Energy

Renewable energy sources, such as offshore wind, are growing rapidly, but their output is intermittent, with electricity often generated at times of low demand. The subsurface offers a potentially sustainable way to store this excess energy, following conversion into hydrogen or compressed air, which can then be accessed when demand is high. The most viable storage options are porous and permeable rocks, as for CCS, or lined rock caverns such as disused mine workings or excavated salt formations.

Geotechnical engineering expertise at Leeds can also provide the geomechanical planning and monitoring necessary to avoid damage and leakages when using lined rock caverns. We are studying the effects of cyclic loading on different rock types to quantify the long term consequences of these energy storage schemes.