. This study is the first of its kind in the region and will undertake a feasibility assessment of the area geology to host energy storage technologies, allowing for the decarbonisation of adjacent gas-fired peaking power plants (those that only run when there is high demand) such as that at Knapton.

The Knapton, Vale of Pickering and North Yorkshire area hosts a fantastic diversity of geology that may be used for storing hydrogen. The region contains numerous depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs that may have potential for repurposing, alongside other porous rock aquifers, salt deposits and rocks that may support lined rock shafts. The study will generate an understanding of what is possible for hydrogen storage at scale in the local area, supporting the area local economy and the UK energy security.

The natural geology of the area around Knapton will play an important role in supporting the use of hydrogen in the region. Storing hydrogen gives flexibility to the energy system, allowing excess hydrogen to be stored for use during periods when demand exceeds supply. In this project, BGS will build on its extensive laboratory and mapping programmes to help identify areas of the underground geology that may represent future exploration targets for hydrogen storage in bedrock.

Edward Hough, research lead in underground energy storage at BGS.

As more renewables come online, energy storage will be critical to UK energy security and to clean power. Understanding the full potential for storing hydrogen at scale through Knapton H2 Storage will give us key insights into how we can deliver technologies to provide clean resilience on the days where the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow.

Keith Owen, head of energy futures at Northern Gas Networks.

Centrica Knapton site is being redeveloped as a multi-vector energy hub for solar generation, green hydrogen production and battery storage. But without dedicated hydrogen storage, its ability to support seasonal balancing, system resilience and flexible dispatch (H2P) will be fundamentally constrained. This project will advance integration readiness at Knapton and commercial readiness of storage technologies, whilst unlocking a replicable model for medium- to large-scale hydrogen storage to support H2P roll-out and network resilience.

Chris McClane, energy transition interface manager at Centrica.

Decision makers across the UK are today considering new research that reveals areas of the subsurface with outstanding geological potential to boost economic growth. They will help unlock an estimated and energy-transition technologies. The findings identify eight ‘geological super regions’. These are the areas with a subsurface composition that is ‘just right’ to potentially host multiple energy-transition technologies, which will help deliver the UK net zero aspirations as presented in the Government Clean Power Action Plan.

Whilst other parts of the UK benefit from geology well suited to certain net zero technologies, such as shallow geothermal installations or critical minerals occurrences, these geological super regions contain subsurface formations and conditions that are favourable to multiple different technologies within a relatively small area. The geological super regions that could play a pivotal role in the application of sustainable energy production and decarbonisation are:

• Northern Ireland
• the Scottish Central Belt
• north-east England
• north-west England
• the South Yorkshire and Humber region
• the East Midlands and East Anglia
• South Wales
• south-west England

The subsurface has a vital role to play in the energy transition, acting as an enabler and helping deliver economic growth by providing:

• a sustainable heat source for geothermal energy
• geological formations for secure storage of energy and carbon dioxide (CO₂)
• rocks containing important resources for mineral extraction
• suitable geological foundation conditions for onshore and offshore wind power infrastructure projects

The benefits of a stronger renewable sector for UK residents could include improved access to secure, affordable, sustainable energy and subsurface raw materials, contributing to economic prosperity and net zero targets for the UK.

The findings provide crucial insights for decision makers looking to target further research and maximise return on investment in the pursuit of a reliable and sustainable energy future for the UK. Whilst these eight regions display many of the right geological ingredients, further investigation will be required to fully establish each region true potential, ensure safe deployment of each technology, and understand any environmental impact.

The data underpinning this research has been shaped by our current understanding of the subsurface. In some cases, this data is weighted towards existing project development and there is also a correlation with UK industrial clusters. A few parts of the country, such as the north of Scotland and parts of Wales, have been less extensively surveyed and further research is required in order to fully assess their potential.

Matching subsurface technologies and favourable geological conditions is essential for identifying regions with opportunities for investment, providing a roadmap for the UK to reach net zero emissions and ensuring a reliable and sustainable clean energy future. These findings provide a clear and deployable roadmap for decision makers to direct resources to the areas where they can deliver the greatest impact and support the through renewable energy by 2030.

