Powering the Net Zero Future: Why Energy Storage Is the Game Changer
- Eric Lewis
- Oct 9
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 13
Despite the benefits of renewable energy, the challenge lies in Energy storage. As the UK accelerates toward a net zero energy system, we need to develop systems that will help us to store renewable power efficiently, affordably, and at scale. At a recent Foresight webinar, experts from academia, industry, and the Energy Storage Association discussed what it will take to make grid-scale storage the backbone of a reliable, decarbonised power
system.
Professor Victor Becerra, Power Systems Engineering Professor at the University of Portsmouth, opened the discussion and highlighted that “Storage assets are essential for integrating variable renewables like wind and solar. They turn intermittent generation into a controllable resource.”
Today’s energy mix relies on short-duration systems, mainly lithium-ion batteries, that can respond in milliseconds and operate for a few hours. These are ideal for frequency control, voltage support, and shifting solar output into the evening. But the real challenge lies in long-duration storage and technologies like pumped hydro, liquid air, and hydrogen, which can balance the grid for days or even seasons.
The UK storage sector is rapidly growing, with projects such as Scotland’s Coire Glas pumped-hydro project, due around 2030, will store 30 GWh.
Meanwhile, the Aldbrough hydrogen facility in East Yorkshire aims to store up to 320 GWh, using repurposed salt caverns once used for natural gas.
Victor emphasised that the UK has around 6.8 GW of installed storage, up 500% from 2020, yet will need up to 27 GW by 2030 to support renewables expansion.
“Technology isn’t the bottleneck,” he noted. “Economics and market design are.”
Jason Howlett, CEO of the newly launched Energy Storage Association (ESA), shared how the industry has long lacked cohesive representation. “There was no single organisation connecting the dots between long-duration, geological storage and behind-the-meter systems. So, we built one.”
The ESA now brings together universities, manufacturers, and energy firms to advocate for clear policy and practical frameworks. He pointed to growing government attention: the Flexibility Roadmap and upcoming Warm Homes Plan both recognise storage as key to reducing energy poverty and stabilising the grid.
Yet, he warned, there’s still a gap in awareness, insurance, and regulation. “People are still told installing a home battery can void their house warranty. That’s absurd. We must make this technology accessible, safe, and standard.”
While lithium-ion batteries dominate short-term balancing, true resilience will depend on long-duration systems such as pumped hydro, liquid-air, and hydrogen storage. “Clean energy storage can store anything - hydrogen, solar, or heat,” Howlett said.
"We need a legislative framework that lets homes and businesses install storage freely, not one that blocks innovation.”
From an investor’s perspective, Mike Ryan, Commercial Director at Constantine Energy Storage, highlighted the tension between technology and financial viability. “You can have the best tech in the world, but if investors can’t make sense of the returns, it won’t get built.”
Ryan’s firm is developing over 1 GW of storage projects, but he noted that while the government’s Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) scheme helps, it still doesn’t provide the certainty required to attract capital at scale. He also warned that defining “long duration” as 8 hours misses the real need, multi-day or interseasonal storage.
All the speakers agreed that the lack of skilled labour in the sector is an issue,
“It's the workforce. We simply don’t have enough engineers, contractors, and commissioning specialists to deliver at the pace needed.”
The sector and the industry we needs to inspire young people that this is where the future lies as well as consider cybersecurity and grid protection techniques.
Looking ahead, the panel shared their visions for success:
“Success means hitting our storage targets and enabling long-duration storage through better value mechanisms. But time is running short.”
“We’ll regret not tackling home energy standards and cybersecurity sooner.”
“A cleaner, fairer energy system at a price consumers see as fair - that’s success. What would be a failure is ignoring long-duration storage and ending up with volatile prices.”
The UK government and industry leaders have to start looking ahead and integrating storage solutions into their design and regulations in order to speed up the net zero transition and secure the British energy landscape overall.
