“By storing surplus renewable electricity as hydrogen, you unlock economies of scale that other storage technologies simply can’t reach. It’s the energy density and versatility of hydrogen that makes it one of the most cost-effective ways to store power at system scale – particularly as renewable generation continues to grow.”
This was just one topic covered during a recent episode of Aurora Energy Research’s Energy Unplugged podcast episode, which featured a discussion between Haldane Energy CEO Lawson Steele and Marten Ford, project leader at Aurora, to explore how the UK can maintain security of supply as renewable generation expands and gas-fired power stations approach retirement.
During the conversation, Lawson set out the strategic rationale for H2-LDES storage, explaining how it can provide firm, dispatchable power for days or even weeks – far beyond the capabilities of short-duration storage technologies. He also highlighted hydrogen’s ability to store large volumes of surplus renewable energy economically at scale.
The duo also covered the design and operation of closed-loop hydrogen systems, including electrolysers, underground salt cavern storage and hydrogen-fuelled power generation. Lawson highlighted the importance of using established, proven technologies to deliver system resilience at scale.
Commercial viability was a central theme, with the episode examining how government schemes and market frameworks can help de-risk investment in large-scale hydrogen storage infrastructure.
The podcast offered a practical, system-focused perspective on hydrogen’s role in the energy transition – positioning long-duration storage as essential infrastructure for a reliable, cost-effective UK power system.
Listen to the 30-minute episode via Aurora Energy Research, Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Hydrogen’s role in the UK energy system is coming into sharper focus. Drawing on insights from the Hydrogen UK Conference, Wes Tivnen explores how hydrogen can support reliability, unlock value and accelerate delivery across the power system.
Responding to a new report, Ryan Craig writes that expanding renewable generation is not enough. Without the ability to store surplus power and deploy it when generation falls, the system remains exposed.
When Susan Arkley joined Haldane Energy in 2023, she was entering an entirely new industry. With a background in International Relations and Economics and experience from a graduate programme in the investment sector, she developed strong foundations in commercial analysis, financial modelling and communication. But she was looking for something more purposeful.