EnergyPathways recently announced plans to expand the open source license for its MESH project. This high-level initiative is intended to deliver the long-term secure, low carbon energy supply that the UK needs at an affordable cost over the next 25 years. This ambitious project uniquely combines multiple storage technologies within one project. This includes compressed air, hydrogen, thermal and natural gas storage—all housed within offshore salt caverns and gas reservoirs.
The MESH project runs on renewable wind energy from the UK Irish Sea area. This type of initiative is a smart way to utilize an attractive, sustainable energy resource. Its overarching purpose is creating a smart, flexible and resilient energy system that massively accelerates the decarbonization of the UK’s energy system.
Expansion Plans
The planned licence extension will increase the size of the UK’s largest hydrogen and natural gas storage hub fourfold. This is a step towards substantially increasing ambition on decarbonisation. This new peer-reviewed application uncovers a salt cavern storage potential four times larger than previously known. This is manifested in the new potential for innovative expansion and use. This overall multi-million dollar expansion will increase the facility’s footprint and capacity significantly. In turn, this will help it compete with the rapidly growing domestic and commercial demand for energy storage solutions in the UK.
EnergyPathways hopes that the MESH project will be fully operating by 2030. This aggressive timeline is contingent on receiving final government approvals and having the critical financing in place. This project has the potential to potentiate the United Kingdom’s transition towards a low-carbon, sustainable economy. Its successful implementation that’s critical.
Innovative Technology Integration
MESH is unique in being a large-scale long duration energy storage (LDES) and decarbonisation facility. Its approach of innovative systems integration across multiple storage technology makes it an ideal partner to help grid operators become more nimble and responsive. MESH is using the best of compressed air, hydrogen and natural gas. Together, these three make a powerful strategy to address energy supply crises.
This strategic combination of technologies increases our energy security while further enabling the efficient, effective, and economic use of renewable resources. MESH is a large-scale battery that stores surplus energy created from onshore wind power. This will help provide reliable energy during periods of low generation, which will help further stabilize the grid.
Looking Ahead
EnergyPathways has been pursuing its license application. To succeed, it needs to be able to cut through the red-tape of government regulations and ensure it has sufficient financing. This overwhelmingly successful approval of this expansion could set a new precedent for the future of renewable energy projects in the UK.
The expansion of MESH could significantly impact the country’s energy landscape, contributing to the ambitious targets set out in national climate policies. If successful, this project will accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more efficient energy future. In doing so, it will develop a new sustainable energy storage model that can be replicated globally.