In 2021, Acorn submitted a bid as the T&S system for the Scottish Cluster into Track-1 of the UK Government’s Cluster Sequencing competition and was successful in securing Track-1 reserve status. 

The project continued to engage with government as the Reserve Cluster, with both the T&S and CO2 capture projects in the Scottish Cluster continuing their technical development.

On 30th March 2023, Track-2 of the UK Government’s Cluster Sequencing competition was launched with the purpose of advancing two further T&S systems and capturing and storing an additional 10 million tonnes (Mt) of CO2 per year by 2030.

In July 2023, Acorn was identified as one of two T&S systems best placed to deliver on these ambitions.