Clean Energy Superpower Mission (CESM) R&D Missions Accelerator Programme (R&D MAP)

Abstract:

This is the Final report for the Insight to Action Accelerator on long duration electricity storage (LDES) and low carbon dispatchable power (LCDP).

This report reviews evidence on long duration electricity storage (LDES) and low carbon dispatchable power (LCDP) technologies that could be prioritised for innovation funding and delivery by 2030/2035. The evidence was reviewed through the following activities:

The combined process of Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) and expert elicitation gave rise to longlists of options for LDES and LCDP, respectively, which were then subject to analysis against key criteria:

Five LDES and five LCDP technologies/technology groups were identified as the most promising for accelerated innovation into the electricity market by 2030-2035. In the long-term, the UK energy system would benefit from both LDES and LCDP technologies delivered at scale. The technical benefits of LCDP are often underappreciated, as these technologies can provide low carbon generation that can support system balancing, especially for intensive industrial uses. Having the capacity to deliver LCDP at scale and in the right locations may allow industrial decarbonisation by replacing some of the flexibility currently provided by natural gas. LDES also offers important system affordances for the overall grid by shifting electricity across multiple hours, days or longer periods, helping to absorb surplus renewable generation and release it when wind and solar output are low, thereby strengthening flexibility and resilience in a high-renewables system.

The report also presents research and innovation opportunities and barriers, as well as risks associated with technology choices.

This research was co-created by UKERC, the Energy Systems Catapult and funded by UKRI through Clean Energy Superpower Mission (CESM) R&D Missions Accelerator Programme.

Publication Year:

2026

Publisher:

UKERC

DOI:

No DOI minted

Author(s):

Agyeman, S., Drabble, D., Speirs, J., Tskhay, A., Hanna, R., Gross, R., Chaudry, M., He, R., Wu, J., Adesina, P., Taylor, P., Buckman, A., Jones, S., Kerr, R., Knight, A., Madge, R., Ortega, P. and Tuff, G.