Much of the UK subsurface can support at least one of the energy-transition technologies assessed, but what makes these geological super regions stand out is their versatility and potential to host multiple net zero technologies.

Work still lies ahead to accurately map these subsurface regions and BGS is uniquely positioned to undertake such investigations due to our national remit, recognised geological expertise and national geological data holdings.

Michelle Bentham, BGS Chief Scientist for decarbonisation and resource management.

Geology is a complex and diverse natural resource. Its variable characteristics have the potential to support multiple net zero technologies. Strategic planning and careful management will be vital to ensure safe and secure deployment, especially in locations where technologies may co-exist, whilst also protecting the surrounding environment for future generations.

Regional summaries and maps

Distribution maps by energy transition technology

Notes to editors

51ÁÔÆæ briefing notes aim to communicate the latest scientific research in a succinct format to policymakers, industry and the general public. The latest note, ‘Underground hydrogen storage: insights and actions to support the energy transition’, outlines the current state of play in terms of hydrogen storage research and development, and names underground hydrogen storage as an emerging technology that will be crucial to support the UK’s transition to net zero.

As renewable energy sources like wind and solar increase their market share, the need for reliable, long-duration energy storage solutions become increasingly important for enabling a balance between supply and demand. Hydrogen, produced from renewable sources, can act as an effective energy carrier to store excess power as well as an alternative fuel to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors like shipping and heavy industry.

Various underground storage technologies, such as salt caverns, lined rock caverns and depleted hydrocarbon fields, provide scalable and long-duration hydrogen storage options. Although they require significant initial investment and specific geological conditions, these technologies offer the potential for large-scale, long-duration storage capacities.

Currently, the UK energy storage system holds some of the lowest levels of gas storage in Europe, at 12 days average. Estimates for the hydrogen storage required by net zero in 2050 are up to five times greater than the current UK gas storage capacity, but there are still considerable knowledge gaps in how and where such large-scale storage can be achieved.

The briefing note provides key recommendations in order to close these knowledge gaps:

• implement more demonstration projects to build in situ technical capability, address market barriers and promote wider hydrogen adoption
• integrate hydrogen storage into the UK energy strategy through comprehensive planning and supportive regulatory frameworks
• invest in research and development to rapidly expand knowledge in the hydrogen storage technologies essential for meeting clean energy targets

The successful integration of hydrogen storage is key to stabilising the grid and ensuring a reliable hydrogen supply to meet the UK climate targets. However, while technology holds great promise, significant investment, research and development are required to address technical and regulatory challenges and the success of large-scale deployment depends on overcoming geological, regulatory and commercial challenges.

Dr Tim Armitage, BGS Geoscientist and author of the briefing note.

More information on BGS energy storage research can be found on the website.

Following a successful bid, the East Midlands Storage (EMStor) consortium has been awarded from Ofgem, building on work delivered during the earlier discovery phase. In this alpha phase, the consortium includes the original partners Cadent (lead partner), BGS, Edinburgh University and Star Energy Group, now joined by Centrica Storage, Uniper and National Gas.

The discovery phase assessed a range of different geological storage options in the East Midlands. Storage in repurposed onshore hydrocarbon fields was identified as the leading hydrogen storage option. The discovery phase also showed that hydrogen storage is a vital component to any future hydrogen system in the East Midlands to ensure energy security, resilience and affordability. The development of hydrogen storage in repurposed hydrocarbon fields must be done in tandem with the development of hydrogen production, such as at Uniper Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station and Cadent hydrogen network.

The EMStor alpha phase will further develop knowledge by advancing understanding of:

• decisions on next steps and future phasing

• public perception of hydrogen storage

• technical aspects of underground hydrogen storage, such as geological feasibility and well-integrity assessment

• approaches to regulatory, permitting and planning for potential demonstration

A dissemination event will be held in spring 2025 to detail findings and outline next steps.

