The Role of Long-Duration Energy Storage in Decarbonisation

On December 9, 2024, the “Introduction to Long Duration Energy Storage: A Crucial Enabler of the Energy Transition” webinar, co-hosted by the LDES Council, Dii Desert Energy, and the EU-funded MED-GEM Network, explored the essential role of Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) in global decarbonisation. Featuring industry leaders like Julia Souder and Frank Wouters, the event highlighted LDES as a key solution for balancing renewable energy supply and demand. Discussions centred on scalability, policy enablers, and real-world applications, aiming to accelerate the deployment of 1.5 terawatts of LDES by 2030 and unlock its $4 trillion market potential.

🎥 Watch the Webinar   | 📂 Access the Keynotes | 📄 Agenda

Understanding Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES)

Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES) encompasses diverse technologies—chemical, thermal, mechanical, and electrochemical—that store energy for durations exceeding eight hours. As highlighted in the recent webinar hosted by the LDES Council, these systems are pivotal for balancing energy supply and demand during seasonal variations. Frank Wouters emphasized the urgency of scaling LDES, stating, “These fundamental changes to how we deal with energy in our daily lives cannot be done by governments alone, nor by the private sector; it really is a joined-up approach.” Innovations like Magaldi’s sand-based thermal storage, capable of operating at temperatures up to 1,000°C, showcase how LDES can transform industrial applications and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Key Challenges and Strategic Pathways

Scaling LDES requires overcoming significant challenges, including financing, regulatory support, and public awareness. Julia Souder, Chair of the LDES Council, remarked, “We need to scale 50 times faster. This is a large number, but it is doable because every country sees the need to address their economy and industrial components in this energy transition.” Experts highlighted the importance of regulatory frameworks providing long-term revenue stability. Upma Koul added, “There is no market access for LDES today…we need secured and stable long-term revenue mechanisms to incentives investment.” Partnerships between governments, private sectors, and innovators will be crucial to address technology gaps and ensure scalability. Hydrogen storage projects, for instance, demonstrate how LDES can integrate seamlessly with renewable energy grids while decarbonizing industrial processes.

A Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, the deployment of LDES must accelerate to meet the demand for renewable energy integration and energy security. The council’s annual report projects annual economic benefits of $540 billion by 2040 if eight terawatts of LDES are deployed globally. Massimiliano Masi of Magaldi Green Energy highlighted the role of innovation, saying, “By using innovative materials like sand, we can achieve negligible energy losses and maintain high storage temperatures for days or even weeks.” Frank Wouters also emphasized the role of AI and advanced technologies in driving this transition, stating, “AI is a massive driver for additional capacity of electricity and can accelerate system design and implementation.” Collaboration among policymakers, industry leaders, and local communities will remain key to achieving these ambitious goals.