DOE funds 15 projects for the development of long-duration energy storage (LDES) technologies

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced up to $325 million for 15 projects to accelerate the development of long-duration energy storage (LDES) technologies. These demonstration projects will increase community control of local power systems, mitigate risks associated with disruptions to the grid, and help communities develop reliable and affordable energy systems. These projects will help DOE realize its Long Duration Storage Shot goal of reducing the cost of LDES by 90% by 2030 and will advance critical clean energy technologies, expand the adoption of renewable energy resources, and strengthen energy security.   

Energy storage is essential for utilities and grid operators to adopt and use clean energy resources, like solar and wind, effectively and on demand. However, today's energy storage technologies must be sufficiently scaled or affordable to support the broad use of renewable energy on the grid. According to DOE's Pathways to Commercial Liftoff: LDES report, cheaper, longer, and more efficient storage is needed to meet energy demand that fluctuates throughout the day and night.

The LDES Demonstrations Program, managed by DOE’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED), funds various technology types to overcome technical and institutional barriers to full-scale deployment of LDES systems in diverse geographies and climates. Projects selected will feature a range of intraday (10 to 36 hours) and multiday (36 to 160+ hours) storage solutions, which can minimize the frequency and length of power interruptions.

A complete list of projects selected for award negotiations under the FOA, which includes projects in 17 states and one tribal nation, is available here. 

OCED will co-host a series of virtual regional briefings alongside the selected project teams to share more about the projects with community stakeholders this fall.