Working paper
Insight to Action Accelerator on Long Duration Electricity Storage (LDES) and Low Carbon Dispatchable Power (LCDP)
26 June 2026
New funding has been made available through Innovate UK to support the development of ultra long duration battery energy storage demonstrators in the UK.
The funding, which will invest up to £3 million in the first phase, and at least £10 million in the second phase, will support the delivery of electrochemical ultra long duration energy storage and the development and delivery of large scale ULDES demonstrators.
The funding follows a UKERC report, commissioned by UKRI, that sought to answer key questions on which long duration electricity storage (LDES) and low carbon dispatchable power (LCDP) technologies can be delivered by 2030/2035 in the UK.
Dr Jamie Speirs of the University of Strathclyde, Co-Director of UKERC 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. Investing in innovation opportunities such as this call to support market deployment of LDES technologies is a key way to support these technologies to market, giving us the best chance to meet our net zero targets.”
Professor Rob Gross, Director of UKERC, and Professor at Imperial College London, said: “Delivering a secure, affordable and decarbonised electricity system will require innovation across a range of technologies, and the development of significant new sources of flexibility. Our analysis helps inform options to accelerate deployment of Long Duration Energy Storage. Unlocking that potential will require targeted innovation to overcome technical, commercial and system integration challenges. This funding will support innovation in novel energy storage solutions, helping build the evidence base, capability and infrastructure required for clean power.”
The first phase of the funding is open to UK registered businesses until Wednesday 30 September 2026. Each funding request must be between £350,000-£700,000.