Powering the future: Long-duration energy storage in Scotland. 

By Steven Livingston – Director

As Scotland races toward its ambitious net-zero targets, one challenge looms large, how to store renewable energy when the wind doesn’t blow and the sun doesn’t shine.  

Long-duration energy storage (LDES) is emerging as a key part of the answer. Unlike traditional batteries, which can typically supply power for only a few hours, long-duration systems can store energy for days, weeks, or even seasons. This technology could transform Scotland’s energy landscape, ensuring clean electricity is always available, no matter the weather.  

There are various types of LDES, including:   

• Thermal. Energy is stored as heat or cold which is released when it is needed. For example, excess electricity is cooled to become a liquid and then it is expanded back into a gas to drive a turbine and generate power.  

• Mechanical. Physical movement releases stored power, for example in ‘pumped hydro’ systems, water is moved to a higher place when energy is available and released later to generate power. 

• Chemical. Electricity is converted into fuels like hydrogen that can be stored and converted back to energy. 

• Electrochemical. Improvements in battery technology enable energy to be held for longer. 

Scotland is uniquely positioned to lead in the field in LDES. With a world-class renewable energy sector, particularly in wind and hydro power, and a wealth of natural and industrial infrastructure, the nation has the ingredients to become a hub for large-scale energy storage. Projects exploring hydrogen production, pumped hydro storage, and emerging thermal and compressed air systems are already underway.  

Take the proposed Loch Kemp pumped storage scheme. If realised, it could play a pivotal role in balancing supply and demand, using excess electricity produced by renewables to generate power which is then released when it’s needed most. 

There’re only four pumped storage sites across Britain (specifically in Scotland and Wales) between them accounting for 2.8 GW of LDES. Estimates show that if this rises to 20 GW then a staggering £24 billion could be saved between 2025 and 2050, reducing household bills and our reliance on volatile, expensive national gas markets.  

Beyond stabilising the grid, long-duration storage offers economic opportunities. Investing in these technologies could support thousands of skilled jobs, strengthen energy security, and even allow Scotland to export stored renewable power to neighbouring countries. As the cost of renewables continues to fall, storage is becoming the next great frontier in energy innovation. For Scotland, it’s not just about keeping the lights on, it’s about shaping a resilient, low-carbon future that lasts for generations.