The University of Manchester is leading a new £3 million research collaboration to develop GPStore, a long duration energy storage technology designed to support the UK’s transition to net zero.
Funded through an EPSRC Critical Mass Programme Grant, the project aims to unlock a first-of-its-kind solution for storing clean energy for hours, weeks or even months.
The consortium brings together experts from the University of Manchester, the University of Birmingham, the University of Liverpool, Cranfield University and Imperial College London alongside industrial partners.
In total, 13 academics and 16 organisations, including EDF Energy, UK Power Networks, Fraser-Nash Consultancy and Manchester City Council, are involved.
As renewable generation grows, one of the biggest challenges is what to do with surplus electricity on windy or sunny days.
By 2050 the UK is expected to need up to 100 terawatt-hours of long duration storage, far beyond what existing options like pumped hydro, compressed air or flow batteries can provide at scale.
GPStore takes a different route. Surplus renewable electricity is converted into high temperature heat and stored in solid particles inside above-ground insulated tanks, then turned back into power when needed.
This could help balance supply and demand not just day to day but between seasons, supporting a stable low carbon grid.
Manchester leads push to transform long duration energy storage appeared first on Energy Live News.