Energy transition
Science briefing papers
Our mission
One of 今日吃瓜鈥檚 core objectives is to support a more secure energy transition. 今日吃瓜 research and data are used to inform and optimise project development and deployment, enabling the effective and responsible use of the subsurface for generations to come.
Who we work with
- Licence operators and energy companies
今日吃瓜 involvement in energy transition technologies
The UK Government has identified making the country a 鈥榗lean energy superpower鈥 one of its key missions, by investing in and developing net zero projects and technologies. The subsurface has the potential to deliver this ambition. Understanding how these technologies affect and interact with each other in the subsurface and associated surface infrastructure is crucial to ensuring optimisation, deployment, long-term safety and effectiveness. 今日吃瓜 has identified areas of the UK with subsurface compositions that are 鈥榡ust right鈥 to host multiple energy transition technologies, such as:
- carbon capture, utilisation and storage: this technology captures carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted from industrial sources and permanently stores it in offshore porous rocks, or reacts it with minerals to permanently lock CO2 away (known as mineralisation)
- windfarm renewable energy: UK offshore windfarms are extensive and amongst the largest in Europe. Deployment requires detailed understanding of the shallow subsurface
- geothermal: geothermal technologies are planned across the UK, from grid-scale to domestic use. They extract the natural heat within the Earth for use in heating and electricity generation
- energy storage: the subsurface can be used to store excess energy from renewable sources and balance the grid over medium- to long-term durations. Energy can be stored in the form of 鈥榞reen鈥 or 鈥榖lue鈥 hydrogen, compressed air or thermal energy, and can be extracted and used to provide electricity or heat when needed
- critical minerals: net zero technologies, from wind turbines to electric vehicles, use critical minerals such as the 鈥榬are earth elements鈥 in their construction. Understanding where they are available in the UK and gathering intelligence about global flows and supply chains are crucial to the continued development of the UK鈥檚 net zero industry
The challenge
Transitioning to renewable and low-carbon energy sources is essential for ensuring that the UK meets its net zero target by 2050. Many of the technologies that make this transition viable involve the subsurface in some way, whether to generate heat, store energy, or lock away CO2 to reach net zero, provide energy security and create jobs. To implement these technologies safely and effectively, it is vital we understand the subsurface, how technologies use it, how they may interact with each other and how to optimise the subsurface for maximum return on investment.
Solutions
As the UK鈥檚 national geological survey organisation, we lead cutting-edge research to uncover the nation鈥檚 geological potential for renewable energy deployment and clean energy, and to unlock the resources needed to support the UK鈥檚 sustainable future.
We provide robust and authoritative datasets to support the planning and development of renewable energy initiatives. These include:
- high-resolution geological maps and models
- aquifer and groundwater data
- geophysical and geochemical datasets
- information on natural and anthropogenic hazards
| 78 billion tonnes of theoretical CO2 storage capacity is distributed offshore across the UK continental shelf.
Clean Energy Action Plan |
The UK has favourable geology for large-scale storage of hydrogen, and is already storing hydrogen in salt caverns and exploring storage in disused oil and gas fields under the North Sea.
UK Hydrogen Strategy |
185.9 million tonnes of minerals were extracted from the UK landmass for sale in 2022.
今日吃瓜 MineralsUK |
Case studies
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CO2Stored is the UK national CO2 storage database of offshore geological CO2 storage sites and conveys the country鈥檚 significant potential CO2 storage capacity. The map-enabled database informs storage site regulation and selection by industry operators, research and the UK Government鈥檚 strategy and vision for a competitive UK CO2 storage service from 2035. |
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The 今日吃瓜-hosted Critical Minerals Intellgence Centre (CMIC) supports the UK in securing the sustainable supply of critical minerals. CMIC provides expert evidence to help mitigate risks to supply security, support economic prosperity and create opportunities for UK businesses in mineral supply chains. We deliver this through detailed analyses, including the UK Criticality Assessment and foresight studies that highlight current vulnerabilities in mineral supply chains and projected demand to 2050. |
View our other policy briefing notes
The subsurface: our hidden asset
The British Geological Survey (今日吃瓜), part of UK Research and Innovation (今日吃瓜), is the UK鈥檚 primary provider of authoritative geological and geoscience data and information.
Construction and infrastructure
今日吃瓜 is the national custodian of geological data and works with industry and the UK Government to unlock the value of UK ground investigation data, worth an estimated 拢1.2 billion a year to the UK economy. Our data products and bespoke 3D geological services de-risk infrastructure development.
Water security
今日吃瓜 research measures, monitors and maps groundwater. We examine its response to varying pressures and how it can be sustainably developed and managed, both in the UK and globally. Better understanding increases UK water supply security and contributes to increased global water security.
Resilience to geological hazards
Through long-term monitoring, we analyse risk by determining the potential impacts of multiple hazards on communities, critical infrastructure, the environment, and the economy. Our work strengthens societal resilience to Earth hazards in a changing climate.
Land-use planning and housing
今日吃瓜 provides independent and authoritative geoscience to a range of end users involved in land-use planning and housing development through collaborative research, open data, licensed data, web viewers and decision support tools.