EMStor Consortium Advances Underground Hydrogen Storage in East Midlands
Key Ideas
- The EMStor consortium, including key partners like Cadent, BGS, and Edinburgh University, has secured strategic innovation funding to advance underground hydrogen storage in the East Midlands.
- The project aims to increase the technology readiness level of hydrogen storage in disused hydrocarbon fields by demonstrating its functionality by 2030, facilitating a quicker transition away from natural gas.
- BGS will conduct essential tests on hydrogen behavior in the subsurface to enhance predictions, measurements, and monitoring of underground hydrogen storage, contributing to energy security and the transition to renewable energy sources.
- The EMStor alpha phase will address key aspects like public perception, technical feasibility, regulatory challenges, and geological assessment to further progress the development of underground hydrogen storage.
The East Midlands Storage (EMStor) consortium has received strategic innovation funding to advance underground hydrogen storage, building on previous work in the region. The consortium, led by Cadent and including partners like BGS, Edinburgh University, and new additions like Centrica Storage and Uniper, aims to develop hydrogen storage in repurposed hydrocarbon fields. This approach aligns with the importance of hydrogen storage for future energy security, resilience, and affordability in the East Midlands. Aiming to demonstrate the feasibility of underground hydrogen storage by 2030, the project will also focus on advancing understanding in key areas like public perception, technical requirements, and regulatory considerations. BGS's role in conducting essential tests on hydrogen behavior in the subsurface will enhance the accuracy of predicting, measuring, and monitoring underground hydrogen storage. Through the EMStor project, the goal is to raise the technology readiness level and establish the scientific foundation for underground hydrogen storage in porous rocks, enabling a faster transition to renewable and low-carbon energy sources. The project anticipates sharing its findings and outlining next steps in a dissemination event scheduled for spring 2025.