Funding for long duration energy storage projects

Up to £13m of funding is being made available to support the development of ultra long duration battery energy storage demonstrators in the UK.

The funding, which will invest up to £3m in the first phase, and at least £10m in the second phase, follows the findings of a report by the UK Energy Research Council into which long duration electricity storage and low carbon dispatchable power technologies could be delivered by 2030/2035. The first phase of the funding is open until 30 September.

Dr Jamie Speirs of the University of Strathclyde, and lead author of the report, said: “Achieving the UK’s low carbon ambitions will hinge not just on deploying record levels of renewable generation, but on unlocking Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) to support a highly renewable electricity system.

“By providing flexibility across hours, days and even seasons, LDES could enable a resilient, low carbon electricity system – reducing curtailment, strengthening security of supply, and ensuring that intermittent renewables can maximise their contribution to the grid in all conditions.”