UK government gathering information on long-duration energy storage

July 22, 2021
LinkedIn
Twitter
Reddit
Facebook
Email
BEIS innovation project leader Sally Fenton appearing at a (pre-pandemic) event hosted in London by our publisher, Solar Media. Image: Solar Media.

A process of gathering information, evidence and analysis on long-duration energy storage technologies and the role they could play in the UK’s energy system has begun, launched by the government Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

A long-duration energy storage call for evidence was the final document in a deluge of policy papers released by the UK government on 20 July.

Examining the barriers in the current market, how they might be addressed and the risks associated with potential interventions, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is to use the information to help it establish the need for large-scale long-duration electricity storage (LLES), collect evidence on the potential pipeline of storage projects, determine the case for intervention and consider the sort of mechanism that would be appropriate.

Describing electricity storage as an “essential” source of low carbon flexibility that currently faces barriers limiting its deployment, BEIS said its own analysis shows around 30GW of short duration storage and flexible demand alone may be needed in 2050, however this does not include longer duration storage.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

It defines LLES projects as being able to store and discharge energy for over 4 hours, and up to days, weeks and months, and deliver power of at least 100MW when required. This definition is one of the elements it is seeking views on.

It is also seeking views on whether the electricity system requires and will benefit from LLES delivering a range of services including providing stability services, providing storage over different durations, supporting network constraints and reducing the need for additional low carbon generation by better utilising existing sources of renewable generation.

Whether there will be a need for a range of different LLES technologies is also an area being looked at in the call for evidence.

To read the full version of this story, visit Current±.

13 October 2026
London, UK
Now in its second edition, the Summit provides a dedicated platform for UK & Ireland’s BESS community to share practical insights on performance, degradation, safety, market design and optimisation strategies. As storage deployment accelerates towards 2030 targets, attendees gain the tools needed to enhance returns and operate resilient, efficient assets.

Read Next

March 6, 2026
The Australian government is reportedly exploring additional modifications to its Cheaper Home Batteries Program, including the possibility of an early wind-up, as the government seeks budget savings ahead of the May federal budget.
Premium
March 5, 2026
In this second part of our interview with Wood Mackenzie energy storage analysts, we look at risk factors and mitigation across the European and US markets.
Premium
March 4, 2026
We heard from Danske Commodities’ principal originator Rimshah Javed at the Energy Storage Summit 2026, to discuss trends in BESS offtake, optimisation, FCAs in Germany and the Danish market. The latter has taken off in the past year.
March 3, 2026
3.6GWh of solar-plus-storage developments have progressed in Australia this week, with Edify Energy partnering with DT Infrastructure and Flow Power acquiring a 60MW project.
March 3, 2026
A second-round auction in the UK for grid stability services, including inertia, concluded without any wins for grid-forming battery energy storage system (BESS) projects.