We’re delighted to have secured this funding so that we can continue to break new ground in onshore hydrogen storage. The ultimate aim is to increase the technology readiness level of storage of hydrogen in disused hydrocarbon fields by demonstrating that it works, by 2030. Local geological stores of hydrogen in the East Midlands will allow a much more rapid deployment of our hydrogen pipeline network and mean that more customers can switch away from natural gas and decarbonise more quickly.

Sally Brewis, head of regional development, Cadent.

51ÁÔÆæ will conduct essential tests on how the hydrogen may behave in the subsurface, including how hydrogen interacts with the environment and reservoir rock, so that we can more accurately predict, measure and monitor underground hydrogen storage.

51ÁÔÆæ is excited to be working with our EMStor partners on developing underground hydrogen storage in the East Midlands. Underground hydrogen storage will help provide energy security and ensure the supply of renewable and low-carbon energy to local businesses throughout the energy transition.

Through Project EMStor, we hope that to raise the technology readiness level and prove the scientific case for underground hydrogen storage in porous rocks.

Edward Hough, research lead in underground energy storage, BGS.

East Midlands Storage (EMstor), a consortium led by Cadent and partnered with BGS, Star Energy Group, Net Zero Strategy and the University of Edinburgh, has been awarded discovery funding by Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund to undertake a new study to evaluate geological storage potential in the East Midlands.

The EMstor study is the first of its kind in the region. It will undertake a feasibility assessment of the East Midlands’ geology to evaluate its potential to host storage technologies, allowing expansion of Cadent proposed 100 per cent hydrogen pipeline.

The East Midlands has numerous depleted oil reservoirs, which may have potential to store hydrogen. The study will characterise the potential geological reservoir to establish if it is suitable for hydrogen storage at scale in the local area.

It such exciting news that this funding bid for our EMstor study has been a success. This evaluation could potentially lay the foundations for a hydrogen storage demonstration project in the area through subsequent funding rounds, which could be game changing for the hydrogen economy in the region and will enable a more rapid decarbonisation of industry and power generators that want to switch to hydrogen. Consideration of using disused oil reservoirs for storing hydrogen is a new frontier for the industry and could have far-reaching benefits if it shown to be possible through this work.

Sally Brewis, head of regional development at Cadent.

The natural geology of the East Midlands will play an important role in supporting the use of hydrogen in the region. Storing hydrogen gives flexibility to the energy system, allowing excess hydrogen to be stored for use during periods when demand exceeds supply. In this project, BGS will build on its extensive laboratory and mapping programmes to help identify areas of the underground geology that may represent future exploration targets for hydrogen storage in bedrock.

Edward Hough, research lead in underground energy storage at BGS.

Many countries have signed up to commitments towards net zero carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions and, together with the continuing war in Ukraine and wider increases in energy prices, interest in all forms of secure, low-carbon energy sources is accelerating. We are starting to see how geothermal technologies can provide real solutions in the transition to net zero.

Using the world disused mining infrastructure to decarbonise the heating and cooling of buildings is one such technology. With heat demand commonly close to old mines, it is a solution through which people and communities can also be engaged in a just energy transition.

The Mine Water Energy Symposium

To share research, innovation, policy, application, licencing and regulation of mine-water energy schemes across the world, International Energy Agency (IEA) Geothermal and the UK Government supported the Mine Water Energy Symposium. Now in its third year, the free, online symposium has gone from strength to strength; the April 2023 event had to be extended in length due to the number of speakers offering talks! There were 215 attendees at Mine Water Energy 2023 from 18 countries.

Current schemes

Speakers from across industry, universities and regulators shared their knowledge and experience on a wide range of topics. One group of talks provided updates on mine-water energy schemes already in place or in the exploration stage from Germany, Spain, UK, USA and Canada. These talks demonstrated the size (hundreds of houses plus industrial or municipal buildings) of mine-water heat, cool and storage resources that are being used. An emerging theme was around successful integration with other technologies, for example solar-thermal and integration in fifth generation district heating and cooling networks.

