Our research focuses on exploring how hydrogen and energy can be stored within porous rocks to help balance the intermittent supply of renewable energy. An increasing reliance on intermittent renewable electricity sources has made it difficult to balance supply with demand. This is likely to become more challenging as the proportion of renewables in our energy system increases and will require innovative technologies to store energy. One solution is the large-scale geological storage of energy in the form of hydrogen. Electricity generated from stored hydrogen can balance summer-to-winter seasonal energy demands, with the added potential for hydrogen to repurpose the gas grid and replace methane for heating. This is significant as heating domestic and commercial buildings is currently the largest source of carbon emissions in the UK, exceeding those for electricity generation. However, the underground storage of hydrogen in porous rocks has not yet been demonstrated commercially. HyStorPor project We have instigated the world's first research programme to develop underground storage of hydrogen. This technology has the potential to transform the capabilities of renewable energy, which has far-reaching implications for industry and our planet. Hydrogen can be generated by electricity when wind is plentiful and stored underground, to be used as fuel at times when there is little wind. Through our HyStorPor project, we are working with a range of industry partners on the large-scale geological storage of energy in the form of hydrogen. This is significant as heating our buildings – both domestic and commercial – is currently the largest source of carbon emissions in the UK, exceeding those for electricity generation. However, the underground storage of hydrogen in porous rocks has not yet been demonstrated commercially. Our HyStorPor project is addressing the questions that require answers before commercial trials can begin. Through state-of-the-art laboratory experiments, our team will explore the geological underground storage of hydrogen in geographically-widespread porous rocks. The project also includes a multidisciplinary information hub on hydrogen usage and storage, based at the University. Visit the HyStorPor project blog Publications * Affiliated members highlighted in bold (2021) A Quantitative Assessment of the Hydrogen Storage Capacity of the UK Continental Shelf. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. *Authors: Scafidi, J., Wilkinson, M., Gilfillan, S., Heinemann, N., Haszeldine, R.S. View publication (2021) Enabling large-scale hydrogen storage in porous media – the scientific challenges. Energy and Environmental Science. *Authors: Heinemann, N., Alcalde, J., Miocic, J.M., Hangx, S.J.T., Kallmeyer, J., Ostertag-Henning, C., Hassanpouryouzband, A., Thaysen, E.M., Strobel, G.J., Schmidt-Hattenberger, C., Edlmann, K., Wilkinson, M., Bentham, M., Haszeldine, R.S., Carbonell, R., Rudloff, A. View publication (2020) Olfactory appraisal of odorants for 100% hydrogen networks. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 45, 20, 11875-11884. *Authors: Mouli-Castillo, J., Bartlett, S., Murugan, A., Badham, P., Wrynne, A., Haszeldine, S., Wheeldon, M., Mcintosh, A. View publication (2019) Inter-seasonal compressed-air energy storage using saline aquifers. Nature Energy, 4, 131–139. *Authors: Mouli-Castillo, J., Wilkinson, M., Mignard, D., McDermott, C., Haszeldine, R., Shipton, Z. View publication (2018) Hydrogen storage in porous geological formations – onshore play opportunities in the midland valley (Scotland, UK). International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 43, 45, 20861-20874. *Authors: Heinemann, N.,Booth, M., Haszeldine, S., Wilkinson, M., Scafidi, J., Edlmann, K. View publication (2016) Seasonal storage of hydrogen in a depleted natural gas reservoir. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 41, 12, 5549-5558. *Author: Amid, A., Mignard, D., Wilkinson, M. View publication This article was published on 2024-07-01
