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Energy storage is an essential component of the transitioning UK energy system, a crucial mechanism for stabilising intermittent renewable electricity supply and meeting seasonal variation in demand. Low-carbon hydrogen provides a balancing mechanism for variable renewable energy supply and demand, and a method for decarbonising domestic heating, essential for meeting the UK's 2050 net-zero targets. Geological hydrogen storage in porous rocks offers large-scale energy storage over a variety of timescales and has promising prospects due to the widespread availability of UK offshore hydrocarbon fields, with established reservoirs and existing infrastructure. This contribution explores the potential for storage within fields in the UK Continental Shelf. Through comparison of available energy storage capacity and current domestic gas demands, we quantify the hydrogen required to decarbonise the UK gas network. We estimate a total hydrogen storage capacity of 3454TWh, significantly exceeding the 120TWh seasonal domestic demand. Multi-criteria decision analysis, in consultation with an expert focus group, identified optimal fields for coupling with offshore wind, which could facilitate large-scale renewable hydrogen production and storage. These results will be used as inputs for future energy system modelling, optimising potential synergies between offshore oil and gas and renewables sectors, in the context of the energy transition., Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 528 (1), ISSN:0375-6440, ISSN:0305-8719, ISSN:2041-4927, Enabling Secure Subsurface Storage in Future Energy Systems

Decarbonisation of road transport is essential in a Net-Zero transition. Currently neither hydrogen nor electricity are inevitable. Is electrification the single obvious solution, or is a combination with hydrogen more functional and cost-effective? Scotland makes a good exemplar of transport Transition, with a defined geography, a world leading Net-Zero ambition, and proven pathways for generating large amounts of renewable energy. We identified essential elements of the new transport systems, including CapEx and OpEx and emissions through transition. We developed five scenarios modelled for transition around varying the pace of change for some or all vehicle classes. Monte Carlo simulations investigated the emissions, vehicle mixes, construction speed, and costs.CapEx to install generation and refuelling infrastructure for electricity or for hydrogen favours hydrogen by a substantial margin, with multi £Bn cost-reductions. Untaxed OpEx costs favour electricity, such that whole system costs are broadly similar for any mix, although untaxed per-km fuel costs for either should be lower than hydrocarbons. User experience, energy storage, vehicle characteristics, social factors, use of natural resources – almost all favour increased hydrogen use. Hydrogen interseasonal storage at national scale is feasible in salt caverns, with re-purposing of the transmission pipeline grid, and huge scale-up of generation; interseasonal electricity storage does not exist at national scale, and significant electrification penetration requires immense infrastructure upgrades.A no regrets action is the rapid deployment of hydrogen infrastructure for buses, trucks and large fleets, with enough to facilitate hydrogen car ownership. Jobs could be created and maintained locally in hydrogen manufacturing, installation and servicing.