£28 million to store clean power for days
The UK government launched the Ultra-Long Duration Energy Storage Challenge on 20 August 2026. Backed by £28 million from UK Research and Innovation, the fund forms part of a wider £102 million clean-energy package. Innovators are asked to develop ways to keep electricity from wind and solar for 100 hours or longer, including advanced batteries and underground hydrogen stores.
Science Minister Chris McDonald stated, "When we unlock the potential of science and innovation, it can improve all of our lives." Energy Minister Michael Shanks emphasised that "Homegrown clean energy is our route to more affordable bills and energy security and storing it for when we need it most is critical."
Why the grid needs it
Wind and solar already offer the cheapest electricity, yet both stop when the weather changes. At those times the system often falls back on gas, pushing costs and emissions higher. Longer-duration storage would let excess clean power be saved and released later, cutting exposure to volatile fossil-fuel prices and helping keep the National Grid stable.
What it could mean for households
Large-scale projects will take time, but the same storage principle already works at home. A Cotswolds family recently cut bills to £9 a month by pairing solar, a battery and a smart tariff. Homeowners who add batteries can charge them at cheap off-peak rates or from their own panels, then use or export the power when prices peak.
We compare energy tariffs that reward exactly this behaviour at Gas electricity. The new challenge shows the government is serious about making clean power reliable year-round; the practical step for most households is still to check whether a battery-friendly tariff fits their usage.
