Renewable energy infrastructure, whether on- or offshore, requires in-depth understanding and accurate characterisation of the underlying geology.  Developers increasingly need detailed geospatial observations of the seabed and shallow subsurface, which are critical to the siting and design of offshore infrastructure such as submarine cables and offshore wind turbines. This is certainly true in the Bristol Channel, which is home to the second largest tidal range in the world. This high-energy environment has attracted much interest around the use of the seabed for tidal power and the potential to produce electricity from wave energy.

To support policy- and decision makers in this region, BGS has released an enhanced seabed geology map of the Bristol Channel, almost four times the size of the original, which extends from Carmarthen Bay to Newport and further south to the coast of Somerset.

Beyond offshore infrastructure, these maps also directly contribute to understanding of marine ecosystems, coastal management and defence activities. The data provides crucial information to those ensuring the port facilities along this coastline meet the requirements for these development opportunities.

As the UK transition to renewable energy gathers pace, these maps will become increasingly valuable to industry and stakeholders with an interest in developing clean energy, from offshore wind to tidal streaming, and in carbon capture and storage.

The successful implementation of offshore renewable energy projects and technologies and the development of ports in South Wales require a detailed understanding of the seabed. This new, expanded, fine-scale seabed map of the Bristol Channel will be an invaluable resource for developers, providing access to high-quality, detailed observations of the seabed geology that is vital to these kinds of developments.

Beyond its critical role in supporting the renewables sector, the map will also be useful to other data users, such as those involved with supporting marine ecosystems, coastal management and defence activities. It will also provide evidence for policy- and decision makers in the region.

Rhian Kendall, BGS Chief Geologist for Wales.

The map, featuring combined bedrock, sediment, bedrock structure and seabed geomorphology data, is available from BGS under the fine-scale maps section of theand is designed to be viewed at 1:10000 scale, or online as downloadable shapefiles. For information on licensing the downloadable GIS data (ESRI format), please contact digitaldata@bgs.ac.uk.

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

The Crown Estate uses cutting-edge data to create safe, sustainable and cost-effective new opportunities for future developments, in line with commitments to net zero and nature recovery. BGS was approached by The Crown Estate to undertake a project aimed at better understanding the current and future requirements for national-scale seabed geology and shallow subsurface information across multiple marine sectors, focusing on offshore renewables, linear assets and nature.

The project built on previous collaboration between BGS and The Crown Estate in 2014, which developed a series of geological factor maps relevant to offshore seabed activities. The availability of new data and techniques provides a timely opportunity to review evolving needs.

Part of the project involved an online survey, which included more than 80 participants from at least 60 different organisations. Participants provided feedback about access and use, seabed geology information, thematic data needs, and where improvements to existing datasets or addition of new datasets could be made. Alongside the survey, we undertook a review of existing seabed geology datasets and used it in conjunction with the survey results to inform recommendations for a potential new data compilation.

We would like to thank all participants for their input to the survey. If you have any questions, please contact the BGS Offshore Data Team (offshoredata@bgs.ac.uk).

51���� and the Icelandic Geological Survey (ÍSOR) have been awarded an to assess Iceland offshore geological and geomorphological landscapes for the suitability of windfarms. The grant enables BGS scientists to share their experience in , as well as working with wind developments.��

Iceland fulfils its primary energy consumption with around 100 per cent renewable energy, via geothermal and hydro energy. Nowadays, there is a strong motivation to increase the country energy mix and energy security via wind power. Geology underpins the appropriate placement and foundation design for wind turbine structures. The NERC grant, which is supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, aims to facilitate knowledge sharing between BGS and ÍSOR about the geological classification of the seabed and subsurface, as well as the potential impacts on foundation design. 

To help facilitate this partnership, Anett Blischke, a senior geoscientist at ÍSOR, led a week-long field trip in Iceland. Participants from BGS included Nicola Dakin, Andrew Finlayson, Dayton Dove and Duncan Stevens, who were joined by ISOR Árni Magnússon, Steinunn Hauksdóttir and Ögmundur Erlendsson, alongside Sigurður Friðleifsson from the National Energy Authority of Iceland (Orkustofnun).  

Visiting Iceland presented a fantastic opportunity to see excellent analogue sites onshore that are often present in the UK offshore environment, such as glacial landforms and deposits. The field visits allowed us to discuss these sites, including the glacial moraine complex of �����ð����á�������Ի�ܰ�, how geoscience fits into the offshore wind development process in Iceland and its opportunities and challenges. 

Visit to the British Embassy 

The team was also invited to the British Embassy in Reykjavk to discuss the goals of the project. Embassy staff were eager to hear about the project goals and future collaborations around geology and renewables. During the visit and in her role as task lead of the Geological Service for Europe ‘Optimised windfarm siting’ work package, Nicola Dakin highlighted the benefits of the first deliverable to the European Commission: using the new ‘Geo-Assessment Matrix’, which will develop the first draft geological complexity maps offshore Iceland and European waters. Utilising existing datasets, such as , the maps aim to serve as a first-pass assessment showing areas that have low to high geological complexity. The maps will also highlight areas that require new data acquisition where the geology is unknown. 

