Large-scale hydrogen storage must be kick-started now to reach net zero

Construction of large-scale hydrogen storage facilities needs to begin immediately if the UK government is to have any chance of meeting its net zero targets, a report by the Royal Society has concluded. Storing hydrogen in closed salt mines would be the best way to meet the country‘s long-term storage needs as it has the lowest cost per unit of energy storage capacity, it adds.

The UK government has committed to decarbonising the electricity system by 2035 and reaching net zero by 2050. As the national grid is being decarbonised, an increasing fraction of the nation’s electricity is being supplied by wind and solar energy – the cheapest low-carbon energy. However, there will be times when the intermittent nature of wind and solar power will mean that demand outstrips supply and back-up energy sources will be needed.

The report examines a wide variety of ways to store surplus wind and solar generated electricity – including green hydrogen, advanced compressed air energy storage, ammonia and heat – which will be needed to ensure energy security when the sun is not shining, and the wind is not blowing.