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Durham Energy Institute

Durham Energy Institute connects researchers, communities, industry and policymakers to accelerate clean, fair and inclusive energy transitions.
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Welcome to Durham Energy Institute

Decarbonising energy is one of the biggest global challenges of our time.

Durham Energy Institute works across the energy sector to connect expertise and broker research partnerships. We provide an independent hub for evidence-led energy transitions that are technically and economically viable, socially acceptable, and environmentally sustainable. Through research, training, and outreach, we collaborate to address key energy challenges. We build the capacity, trust, and networks needed for decisions that integrate diverse perspectives and expertise.
Find out more about us
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Discover

  • Rethinking the North Sea as a national hydrogen reserve

    Depleted North Sea oil and gas fields could store enough green hydrogen to meet electricity needs for years. Our modelling shows how renewables, hydrogen production, and geological storage can work together to create long-term reserves.

     

     

    Hydrogen Research Paper

  • Powering the Future: Ammonia as a Clean Fuel

    Green ammonia could help decarbonise shipping by replacing fossil fuels. Produced using renewable energy, it offers a low‑carbon option but requires investment in supply, infrastructure, and safety measures to enable widespread, safe adoption.

     

    Ammonia Policy Brief Cover

Rethinking the North Sea as a national hydrogen reserve

Depleted North Sea oil and gas fields could store enough green hydrogen to meet electricity needs for years. Our modelling shows how renewables, hydrogen production, and geological storage can work together to create long-term reserves.

 

 

Hydrogen Research Paper

Powering the Future: Ammonia as a Clean Fuel

Green ammonia could help decarbonise shipping by replacing fossil fuels. Produced using renewable energy, it offers a low‑carbon option but requires investment in supply, infrastructure, and safety measures to enable widespread, safe adoption.

 

Ammonia Policy Brief Cover
Energy Day poster

DEI Energy Day Conference 2026: Safe and Sound: Energy Security, Innovation and Communities

DEI’s Energy Day, held at Redhills on 5 November, explores energy security amid geopolitical shocks, rising demand and climate impacts. Bringing together academia, industry, policy and communities, it showcases resilient, fair energy solutions to cut emissions and support all communities.

Read more here Register here

Energy Institute News

  • Empty North Sea oil fields could store enough green hydrogen to power the country for seven years

    The UK could store enough green hydrogen in depleted North Sea oil and gas fields to meet the country’s future electricity demands for seven years. The researchers behind this discovery, Professor Stuart Jones, Professor Chris Groves, and Associate Professor in Practice Dr Andrew Crossland, tell us how using the depleted fields for hydrogen storage could take conventional gas power stations off the grid altogether by 2040.
    Global research
    A photograph of an oil and gas rig in the North Sea, against a blue and yellow sky at dusk.

  • Durham Energy Institute welcomes Maggie Bosanquet and Ross Forbes as Professors in Practice

    Durham Energy Institute (DEI) is delighted to welcome two highly respected regional figures, Maggie Bosanquet and Ross Forbes, as Professors in Practice, bringing decades of expertise in net zero, energy policy, communications, public affairs and regional engagement to the Institute.
    Research news
    People in graduation gowns

  • DEI Fellows Promoted to Professorship in the Department of Engineering

    DEI congratulates Fellows Behzad Kazemtabrizi and Mahmoud Shahbazi on their promotion to Professor in the Department of Engineering at Durham University. These well-deserved promotions recognise their outstanding contributions to research, education, leadership, and the advancement of sustainable energy systems.
    Research news
    2 men

Empty North Sea oil fields could store enough green hydrogen to power the country for seven years

The UK could store enough green hydrogen in depleted North Sea oil and gas fields to meet the country’s future electricity demands for seven years. The researchers behind this discovery, Professor Stuart Jones, Professor Chris Groves, and Associate Professor in Practice Dr Andrew Crossland, tell us how using the depleted fields for hydrogen storage could take conventional gas power stations off the grid altogether by 2040.

Global research
A photograph of an oil and gas rig in the North Sea, against a blue and yellow sky at dusk.

Durham Energy Institute welcomes Maggie Bosanquet and Ross Forbes as Professors in Practice

Durham Energy Institute (DEI) is delighted to welcome two highly respected regional figures, Maggie Bosanquet and Ross Forbes, as Professors in Practice, bringing decades of expertise in net zero, energy policy, communications, public affairs and regional engagement to the Institute.
Research news
People in graduation gowns

DEI Fellows Promoted to Professorship in the Department of Engineering

DEI congratulates Fellows Behzad Kazemtabrizi and Mahmoud Shahbazi on their promotion to Professor in the Department of Engineering at Durham University. These well-deserved promotions recognise their outstanding contributions to research, education, leadership, and the advancement of sustainable energy systems.
Research news
2 men
Read more news here

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Durham Energy Institute

Level 5

Mountjoy Centre

Durham University

Stockton Road

Durham

DH1 3UP