Fieldwork 

The team then travelled east to Landsvirkjun, the state-owned energy utility company, at ��ú���ڱ����, which is an onshore wind turbine test site consisting of two turbines that have been in situ since 2012. Here, Landsvirkjun has been testing the development of onshore wind potential, using the powerful and persistent winds in the Icelandic highlands. Environmental impact assessments have been important to ensure that the effects on the area are minimised and a 200 MW windfarm has received development approval. 

The field trip continued along south Iceland coastal ribbon, where the team observed active volcanic, tectonic, sedimentary and glacial processes, the effects of sea level changes, and geohazards. Such onshore analogues are critical to understanding the geological processes found in offshore environments. Starting in the west, at Stokkseyri, and travelling to Jökulsárlón (‘Diamond Beach’) in the east, the team visited a range of geological outcrops and sites highlighting the variety of tectonic, sedimentary and volcanic challenges.  

South Iceland offers a variety of geological features that can be studied to better understand the offshore environment: variable topography, ancient lava flows and glacial landforms tens of metres high. Understanding depositional environments, such as those around �����Բ��ڱ��������ö��ܱ���, is key to understanding their effects on sedimentology and any possible engineering implications in advance of foundation design and installation. 

The final study location of Melasveit consists of an outcrop near Akranes, north-west of Reykjavk. The locality exposes ancient glaciotectonised sediments in a cliff section along the beach (Sigfúsdóttir et al., 2018). This cross-section is an excellent analogue to the lateral and vertical heterogeneity, and possible geotechnical impacts, of glaciotectonised sediments, which are also observed in windfarm sites the North Sea. 

The final, fortuitous and (naturally) most spectacular geological phenomenon was a visit to the fissure eruption that began during our visit on 22 August 2024 near the Blue Lagoon and the Svartsengi geothermal energy plant. Icelandic authorities closed the roads to protect people; however, the eruption and lava flows can be observed safely from the roadside.  

Future collaboration 

Iceland is a country full of opportunity regarding offshore wind potential. The geohazards and geological constraints in the offshore environment require a full assessment to better understand the influence on foundation types and design. BGS openly welcomes ÍSOR and Orkustofnun for further workshops and continuing our collaboration in the future. 

More information 

Field guide 

A summarising the visited sites is available online. 

References 

Sigfúsdóttir, T, Benediktsson, Í Ö, and Phillips, E. 2018. . Boreas, Vol. 47(3), 813–836. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/bor.12306;

Lithium is a key component in the batteries that power electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems, making it essential for the global energy transition. The ‘Lithium Triangle’ region, covering parts of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile, hosts about 50 per cent of known global lithium resources in salty brines found in salt flats, or salars. Optimising this potential is crucial for meeting the growing demand for lithium.

However, issues exist around the potential effects of brine mining on sensitive habitats, groundwater and local and indigenous communities. Sustainable and responsible extraction is a key objective of the region: balancing environmental and social considerations against the urgent need for lithium is a complex challenge that requires collaborative approaches.

To help address this challenge, a BGS-led project is investigating the gaps in knowledge, data and capacity that may prevent the responsible production of lithium from the Lithium Triangle. Through collaboration, it will propose a prioritised research roadmap to help address gaps.  

Workshops in South America

In March 2024, in partnership with local institutions, BGS organised and attended workshops across the Lithium Triangle. The team started in Buenos Aires, Argentina, meeting with representatives from the national government, the geological survey and researchers from Argentina (CONICET). They then travelled to Salta in the north for workshops with operators and the provincial governments of Salta, Jujuy and Catarmarca.

The team then moved on to Chile, starting in Santiago for workshops with researchers, the geological survey, policymakers and operators. The next workshop was held in Copiapo, in the north of Chile, hosted by the University of Atacama with researchers, local government and indigenous community representatives attending.

The workshops provided participatory space for an open dialogue between different stakeholders. The exchange of views and participants’ experience and insights will aid the development of the research roadmap.

Further work

The team is now working on the outcomes and findings from the workshops. A draft of the final report will be shared openly for feedback and input from workshop participants and interested stakeholders. The aim is for the report and roadmap to be used to identify potential research projects, as well as collaboration opportunities and support applications for funding. All this will aid the responsible scale-up of lithium production from salars in South America.

Thanks

We would like to thank all the participants at the workshops and meetings for their valuable time and engagement. We would also like to thank the British embassies in Argentina and Chile and Simon Chater, who is head of science and innovation at the , for all their help.

Funding

The project is funded through the UK Science Innovation Network of the and . Funding was also received from the Chilean embassy.

