The East Midlands Storage (EMstor) consortium, comprising Cadent, the British Geological Survey (BGS), Star Energy Group, Net Zero Strategy, and the University of Edinburgh, has secured funding from Ofgem's Strategic Innovation Fund. The funding aims to support a pioneering study to assess the geological storage potential for hydrogen in the East Midlands region. The study, a first in the area, will focus on evaluating the feasibility of utilizing depleted oil reservoirs for hydrogen storage, potentially enabling the expansion of Cadent's planned 100% hydrogen pipeline. Sally Brewis, head of regional development at Cadent, expressed excitement over the funding success, emphasizing the opportunity for a hydrogen storage demonstration project in the region. She highlighted the potential game-changing impact on the local hydrogen economy and the acceleration of decarbonization in various industries and power generation sectors. The consideration of repurposing disused oil reservoirs for hydrogen storage represents a novel approach that could yield significant benefits if proven viable. Edward Hough, the research lead in underground energy storage at BGS, underlined the significance of East Midlands' natural geology in facilitating hydrogen utilization. Storing hydrogen in geological formations offers flexibility to the energy system by allowing surplus hydrogen to be stored for peak demand periods. BGS will leverage its expertise in laboratory analysis and geological mapping to identify suitable areas for potential exploration in hydrogen storage within the bedrock. Overall, the EMstor study represents a forward-thinking initiative that could revolutionize hydrogen storage capabilities in the East Midlands, driving forward the region's transition towards sustainable energy solutions.