Scientists at the University of Aberdeen are developing technology that will enable electricity generated by renewables to be “banked” as green hydrogen in depleted oil and gas reservoirs alongside industrial carbon emissions.
The research could play a key role in helping Scotland achieve its net zero ambitions and even become a net exporter of hydrogen.
It could also provide a new lease of life to depleted oil and gas reservoirs and aquifers, as well as their pipeline and well infrastructure.
The technology has the potential to reduce constraint payments made to wind farm operators to stop generating electricity when production is too high, by allowing the excess electricity to be converted to green hydrogen and stored for use elsewhere.
The first phase of these projects, which is already underway, uses a combination of modelling, simulation and laboratory experimentation to evaluate the most effective means of transporting hydrogen through the onshore and offshore North Sea pipeline network, with the aim of developing digital tools that will enable transportation to homes and businesses.
It is also investigating the co-storage of hydrogen and carbon dioxide in depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs and aquifers, with CO2 acting as a “cushion” gas.
This technique has never been attempted before but could be used to store blue hydrogen and the associated CO2 at a large scale.
Meanwhile, the second phase will focus on field trials and commercialisation through the potential formation of a spin-out company to drive the technology forward.
A recent independent report to the UK government has highlighted issues around the ability of the National Grid to cope with increased power generation as more renewables projects come on stream, underlining the potential benefits of the project in easing pressure on the grid.
Furthermore, the Scottish government-funded Hydrogen Backbone Link project has underlined the important role that hydrogen could play in Scotland’s ambitions to become a net exporter of green energy.
The projects which have received support from the Net Zero Technology Centre’s (NZTC) Net Zero R&D Programme which is funded by the Scottish Government, Scottish Funding Council and Scottish Enterprise.
It is backed by a range of industrial partners including a number of UKCS North Sea Operators, Scottish Gas Network, BatiGea, UK Elixir consultants, and Flow Expertise.
Prashant Jadhawar from the University’s School of Engineering is leading the project.
Dr Jadhawar said the development of these technologies is a potential “game-changer” which could play a major role in helping Scotland meet its target of 5GW of green and low-carbon hydrogen production (equivalent to a sixth of the country’s energy needs) by 2030.
“This target relies on there being sufficient hydrogen storage capacity which only subsurface geological formations such as depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs or aquifers can deliver on such a large TeraWatt (TWh) scale,” he explained.
“Through our current research we have estimated up to a 20TWh hydrogen storage capacity, as well as the permanent sequestration of 50 million tons (Mton) of CO2 in a single UKCS reservoir investigated so far.
“By offering the safe and effective storage of bulk quantities of hydrogen and carbon dioxide, our project offers a unique opportunity to help Scotland meet its hydrogen production targets as well as offering the potential for Scotland to become a net exporter of hydrogen.
“It will also help extend the life of depleted oil and gas reservoirs and associated infrastructure, helping ensure a continued and important role for the North Sea in the net zero economy.”
Dr Jadhawar will present his research at the Offshore Europe conference taking place this week in Aberdeen, where he is presenting at the conference’s Technical Session on Hydrogen Challenges taking place tomorrow (Thursday, 7 September) from 10am.
He will then give a further talk on the University of Aberdeen’s stand (2E68) at 1pm.