51���� research team

• Jon Ford
• Rowan Halkes
• Andrew Hughes
• Evi Petavratzi

About the author

Rowan Halkes

Rowan Halkes

Sustainable mineral resources scientist

Find out more

For the first time in 25 years, new geological data has been used to create an offshore East Anglia fine-scale (1:10 000) map. The map captures essential insights that will prove invaluable in the pursuit of further renewable energy development in the area, whilst allowing for better protection of nationally important habitats and species. The map, released by BGS, reveals hidden geological features of the seabed offshore north-east Norfolk. It provides new insights into the longer-term geological evolution of the region, including the extent and legacy of glaciation that affected the area during the geological past.

Results of the research include:

• the first high-resolution geological map of the offshore area around north-east Norfolk
• mapping of a prominent area of an offshore chalk (bedrock) reef, a rare ecological habitat that has been designated a

• geology is dominated by superficial (Pleistocene) deposits and landforms that record the eastwards growth of a large delta followed by several phases of glaciation

The map has been created by the interpretation of high-resolution bathymetric data captured by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, shallow seismic data and historical sediment samples.

The opportunities presented by this enhanced understanding of a vital part of the UK offshore environment are considerable, providing the tools to support a diverse range of offshore activities and applications, including scientific research, offshore development, conservation efforts and marine management.

It is particularly interesting that we have mapped an extensive area of offshore chalk reef that corresponds to a designated Marine Conservation Zone. The mapping has also identified widespread geological and geomorphological evidence for the longer-term, ice age history of the offshore region, complementing knowledge gathered onshore from adjacent north-east Norfolk.

Collectively, this new geological mapping will help a range of users understand the geology of the seabed, enabling them to make more effective and informed decisions about how to manage or interact with it.

Dr Jonathan Lee, BGS Quaternary Geologist.

The offshore East Anglia area forms an important region within the nation energy infrastructure, being a focus for successive phases of development of offshore renewables, such as windfarms, and related infrastructure. The area is also critical for marine conservation, as it hosts Europe longest known offshore chalk reef.

The new offshore East Anglia geological maps are available from BGS under the ‘fine-scale maps’ (1:10 000 scale) section of the Offshore GeoIndex, or as downloadable shapefiles for offline viewing.

Through a greater understanding of the geology below the seabed, the UK can enhance its development of offshore renewable, whilst helping to protect threatened habitats and rare species that are nationally important.

Dr Jonathan Lee.

Notes to editors

The offshore East Anglia geological maps are an interpretation of the seabed, based primarily on high-resolution bathymetric data that includes information about the depths and shapes of underwater terrain. The data is captured through the Maritime and Coastguard Agency UK .

Geological interpretation is further informed by:

• acoustic backscatter data
• grab samples and sediments
• shallow seismic data
• existing onshore and offshore geological map products

The East Anglia map forms part of aseries of new fine-scale mapsproduced by BGS which are focused on the seabed geology of the UK continental shelf.

51���� and Iceland GeoSurvey (ÍSOR) will collaborate and share their knowledge on windfarm development to help drive the opportunity for offshore Icelandic renewable energy.

As part of the one-year project, there will be two field trips, one to Iceland in August 2024 and another to Scotland in September 2024. These trips will combine fieldwork and workshops focused on knowledge exchange, particularly on the process of geological ground-model development. They will highlight how geologists characterise the geology and outline potential geological constraints at the seabed, near the seabed surface, and in changing coastal domains.

As part of the Icelandic fieldwork, the BGS-ÍSOR partnership will be heading to �����ð����á�������Ի�ܰ�, the largest glacial outwash plain in the world. This site is an analogue for subsurface conditions expected in buried palaeo-landscapes found in the North Sea. Both countries have rugged coastlines with varying bedrock characteristics. Additionally, Iceland must account for geodynamic shifts due to tectonic plate movements and volcanic eruptions.

Upon project completion, the partnership will gain a deeper understanding of glacial systems, focusing on the range and distribution of sediments and bedrock properties resulting from the diverse coastal formations off the coast of Iceland compared to the UK. This insight will enable project partners to make more informed assessments regarding foundation designs for renewable energy infrastructure.

The NERC-Arctic grant and cooperation with the 51���� is an exciting opportunity for Iceland to chart and access a completely new area of the renewable industry, as Iceland’s focus has been traditionally onshore in geothermal and hydropower production. This collaboration is the beginning of a better understanding of the opportunities and de-risking processes for offshore renewables in extreme environments for Iceland.

Anett Blischke, marine geoscientist at ÍSOR and the University of Iceland.

51���� and ÍSOR are part of the Geological Service for Europe (GSEU), aiming to create partnerships and knowledge exchange between countries on optimising offshore windfarm siting. The NERC-Arctic grant is an exciting example of gaining insights into subsurface variability through applied fieldwork, leading to further understanding on the potential impact on foundation design for offshore renewables in different geological settings.

Nicola Dakin, BGS Marine Geoscientist.

The is an opportunity for researchers based in the United Kingdom and Iceland to make joint applications for bursaries ranging from £5000 to a maximum of £20 000 to support active participation in new partnerships.