The Knapton H2 Storage consortium has been awarded Discovery funding by Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) to evaluate storage potential in the Knapton, North Yorkshire, area.

Specifically, the study will investigate depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs, porous aquifers, salt deposits, and lined rock shaft options in the Vale of Pickering and the wider North Yorkshire region to assess the suitability of hydrogen storage.

The consortium is also exploring how hydrogen storage could provide a clean backup fuel supply for nearby gas-fired plants.

“Centrica’s Knapton site is being redeveloped as a clean energy hub for solar generation, green hydrogen production, and battery storage,” explained Centrica’s Chris McClane.

“This project will advance the readiness of hydrogen storage technologies by unlocking a replica model to realise its potential at scale to supply hydrogen for power generation.”

Alongside NGN and Centrica, the British Geological Survey, Third Energy Onshore, and the University of Edinburgh bring geological, commercial, operational, and academic expertise to the consortium.

BGS is set to conduct laboratory testing, mapping, and modelling of local geology to identify potential formations, while Third Energy Offshore will provide regional subsurface knowledge and access to legacy hydrocarbon assets that could be repurposed.

The consortium secured funding under Ofgem’s RIIO-2 price control, which supports innovation in the UK’s gas and electricity networks.

Earlier this year, Ofgem also backed Gravitricity’s H2Flexistore project, which aims to create new engineered storage solutions that don’t rely on favourable geology for hydrogen storage.