Modelling mine-water energy systems

Cutting-edge modelling of mine-water energy systems was illustrated in several talks, applied to the size and sustainability of the heat resource as well as the geomechanical stability. Models were not theoretical; they were quantified using data from active mine-water schemes. The significant potential for further at-scale quantification, calibration and monitoring at the UK Geoenergy Observatory in Glasgow and the ‘Living Lab’ in Gateshead were also described. Experimental and analytical work examining changes in in-rock properties under heat and flow changes and geomicrobiological processes provided insight into controlling processes that could affect mine-water heat operations.

Thermal storage

An important emerging theme at the 2023 symposium was investigating thermal storage in disused mines and shafts for balancing intermittent electricity supply, for use of waste heat (for example from data centres) and to maintain long-term sustainability of temperature. The significant scale of potential storage was also highlighted. Interesting discussions included considering whether thermal storage would improve the economic case for mine-water heat schemes.

Raising awareness of mine-water energy

A number of talks covered economic, social and regulatory aspects. Community ownership and participation for a just, place-based energy transition provided a different perspective to speakers covering the opportunities offered by government-led heat zoning that could provide certainty to investors. The role of raising awareness with appropriate groups (for example housebuilders) was highlighted and a new mine-water heat resource map for Scotland was presented as a first step to guiding non-users to the opportunity.

Regulatory needs

Finally, a lively discussion followed presentations on an integrated regulatory and permitting regime in England, the needs of commercial operators and investors, and grant funding timelines for data and decisions. The symposium discussion ended with the aim of collectively articulating the data and regulatory needs for enhanced mine-water energy deployment and to raise awareness of these with decision makers.

Presentations

are available.

Thanks

Thank you to all the speakers and attendees for their contributions at Mine Water Energy 2023. We’re taking feedback from attendees and discussions are underway about next year, possibly for a hybrid event. We hope to see you all again next year.

Mine-water energy expert group

The aims to take forward these themes in its work throughout the year. Volunteers are welcome to join the group to contribute their knowledge and expertise by emailing MineWaterThermal_IEA@bgs.ac.uk (MineWaterThermal_IEA@bgs.ac.uk).

About the authors

Alison Monaghan leads mine-water energy research at BGS and is the science lead for the UK Geoenergy Observatory in Glasgow.

Gareth Farr is head of heat and by-product innovation at the Coal Authority.

The Cheshire Observatory in the University of Chester Thornton Science Park was approved by Cheshire West and Chester Council.

This means the £31 million project will be delivered in full by 2024. The is already operational and providing open data for scientists and researchers.

Together, the Geoenergy Observatories will provide scientists with at- scale test facilities that can be used to optimise and de-risk a range of subsurface energy technologies. They will increase the UK research and innovation in low-carbon energy supply and storage

Subsurface energy storage

The will comprise a network of 21 boreholes up to 100m deep. It will provide world-class research facilities for geoenergy storage scientists and innovators.

The boreholes will be equipped with a range of subsurface technologies including borehole heat exchangers for heating and cooling of the subsurface, advanced sensors for 3D imaging of subsurface processes in real-time, and equipment for multilevel groundwater monitoring and hydraulic control.

Data will be free and open to the public, public bodies, researchers and industry.

Construction will begin in summer 2022

Now that planning permission has been granted, construction is expected to start in summer 2022.

The project team has issued a tender for the principal contractor to build the Cheshire site.

If the UK is to meet its net zero targets, we need to balance renewable energy supply and demand and reduce our dependency on gas for heating.

The Cheshire Observatory will be a place where developers of geoenergy supply and storage technologies can work together to create high performance systems and understand how these interact with the subsurface environment.

It will complement the Glasgow Observatory, which is already providing important insights into how thermal energy in flooded former coal mine workings can be used for the heating of buildings.

This world-class facility will be open to users globally and will play a key role in our path towards a net zero energy future.

Dr Mike Spence, science director of the UK Geoenergy Observatories.

 

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