Long-duration energy storage (LDES) is any storage technology that can supply energy—typically as electricity, and in some cases as heat—continuously for at least ten consecutive hours at full power. LDES systems offer an alternative to shorter-duration energy storage technologies like lithium-ion batteries. There are three main storage classifications for LDES: inter-day, multi-day, and seasonal shifting. Inter-day storage provides 10 to 36 hours of energy, while multi-day storage extends that range from 36 to 160 hours of energy. Seasonal shifting storage offers energy over extended durations exceeding 160 hours, often spanning several months. LDES is a diverse technology class with a range of forms, including electrochemical, mechanical, thermal, and chemical energy storage. It is a flexible resource with many potential end users, including electric utilities, data centers, critical facilities such as hospitals and military bases (sometimes with microgrids), remote communities, and heat-intensive industrial operations.

Highlights

Energy Abundance: LDES is critical to maintaining U.S. energy abundance as the nation faces a period of significant growth in electricity demand, projected to rise by 15 to 20 percent over the next decade.

Domestic Manufacturing & Jobs: LDES encompasses a wide range of technologies, many of which leverage existing domestic supply chains from adjacent industries—reducing U.S. dependence on imported batteries. If the United States can scale LDES manufacturing and deployment to 3 GW annually by 2030, the sector could generate up to 2.1 million direct job-years.

Energy Reliability: LDES can provide sustained backup power during prolonged periods of high electricity demand or grid stress events, helping to prevent blackouts, safeguard lives, and reduce economic disruption.

Innovation Unlocks Value: Continued federal investment in innovation is essential to unlocking the full potential of LDES and other emerging technologies. Sustained funding for research, development, and demonstration not only accelerates the creation of new LDES approaches with added value but also enhances existing approaches by making them more cost-effective and scalable.