Ultra Long Duration Energy Storage (uLDES) – Competition

Overview

Join our online briefing session and surgery session for an overview of the Ultra Long Duration Energy Storage competition, including the scope, eligibility, timelines, application process and the types of project development studies that are eligible for funding.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) will invest up to £3 million through this competition, delivered as part of the UKRI R&D Missions Accelerator Programme, to support project development studies into the development of electrochemical ultra long duration energy storage technologies.

The aim of this competition is to support feasibility studies that accelerate the development, scale up and future deployment of electrochemical ultra long duration energy storage technologies. Projects must demonstrate a credible route to delivering cost effective electricity to the UK grid for durations of 100 hours or more, with technologies capable of supporting UK manufacture and long-term operational deployment. 

Recognising that current electrochemical ULDES technologies are not yet technologically mature or cost-competitive with gas, this competition is the first phase in a two-phase process to provide public research and innovation funding to establish at least two demonstrator projects in the UK by 2031. At least £13 million of funding has been allocated up to 2030, of which £3 million is available under Phase 1.

About these events  

These events are designed to help potential applicants understand the competition scope, eligibility requirements, funding opportunity and application process. They will also provide space for questions and discussion, helping organisations decide whether the competition is a good fit for their technology, project idea and potential consortium. 

Participants will have opportunities to:

• Understand the competition scope and priorities, including the focus on electrochemical ultra long duration energy storage, 100 hours or more of electricity delivery, expected working life, scale up, UK manufacture and routes to deployment
• Connect with potential collaborators across sectors and disciplines
• Gain practical insight to help shape a strong, well-positioned application 

Who should attend? 

This event is aimed at organisations considering applying to the Ultra Long Duration Energy Storage (uLDES) competition and looking to understand whether their technology, project idea and organisation are aligned with the scope. 

This includes: 

• Businesses developing innovative electrochemical energy storage solutions capable of delivering electricity for 100 hours or more 
• Technology developers and solution providers 
• Researchers and academic organisations 

Attendance is not mandatory and will not influence funding decisions, but the events are designed to help applicants understand the competition scope, test whether their project is well aligned, and prepare a stronger application. 

Key dates 

Online briefing event: 7th August 11am – 12noon 

The briefing will cover the competition scope, eligibility, funding available, key dates and application process. It will also explain the two competition themes: near-commercial scale up, and system innovation and low-cost pathways. 

Online Surgery: 27th Aug 1:30pm - 3pm 

Come along to this informal ‘drop-in’ surgery to ask any questions you may have about your application. (Not recorded) 

Event details

WHEN

WHERE

Online via Teams

PLANNER