Long-Duration Energy Storage Demonstrations

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law appropriates $505 million for the development of long-duration energy storage (LDES) demonstrations to validate new technologies and enhance the capabilities of customers and communities to integrate grid storage more effectively. DOE defines LDES as systems capable of delivering electricity for 10 or more hours in duration.

Funding for this portfolio of LDES demonstrations provides a significant boost for DOE to greatly expand support for demonstration and deployment of LDES technologies to increase availability and deliver affordable, reliable clean electricity. In particular, this funding will help advance LDES systems toward widespread commercial deployment by providing an opportunity for nascent LDES technologies to overcome the technical and institutional barriers that exist for full-scale deployment with a focus on a range of different technology types for a diverse set of regions.

Cheaper LDES can increase local control of the power system, build resilience for communities, minimize power grid disruptions, and help reach President Biden’s goal of 100% clean electricity by 2035 and net-zero emissions by 2050. 

Overview

OFFICE:

Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations

NEW PROGRAM:

Yes

FUNDING AMOUNT:

$505,000,000

FUNDING MECHANISM:

Grant, Cooperative Agreement, or Other

RECIPIENTS:

Technology Developers, Industry, State and Local Governments, Tribal Organizations, Community Based Organizations, National Laboratories, Universities, and Utilities.

PERIOD OF AVAILABILITY:

Available until expended

More Information

Energy Storage Programs & Details

Long-Duration Energy Storage Demonstrations: Set of demonstration projects targeted towards a range of LDES technology types.

Department of Energy and Department of Defense Long-Duration Energy Storage Joint Program: Collaboration between Department of Energy and Department of Defense for long-duration demonstrations on government facilities.

Long-Duration Energy Storage Pilot Grant Program: Program that aims to bring a range of benefits provided by storage to targeted recipients including states, Tribes, and utilities.

Eligible Uses

OCED’s LDES portfolio is focused on a range of technologies with regional diversity to demonstrate promising technologies at different scales and help innovative LDES technologies to become commercially viable. These demonstrations will contribute to one or more of the following:

To improve the security of critical infrastructure and emergency response systems.
To improve the reliability of transmission and distribution systems, particularly in rural areas, including high-energy cost rural areas.
To optimize transmission or distribution system operation and power quality to defer or avoid costs of replacing or upgrading electric grid infrastructure, including transformers and substations.
To supply energy at peak periods of demand on the electric grid or during periods of significant variation of electric grid supply.
To reduce peak loads of homes and businesses.
To improve and advance power conversion systems.
To provide ancillary services for grid stability and management.
To integrate renewable energy resource production.
To increase the feasibility of microgrids (grid-connected or islanded mode).
To enable the use of stored energy in forms other than electricity to support the natural gas system and other industrial processes.
To integrate fast charging of electric vehicles.
To improve energy efficiency.

Program Announcements

Read the latest update on Long-Duration Energy Storage Demonstrations
View the projects selected for award negotiations, projects selected for the lab call, and the press release for Long-Duration Energy Storage
Download the previously issued Funding Opportunity Announcement and read the Press Release
View the Funding Notice webpage
Review the Community Benefits Plan Guidance
Watch OCED Director announce the Long-Duration Energy Storage Demonstrations Funding Opportunity
View the Lab Call Announcement ($30m) for Long-Duration Energy Storage Demonstrations
Watch a recap of the Long-Duration Energy Storage listening sessions
Watch a recap of the Long-Duration Energy Storage RFI webinar

Next Milestone

Long-Duration Energy Storage Demonstrations Funding Opportunity Announcement. Letters of Intent were due by December 22, 2022, and full applications were due by March 3, 2023.
OCED is hosting three regional briefings in early October 2023 to share details on LDES projects selected for award negotiations.
- Eastern Region projects: Monday, October 2nd from 6-7:30 p.m., ET. Register here.
- Western Region projects: Monday, October 2nd from 8-9:30 p.m., ET / 5-6:30 p.m., PT. Register here.
- Midwest Region projects: Tuesday, October 3rd from 6-7:30 p.m., ET/ 5-6:30 p.m., CST. Register here.
OCED hosted a virtual national briefing on Monday, Sept. 25, 2023 to provide details on the LDES projects selected for award negotiations. Video recording of the briefing will be posted soon.