A long, hard look underground is required to reach net zero, say experts

The only way the UK can reach its target of net zero emissions by 2050 is by taking a better look below the surface, say experts from BGS and geologists from across the UK.

Advances and investment in geothermal energy, carbon capture and storage (CCS) and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) are ‘critical’ to moving the UK towards its target, according to a new report published in Petroleum Geoscience.

If we want to reach net zero by 2050, we need to focus on increasing our knowledge of the subsurface of the UK.

Geothermal energy, carbon capture and storage and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage are the three technologies that could get the UK towards net zero.

The Natural Environment Research Council commissioned the £31 million UK Geoenergy Observatories, which are underway in Cardiff, Glasgow and Cheshire. These observatories are a huge step forwards and will help us understand the subsurface in detail that hasn’t been possible before.

We need more large-scale pilot and demonstrations of geothermal, CCS and BECCS so that we can make rapid advances in these fields.

Prof Mike Stephenson, BGS Chief Scientist for Decarbonisation and Resource Management.

Before meaningful progress can be made in decarbonisation and the three technologies with the most potential, Stephenson warned, scientists need to advance their understanding of the UK’s subsurface.

Earlier this year, around 100 geoscientists gathered in London to discuss decarbonisation. One of the most fundamental challenges we identified was the need to characterise the UK’s subsurface.

For the hydrogen economy to advance, we need to understand the properties of the deep rock salt that will be used to store the gas. If we want to store carbon dioxide, we need to map and characterise sandstone.

We need to know how gases and fluids flow through or are contained in these rocks so that we can start identifying new sites where these technologies could be installed.

Decarbonisation needs the right combination of geological advantages, and in some parts of the country clusters have already formed.

In the north-west of England, for example, there is the potential for offshore CCS, salt for hydrogen storage and some geothermal potential, next to many industries that need to get rid of carbon dioxide. This is an area we could focus our research to maximise advances in decarbonisation techniques.

Prof Mike Stephenson, BGS Chief Scientist for Decarbonisation and Resource Management.

The new report was compiled following the 2019 Bryan Lovell conference organised by the Geological Society.

Across the UK, geoscientists are working to address the challenges posed by the need to transition to low-carbon energy sources and meet UK targets for net-zero emissions.

By bringing together knowledge of subsurface structural characteristics, fluid flow, and geochemistry, they will be able to support and drive forward efforts to ensure the energy security and independence of the UK, whilst minimising the environmental impacts of energy generation.

Nick Rogers, President of the Geological Society.

Carbon capture and storage, combined with oil and gas production or hydrogen generation, can create almost carbon neutral energy supplies. It is an essential component to provide energy security while we transition to a low-carbon energy future.

The North Sea industry and supply chain already has many of the technologies we need to make CCS a reality and our institute has been active in CCS research for nearly 20 years. Now what’s required is large-scale demonstrations so we can build the business case for CCS.

Energy firms around the world are committing many millions of pounds into making CCS reality and it’s essential that the UK isn’t left behind.

Prof Sebastian Geiger, Director of Heriot-Watt University’s Institute for GeoEnergy Engineering.

Read the report in Petroleum Geoscience, the international journal of geoenergy and applied earth science.