Northern Gas Networks and ITM Power are to collaborate on a power-to-gas energy storage study.
Funding for the study was secured from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) as part of its Energy Storage Feasibility Study Competition launched in January this year.
Power-to-gas energy storage is a scalable energy storage technology capable of absorbing power from the electricity grid at times when supply exceeds demand and when intermittent renewable generation causes network stability problems. In power-to-gas, electrical power is converted to chemical energy in the form of hydrogen, which can be injected and stored in the gas network. The gas network has the capacity to store large amounts of energy indefinitely.
The NGN/ITM feasibility study will focus on deployments capable of operating cost-effectively from 50MWh energy storage capacity upwards within the boundaries of the NGN gas distribution network.
With part of the work taking place at NGN’s Integrel whole systems facility near Gateshead, the study will provide detailed technical, economic and site-specific information about large-scale power-to-gas energy storage which will enable a decision on a potential large-scale energy storage demonstration project.
Mark Horsley, chief executive of Northern Gas Networks, said: “As renewable power generation increases, effective storage and transmission of surplus power will become ever more important. Instead of being lost, this surplus power has the potential to be turned into alternative green fuels such as hydrogen, and stored in the gas network for later use in transport, heat or generation.
Graham Cooley, chief executive of ITM Power, said: “The principle of the gas grid being used as a renewable energy store is a compelling idea for the gas industry. Northern Gas Networks are leaders in the use of hydrogen in the UK gas network for energy storage and for renewable heat.”
NGN launched its Integrel project this September in collaboration with Northern Powergrid and Newcastle University, exploring a whole systems approach to energy by breaking down traditional barriers between gas, electricity and transport sectors, using their assets to deliver more secure, affordable low carbon energy.
The facility near Gateshead will allow researchers and industry to carry out tests and trials of coupled gas, electricity and heat systems at a meaningful scale, explore new technology and ultimately deliver security of supply and cost benefits for customers.
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