SET-IT
Subsurface Energy Transition – Integrated Technologies
Heriot-Watt University's interdisciplinary research centre turning the subsurface into a practical engine of the net-zero economy.
Subsurface Energy Transition – Integrated Technologies
Heriot-Watt University's interdisciplinary research centre turning the subsurface into a practical engine of the net-zero economy.
SET-IT is a vibrant, interdisciplinary research community at Heriot-Watt University dedicated to accelerating the global energy transition through world-class subsurface science and engineering.
We integrate expertise across geology, geophysics, geomechanics, geochemistry, reservoir engineering, data science and artificial intelligence to deliver science-led, technology-enabled solutions for the responsible use of the subsurface — from permanent CO₂ storage and hydrogen energy storage to geothermal heat and critical-mineral recovery.
Our research spans the full range from fundamental pore-scale processes to basin-scale reservoir management, bridging technology readiness levels 2 through 7. We collaborate closely with industry, government and international partners to translate discovery into deployment.
To be a world-class, inclusive research centre integrating geoscience and engineering to advance understanding of the subsurface and develop tools to measure and model subsurface processes — enabling safe, efficient and large-scale carbon and energy storage necessary for achieving net-zero emissions.
To make the Earth's subsurface a trusted, sustainable and scalable solution for net-zero — storing carbon and energy, supplying clean heat and resources, and doing so safely, ethically and inclusively for the benefit of society.
Tightly focused purpose, end-to-end integration from pore to policy, a multi-commodity view of the subsurface, the North Sea as our test-bed with global reach, and a culture explicitly designed for collaboration across disciplines and institutions.
Our research addresses the full spectrum of subsurface challenges for the energy transition, integrating geoscience, engineering and AI across scales.
Advancing permanent CO₂ sequestration through reservoir characterisation, multiphase flow modelling, seal integrity assessment and AI-enhanced digital twins of storage reservoirs.
Investigating enhanced geothermal systems, fracture mechanics and heat flow in subsurface reservoirs to unlock low-carbon heat for communities and industry.
Studying underground hydrogen storage in depleted reservoirs and salt caverns, addressing fluid-rock interactions, time-dependent deformation and permeability evolution.
Mapping energy-critical mineral distributions through sedimentary provenance analysis and advanced characterisation to support sustainable resource exploration.
Assessing geological repositories for safe long-term radioactive waste storage, studying coupled geochemical and geomechanical processes in deep formations.
Developing scientific machine learning methods — deep learning, reinforcement learning and generative models — for uncertainty quantification, flow simulation and reservoir optimisation.
Multi-physics, multi-scale reactive transport and heat modelling from pore to reservoir scale, stochastic geological modelling and history matching for subsurface predictions.
Studying fugitive gas migration, groundwater impacts, wellbore integrity, and greenhouse gas emissions to ensure environmentally safe geoenergy operations.
SET-IT brings together a diverse team of researchers across disciplines, career stages and institutions within Heriot-Watt University.
Scientific machine learning, uncertainty quantification, AI for reservoir management and CO₂ storage optimisation.
Coupled thermo-hydro-chemical-mechanical processes for CCS, geothermal energy and subsurface storage at lab to field scales.
Physics and mathematics of multiphase flow and transport in porous media for carbon storage and geothermal applications.
Tectonics, palaeoceanography, sediment routing and storage site characterisation. Discoverer of the Nadir Crater impact structure.
Experimental imaging and characterisation of porous materials using micro-CT, synchrotron tomography for CO₂ and H₂ storage.
Reservoir characterisation, stochastic geological modelling, uncertainty quantification and machine learning for subsurface predictions.
Pore-scale fluid mechanics, GeoChemFoam simulator, micro-CT and synchrotron imaging for CO₂ and hydrogen storage research.
Environmental impacts of geoenergy, subsurface gas migration, groundwater quality and wellbore integrity assessment.
Southeast Asian geology, sedimentary provenance, energy-critical mineral distribution and sustainable resource exploration.
Rock mechanics, petrophysics and geomechanics for geothermal energy (EGS), CCUS and fracture flow in subsurface reservoirs.
Micro-mechanics of damage localisation, 4D X-ray tomographic imaging of rock deformation, fracture physics for geothermal and storage.
Subsurface energy systems and hydrogen storage research.
Centre operations, strategic planning and coordination of SET-IT activities and events.
Funding strategy, proposal development and industry partnership coordination.
Recent work from SET-IT members spanning pore-scale modelling, reservoir engineering, geomechanics and environmental monitoring.
Geophysical Research Letters, Vol. 52
arXiv preprint
Gas Science and Engineering, Vol. 143
Scientific Data
Journal of Structural Geology, Vol. 196
Journal of the Royal Society Interface, Vol. 22
Physics of Fluids
Communications Earth & Environment (Nature)
Gondwana Research, Vol. 134, pp. 298–325
Monthly strategic board meeting to review progress, discuss research proposals and plan community activities.
Official launch of the SET-IT centre, bringing together members, collaborators and university leadership.
Hands-on community building event showcasing experimental facilities and cross-disciplinary techniques.
Community field trip to iconic Scottish geological sites, building connections through shared geoscience experiences.
Professional development workshop supporting career progression at all levels within the centre.
Whether you're an industry partner, funder, fellow researcher, or prospective student, we'd love to hear from you. SET-IT offers a single front door to Heriot-Watt's subsurface energy transition expertise.
SET-IT welcomes membership applications from permanent academic staff at Heriot-Watt University. Postdoctoral researchers and PhD students supervised by SET-IT members are automatically part of our community.
Explore collaborative research, joint industry projects (JIPs), and consultancy opportunities across our research themes.
Join a supportive, interdisciplinary research community. We offer PhD and EngD positions across all our research areas.
Propose joint projects, visiting positions or shared proposals. We actively seek cross-institutional partnerships.
Access credible science and evidence to inform policy, regulation and investment in subsurface energy technologies.