Ofgem to fund new geothermal energy storage project
Geosolutions Leeds, in collaboration with Northern Powergrid, LCP Delta, E.ON Next, Leeds City Council, and Star Refrigeration, has secured new funding from Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) for an innovative interdisciplinary geothermal energy storage project.
This project will leverage the University’s Geothermal Campus living lab as we explore how long duration storage of thermal energy in the subsurface can contribute to delivering electricity grid balancing and advanced network management. As our heating and transport systems become ever more electrified, providing this flexibility will be key to keeping the UK on track for a Net Zero compatible energy system.
The Strategic Innovation Fund is designed to accelerate the transition to Net Zero by supporting innovation in the electricity and gas sectors. It focuses on developing scalable, practical solutions that address key challenges such as decarbonisation, system resilience, and affordability.
The new GeoGrid project aligns closely with these objectives, bringing together a consortium of partners to explore cutting-edge solutions to improve energy system efficiency and sustainability.
Working across the Faculties of Environment and Engineering and Physical Science, data gathered from the Geothermal Campus will enable the assessment of scalable solutions for grid balancing that could be implemented across the UK.
This innovative project addresses pressing issues such as the rising electricity demands from heat electrification, the inefficiencies associated with curtailing renewable energy, and the need to deliver low-carbon heating networks to meet around 20% of the UK’s heat demand. GeoGrid will demonstrate how new value streams from the system and market interaction can help improve the business case for district heating.
By integrating geothermal storage into the energy system, GeoGrid aims to lower network connection costs, reduce costly reinforcement, and enhance grid resilience. The project will demonstrate how curtailed renewable energy can be stored and deployed more effectively at lower cost, supporting decarbonisation goals while balancing supply and demand.