Energy Storage - An Energy Data Centre Introductory Guide
In this topic the guide covers Government Direction, Solution Types and Research and Innovation. Below the document there is a selection of dynamically generated content from the EDC and other sources showing current and recently finished research activities.
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Abstract
This guide introduces the principles and evolving role of energy storage in the UK's transition to low-carbon energy systems. It outlines the shift away from fossil fuels - where storage was embedded in fuels like coal and gas - toward variable renewable energy sources, which require more dynamic and diverse forms of flexibility. Energy storage emerges as a critical enabler of system stability, helping to balance supply and demand across short, medium, and long timescales. The document highlights governmental strategies from national to local levels, with the UK Government leading investment in long-duration storage and technologies like carbon capture, while devolved administrations focus on regional solutions such as pumped hydro and hydrogen systems. It categorises storage technologies by discharge duration, ranging from supercapacitors and batteries to thermal storage, compressed air, flow batteries, and inter-seasonal hydrogen storage. Research and innovation efforts span technical, economic, and whole-system domains, emphasizing the need for multidisciplinary approaches to optimize energy storage deployment and policy alignment. Overall, the guide positions energy storage as a cornerstone of net zero strategy - enhancing resilience, enabling flexibility, and supporting equitable, decentralised participation in the future energy system.At a glance
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ARI Topics assigned to Energy Storage - An Energy Data Centre Introductory Guide
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nuclear powersolar powergeothermal powerwind powerhydroelectric powernatural gasbiofuelcoalalternative energyrenewable energyenergy marketenergy resourceselectricity production and distributionutilitiesinfrastructure projects
ARI Fields assigned to Energy Storage - An Energy Data Centre Introductory Guide
Research fields are also categories picked from a taxonomy, but here the taxonomy is a scholarly one. They reflect the academic subjects relevant to each ARI.
nuclear and plasma physicsenvironmental sciencesclimate change impacts and adaptationdata storagedata utilizationbattery technologypower consumptioncarbon neutralcarbon efficiencysustainabilitymobilityautonomous systemsenvironmental awarenessnet zero commitmentsclimate changeenvironmental engineeringenvironmental managementresources engineering and extractive metallurgyecologypollution and contaminationatmospheric sciencesphysical geography and environmental geosciencehydrologygeochemistryenvironmental biotechnologysoil sciencesforestry sciencesinorganic chemistrymacromolecular and materials chemistry
References
- Climate Change Committee, Delivering a reliable decarbonised power system, Climate Change Committee, 2023.
- Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener, DESNZ, 2021.
- Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener, DESNZ, 2024.
- Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Strategic Spatial Energy Plan: Commission to the National Energy System Operator, DESNZ, 2024.
- European Commission, Energy Storage â Underpinning a decarbonised and secure EU energy system, EC, 2023.
- National Grid Electricity System Operator NESO, Future Energy Scenarios: ESO Pathways to Net Zero, NESO, 2024.
- Northern Ireland Executive - Department for the Economy, Energy Strategy - The Path to Net Zero Energy, Northern Ireland Executive - DfE, 2021.
- Scottish Government, Scottish Energy Strategy: The Future of Energy in Scotland, Scottish Government, 2017.
- The Royal Society, Large-scale electricity storage, TRS, 2023.
- Welsh Government, Hydrogen policy, Welsh Government, 2025.
