Energy storage and clean fuel company ITM Power plc (LON:ITM) has secured funding from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to undertake a study examining the potential deployment of large-scale power-to-gas energy storage.
ITM will collaborate with gas supplier Northern Gas Networks on the study, which will focus on deployments capable of operating cost-effectively from 50 Megawatt hours (MWh) energy storage capacity upwards within the boundaries of the NGN gas distribution network.
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Power-to-gas energy storage is capable of absorbing power from the electricity grid at times when supply exceeds demands.
This electrical power is then converted into hydrogen which can be injected and stored in the gas network indefinitely.
The feasibility study will provide detailed, site-specific information about large-scale power-to-gas storage which will inform a decision on a potential large-scale energy storage demonstration project.
"We are delighted to be working closely with Northern Gas Networks on this study to deploy large scale Power-to-Gas energy storage on their network,” said ITM chief executive Graham Cooley.
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“The principle of the gas grid being used as a renewable energy store is a compelling idea for the gas industry.”
He added: “Northern Gas Networks are leaders in the use of hydrogen in the UK gas network for energy storage and for renewable heat."
NGN chief executive Mark Horsley said: “The whole systems approach and Power-to-Gas technology are incredibly exciting prospects for the UK's future energy mix and we're delighted to be a partner in this pioneering project, part of which will take place at InTEGReL, our whole systems facility near Gateshead.”