Background
From providing critical backup power during natural disasters to supporting more renewable energy coming online, energy storage technologies make the grid more flexible and resilient. Today’s energy storage technologies are not sufficiently scaled or affordable enough to meet energy demand that fluctuates throughout the day and night. Long-duration energy storage (LDES) is a cost-effective option to increase grid reliability and resilience so that reliable, affordable electricity is available whenever and wherever to everyone. DOE defines LDES as storage systems capable of delivering electricity for 10 or more hours in duration.
Program Overview
The Long-Duration Energy Storage portfolio helps to advance LDES systems toward widespread commercial deployment. The goal of this portfolio is to fund projects that will overcome the technical and institutional barriers that exist for deployment, with a focus on different technology types for a diverse set of regions.
The LDES portfolio includes the following programs:
- Long-Duration Energy Storage Demonstrations Program: These projects will help effectively demonstrate the commercial viability of innovative LDES technologies and facilitate wider commercial adoption.
- DOE/DOD Long-Duration Energy Storage Joint Program: These projects will demonstrate LDES technologies on government facilities through collaboration between DOE and Department of Defense (DOD).
- Long-Duration Energy Storage Pilot Program: These projects will advance a diverse set of LDES technologies towards commercial viability and utility-scale demonstrations.
Current Funding Opportunities
As part of the Long-Duration Energy Storage Pilot Program, in September 2024, OCED opened applications for up to $100 million in funding to support pilot-scale energy storage demonstration projects. This funding will focus on non-lithium technologies, long-duration (10+ hour discharge) systems, and stationary storage applications. Full applications are due by March 14, 2025. Learn more here.
- Learn more about the LDES Pilot Program Concept Paper encourage/discourage notifications, issued December 2024.
- Read the OCED News Alert announcing the Notice of Funding Opportunity, published September 2024.
- Download the Notice of Funding Opportunity, issued September 2024.
- View the Notice of Funding webpage, published September 2024
- Read the OCED News Alert announcing the Notice of Intent, published July 2024.
- Read the Notice of Intent, issued July 2024.
- Learn about the LDES Projects Selected for award negotiations, announced September 2023.
- Read the Press Release announcing the project selections, published September 2023.
- Download the Funding Opportunity Announcement, issued November 2022.
- Read the Funding Opportunity Announcement Press Release, issued November 2022.
- Watch the Funding Opportunity Announcement given by David Crane, DOE Under Secretary for Infrastructure and former OCED Director, in November 2022.
- View the Funding Notice webpage, published November 2022.
- Watch a recap of the Long-Duration Energy Storage listening sessions, held July-August 2022.
- Watch a recap of the Long-Duration Energy Storage Request for Information Webinar, held June 2022.
- Learn about the LDES Projects Selected to be demonstrated at DOE National Labs, announced September 2023.
- Read the Press Release announcing the project selections, published September 2023.
- Download the Lab Call Announcement, issued November 2022.
Resources
- Read the latest updates on the Long-Duration Energy Storage portfolio.
- Department of Energy's Office of Electricity Energy Storage Program.
- Department of Energy's Energy Storage Grand Challenge.
- Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Long-Duration Storage Shot.
- For more information on the Long-Duration Energy Storage Program, contact [email protected].
- For media inquiries, contact [email protected].
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