Royal Holloway has joined UK Energy Futures, a major collaboration led by Durham University to support the HyNet North-West industrial decarbonisation project and accelerate the UK’s energy transition.
The initiative will drive the UK’s transition to low-carbon energy and foster innovation in geoenergy technologies, and leverage global expertise to support HyNet’s objective to decarbonise the North-West of England and North Wales.
Supported by significant investment from industry, the project brings together leading experts in geoscience, engineering, and social science to advance sustainable energy solutions.
The partnership includes Durham, Liverpool, Manchester, and Newcastle universities - members of the N8 Research Partnership, alongside Royal Holloway,
The programme focuses on providing the means to reduce regional CO2 emissions by safely capturing and permanently storing CO2 from difficult to decarbonise heavy industry.
It will also explore the geological resources of the North-West, North Wales, and the East Irish Sea Basin, which offer significant potential to support the UK’s energy transition.
These resources include geothermal energy, net-zero carbon natural gas, and storage options for CO₂, hydrogen, compressed air, geothermal heat, and high-level nuclear waste.
Dr Nicola Scarselli, Associate Professor from the Department of Physical Sciences and Engineering at Royal Holloway, said: “We are pleased to be part of the UK Energy Futures programme and to support the HyNet North-West project."
“Through our expertise, we will study underground rock layers using advanced imaging technology."
“The research will help projects planned in the region to capture and store carbon dioxide safely underground.”
“Royal Holloway and its academic and industry partners will work closely to deliver the latest multidisciplinary research in support of the UK’s decarbonisation efforts.”
The overall research partnership has received funding support from the global energy tech company Eni.
This ambitious collaboration between academia and industry aims to strengthen UK energy security, sustainability, and affordability while creating new opportunities for jobs, growth, and social inclusion.
