Call for Expressions of Interest: Environmental and Economic Impacts of Inter-Seasonal Long-Duration Energy Storage

12 Aug 2025

The UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) is inviting Expressions of Interest (EoIs) to conduct research on long-duration energy storage.

The authors of the successful EoI will be invited to co-create, along with UKERC’s Director and research theme leaders, the details of a research proposal that would form part of UKERC’s research programme on Operating a Highly Renewable and Largely Electrified Energy System, working in collaboration with other UKERC research programmes on Responsive Research, Affordability, Justice and Economic Impact, Delivering Energy Infrastructure and the Public Engagement Observatory.

The co-created research, led by the authors of the selected EoI and conducted by their teams, should start no later than 30 March 2026, and should conclude by 30 June 2028. The maximum budget available for the research is £312,500 at 100% Full Economic Cost (FEC), i.e. £250,000 at 80% FEC.

What We’re Looking For

The successful project will advance understanding of how large-scale, inter-seasonal LDES technologies affect both the environment and the economy across their full lifecycle, from siting and resource use, to operation, decommissioning, and integration into the UK energy system.

We anticipate proposals will explore some or all of:

  • Lifecycle sustainability and environmental impact
  • Investment proposition and system value of inter-seasonal LDES
  • Policy, regulatory, and social dimensions

Who Can Apply

The call is open to researchers based at UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), Research Council Institutes, and UKRI-approved Independent Research Organisations. While non-eligible organisations (e.g. industry, NGOs, local authorities) cannot apply for funding, they are encouraged to participate as project partners.

What to Expect

Successful applicants will become full members of the UKERC consortium, with access to a national network of energy researchers and opportunities to contribute to UKERC events, outputs, and policy engagement.

When to Apply

We welcome Expressions of Interest from the week commencing 11 August 2025. The deadline for submission is 17:00 on 26 September 2025. Applications should address specified research questions, describe relevant team experience and EDI commitments, and outline intended impacts and project budget.

Download the full guidance document
Complete and submit your Expression of Interest using this form

Please submit this completed form to ukerc@imperial.ac.uk, according to the instructions specified in the relevant call document.

Please note: This is one of four calls for Expressions of Interest UKERC are being launched over the summer. Stay tuned for further opportunities to contribute to UKERC’s national research programme on the energy transition.