Longer Duration Energy Storage Demonstration Programme, Stream 2 Phase 2: details of successful projects
Updated 12 April 2023
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Stream 2 aims to accelerate commercialisation of innovative longer duration energy storage projects through to first-of-a-kind (FOAK) full-system prototypes. Feasibility studies were completed in Phase 1, with 7 projects now selected to progress to Phase 2 where they will build and demonstrate the technology prototype.
The following 7 projects have received funding for Stream 2, Phase 2.
Thermal energy storage
Project Name: EXTEND
Led by: Sunamp Ltd
Funding received: £9,245,261
Project EXTEND assessed an increase of storage duration and capacity of Sunamp’s thermal batteries, combining the thermal storage system and its smart heating controller with household energy systems to tackle periods of low renewables generation on the grid. Phase 2 will develop, build and trial the EXTEND solution in 100 homes across the UK, evaluating the effects a fleet of EXTEND thermal storage systems would have if a large number of them was deployed onto a specific area of the network.
Project Name: ADSorB
Led by: The University of Sheffield
Funding received: £2,595,571
The ADSorB project focuses on the development of innovative long duration thermal storage technologies and associated intelligent control systems. The modular systems developed within the project will enable optimised, flexible storage of heat within homes, providing benefits for both the occupant and grid. Phase 2 will continue the development of the modular thermal energy stores and the control software and hardware, with prototype energy systems to be manufactured and deployed at the Creative Energy Homes campus at the University of Nottingham, enabling practical demonstration within lived-in homes.
Power-to-X energy storage
Project Name: HyDUS
Led by: EDF R&D UK
Funding received: £7,733,821
The HyDUS (Hydrogen Depleted Uranium Storage) project has adapted and applied Metal Hydride storage from established fusion technology to safely store large quantities of Hydrogen for long periods. In Phase 2, EDF R&D UK will partner with the University of Bristol, UKAEA and Urenco to develop a full cycle, modular and low-cost bulk hydrogen energy storage demonstrator.
Electrical energy storage
Project Name: Sustainable Single Liquid Flow Battery
Led by: StorTera
Funding received: £5,019,402
StorTera has developed a sustainable, highly efficient, and highly energy dense lithium sulphur based single liquid flow battery (SLIQ) technology. In Phase 2, StorTera will manufacture a prototype SLIQ that utilises a novel cylindrical cell architecture in a modular format to optimise the manufacture, installation and maintenance of the system. With a focus on sustainability, the SLIQ will utilise recyclable materials and by-products of the wood industry. Towards the end of Phase 2, eight modular units will be combined to build a 200kW/1.6MWh first of a kind demonstrator SLIQ that will be installed at Midlothian Innovation Centre outside Edinburgh.
Project Name: High-Density Hydro® Energy Storage
Led by: RheEnergise
Funding received: £8,242,965
RheEnergise has developed High-Density Hydro® (HDH), a cost optimised energy storage solution to create stable, dispatchable power grids from ultra-low-cost renewable energy. During Phase 2, HDH will go through several R&D iterations culminating in the deployment of a 250kW/1MWh (4 hours) first-of-a-kind demonstrator with full subsystem functionality.
Project Name: PTES (Pumped Thermal Energy Storage) Demonstrator
Led by: SynchroStor
Funding received: £9,439,302
The SynchroStor Pumped Thermal Energy Storage (PTES) system converts electricity into heat, stores the heat in low-cost, non-toxic sustainable materials and, by reversing the process, converts it back into electricity when required. High efficiency is achieved using innovative heat pump and heat exchanger technology which enables long duration, cost effective energy storage. PTES has a small footprint and no geographical restrictions and provides instantaneous response to grid needs whilst supporting overall grid stability using synchronous generators. The goal of SynchroStor’s Phase 2 project is a grid-connected megawatt-scale PTES demonstration system with 10 hours of storage.
Project Name: FlexiTanker
Led by: Cheesecake Energy Ltd
Funding received: £9,447,225
The FlexiTanker technology stores electricity using a combination of thermal and compressed air energy storage (CAES) and uses a reversible air compression/expansion train to charge and discharge. Phase 2 will involve testing the demonstrator at the company’s site in Nottingham, followed by installation of pilot units at two sites within a microgrid development in Colchester. The microgrid will be co-located with up to 8 MW of solar PV, helping the site residents to maximise their use of the onsite solar, and the development will also have a district heating network with a central heat pump.