| Client | Department for Energy Security and Net Zero |
| Project | StrataStore Cheshire Energy Storage Centre Study |
| Sector | Resource Infrastructure |
| Services | FEL2a – Concept Select |
| Location | United Kingdom |
Objective
The StrataStore consortium, led by io consulting in collaboration with Hydrostor and EDF Energy, aimed to assess the feasibility of an Advanced Compressed Air Energy Storage (A-CAES) system at the Hole House site in Cheshire, UK, utilising mothballed gas cavities. The study focused on de-risking the technology, evaluating economic viability, and outlining a development roadmap for both a 5MW test-scale plant, which could power more than 8,000 homes, and a 100MW full-scale facility. (image courtesy of Hydrostor Inc.)
Project Scope
The project was conducted under the UK Government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) Long Duration Energy Storage (LODES) competition and included:
- Technical Feasibility: Design a 5MW First of A Kind (FOAK) isochoric A-CAES demonstrator for investment decision readiness and a 100MW+ isochoric facility design to address technical risks and resolve key decisions.
- Economic Modelling: Assessing revenue streams from UK electricity markets.
- Site Assessment: Evaluating subsurface conditions, grid connection, and planning permissions.
- Risk Mitigation: Identifying barriers to commercialisation, including regulatory and market constraints.
Findings & Recommendations
The StrataStore Cheshire Energy Storage Centre Study assessed the feasibility of deploying Advanced Compressed Air Energy Storage (A-CAES) technology within the UK energy infrastructure landscape, with a focus on technical integration, commercial viability and future scalability.
The study evaluated a range of technical, commercial and regulatory considerations to support future project development and long-duration energy storage deployment within the UK market.
Key outcomes from the study included:
- Validation of the overall technical concept and assessment of integration approaches for large-scale long-duration energy storage infrastructure.
- Evaluation of subsurface storage suitability, infrastructure interfaces and system integration considerations relevant to future deployment.
- Assessment of market conditions and commercial frameworks impacting long-duration energy storage investment and project viability.
- Identification of development, permitting and stakeholder engagement considerations associated with major energy infrastructure projects.
- Review of strategic pathways to support phased project progression, future scalability and operational resilience.
- Establishment of a structured development basis to support future engineering, investment and deployment activities.
The study highlighted the importance of aligning technical development, commercial frameworks and regulatory pathways to enable successful deployment of long-duration energy storage solutions within evolving energy markets.
io Value Add
io consulting played a critical role in optimising the project by:
- Technical Leadership: io consulting provided a robust project development framework, integrating FEED and PreFEED methodologies to de-risk the project.
- Dynamic Performance Modelling: Developed a system model, using io’s emerge tool, to accurately model operational performance, responsive to market actions and confirm round-trip-efficiency.
- Strategic Roadmap: Developed a clear next-step strategy, prioritising full-scale plant progression while navigating regulatory and financial barriers.
The study confirmed the technical feasibility of A-CAES at Hole House but highlighted economic and regulatory hurdles. While the test-scale plant will not proceed due to financial constraints, full scale A-CAES LODES deployment across the UK remains a priority, contingent on market reforms and policy support.
io consulting’s strategic approach ensured that the project is well-positioned to capitalise on emerging opportunities in the UK’s transition to net-zero.
