Energy

BGS has a dedicated carbon capture and storage (CCS) research team.

Security of energy supply and reduction of carbon emissions is central to the UK Government's energy policy, as is maintaining a suitable mix of future energy resources.

The UK's natural resources are declining and will only be partially replaced by indigenous renewables.

BGS supports science that seeks to understand and maximise the recovery of dwindling fossil fuel reserves, as well as helping the development of renewable energy such as geothermal power.

Further fossil fuel development could be mitigated by carbon capture and storage (CCS). BGS is a world leader in CCS science and geophysical research into the structure of underground reservoirs, as well as a centre for research into unconventional hydrocarbon and coal resource development.

Research areas

Advanced seismic techniques

Underground reservoirs and the flow of liquids and gases within them are important to our understanding of reserves of oil, gas and groundwater.

CO₂ storage

BGS is recognised as a European centre of excellence for the study of carbon dioxide storage.

Clean coal exploitation and unconventional gas

Research into drilling into coal seams to extract the methane that naturally occurs within coal.

UK Geoenergy Observatories

The UK Geoenergy Observatories will establish new centres for research into the subsurface environment: generating knowledge that will contribute to the responsible development of new energy technologies.

The measured shallow temperature field in Britain

Geothermal energy

Geothermal energy in the UK and engineered geothermal systems.

BGS is a partner in the Midlands Energy Consortium, a collaboration in energy research and training, along with the Universities of Birmingham, Loughborough, Nottingham and Warwick.