Net Zero – Energy Storage Research Project

RPA is working with the Environment Agency to review existing knowledge on the environmental and social impact of energy storage techniques. This includes assessment of the anticipated deployment trajectories of the following technologies: ammonia storage, hydrogen storage, compressed air energy storage (CAES), thermal energy storage (TES), underground pumped hydroelectric storage (UPHS) and battery energy storage systems (BESS). RPA will be producing an evidence synthesis report following analysis of primary and secondary literature and identifying key evidence gaps in the environmental implications from energy storage technologies. Alongside an assessment of the environmental implications, a geographic mapping of the enabling conditions for deployment of these technologies will be produced (salt caverns, mines etc.) by our partners at RAB consultants.

The works feeds into the Environment Agency’s overarching objective to identify how its regulatory role interfaces with each energy storage technology and where risks from these emerging technologies may be co-regulated.