Energy transition

Our mission

One of BGS’s core objectives is to support a more secure energy transition. BGS research and data are used to inform and optimise project development and deployment, enabling the effective and responsible use of the subsurface for generations to come.

Who we work with

• UK Government departments
• North Sea Transition Authority
• Nuclear Waste Services
• Mining Remediation Authority
• Environment Agency
• Licence operators and energy companies
• World Bank

BGS involvement in energy transition technologies

The UK Government has identified making the country a ‘clean energy superpower’ one of its key missions, by investing in and developing net zero projects and technologies. The subsurface has the potential to deliver this ambition. Understanding how these technologies affect and interact with each other in the subsurface and associated surface infrastructure is crucial to ensuring optimisation, deployment, long-term safety and effectiveness. BGS has identified areas of the UK with subsurface compositions that are ‘just right’ to host multiple energy transition technologies, such as:

• carbon capture, utilisation and storage: this technology captures carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitted from industrial sources and permanently stores it in offshore porous rocks, or reacts it with minerals to permanently lock CO₂ away (known as mineralisation)
• windfarm renewable energy: UK offshore windfarms are extensive and amongst the largest in Europe. Deployment requires detailed understanding of the shallow subsurface
• geothermal: geothermal technologies are planned across the UK, from grid-scale to domestic use. They extract the natural heat within the Earth for use in heating and electricity generation
• energy storage: the subsurface can be used to store excess energy from renewable sources and balance the grid over medium- to long-term durations. Energy can be stored in the form of ‘green’ or ‘blue’ hydrogen, compressed air or thermal energy, and can be extracted and used to provide electricity or heat when needed
• critical minerals: net zero technologies, from wind turbines to electric vehicles, use critical minerals such as the ‘rare earth elements’ in their construction. Understanding where they are available in the UK and gathering intelligence about global flows and supply chains are crucial to the continued development of the UK’s net zero industry

The challenge

Transitioning to renewable and low-carbon energy sources is essential for ensuring that the UK meets its net zero target by 2050. Many of the technologies that make this transition viable involve the subsurface in some way, whether to generate heat, store energy, or lock away CO₂ to reach net zero, provide energy security and create jobs. To implement these technologies safely and effectively, it is vital we understand the subsurface, how technologies use it, how they may interact with each other and how to optimise the subsurface for maximum return on investment.

Solutions

As the UK’s national geological survey organisation, we lead cutting-edge research to uncover the nation’s geological potential for renewable energy deployment and clean energy, and to unlock the resources needed to support the UK’s sustainable future.

We provide robust and authoritative datasets to support the planning and development of renewable energy initiatives. These include:

• high-resolution geological maps and models
• aquifer and groundwater data
• geophysical and geochemical datasets
• information on natural and anthropogenic hazards

Case studies

CO2Stored is the UK national CO2 storage database of offshore geological CO2 storage sites and conveys the country’s significant potential CO2 storage capacity. The map-enabled database informs storage site regulation and selection by industry operators, research and the UK Government’s strategy and vision for a competitive UK CO2 storage service from 2035.

The BGS-hosted Critical Minerals Intellgence Centre (CMIC) supports the UK in securing the sustainable supply of critical minerals. CMIC provides expert evidence to help mitigate risks to supply security, support economic prosperity and create opportunities for UK businesses in mineral supply chains. We deliver this through detailed analyses, including the UK Criticality Assessment and foresight studies that highlight current vulnerabilities in mineral supply chains and projected demand to 2050.