The four longer-duration energy storage demonstration projects will help to achieve the UK’s plan for net zero by balancing the intermittency of renewable energy, creating more options for sustainable, low-cost energy storage in the UK.
Energy will be stored as compressed air in the underground cavities at times of surplus, and then released when required to meet system demand – in a low carbon manner and while providing other system benefits, such as grid stability and flexibility services.
A consortium led by the Active Building Centre Research Programme (Swansea University) will receive £143,440 to develop innovative long duration thermal storage technologies and associated intelligent control systems to enable optimised, flexible storage of heat within homes, providing benefits for the occupant and grid.
Overall, 10% of all electricity generated will be stored in LDES at some point 2. To ensure that the UK’s net zero electricity system is resilient and secure, long-duration storage must be combined with short-duration methods, where electricity is stored on an hourly basis 3.
e-Zinc is a Toronto-based company with a breakthrough long-duration energy storage technology. The company’s zinc-based energy storage system can be up to 80 percent less expensive than comparable lithium-ion systems for long-duration applications.
The final project will explore how electricity, converted into compressed air, can be stored in EDF’s existing gas storage facilities, where EDF Thermal Generation and R&D will partner with io consulting and Hydrostor.