Storage

The materials for the Li-ion battery were discovered in Oxford in the 1970s and we continue to lead internationally recognised research in the field, developing batteries with diverse requirements for a range of applications. In the transport sector, electric passenger vehicles have gained a significant market; our work continues to develop safe, low-cost and high-performance batteries for a range of demanding applications. In the power sector, large-scale electricity storage is required to provide supply and demand balancing, our research has highlighted the need for large scale storage to provide resilience in an increasingly diverse energy system and has developed techno-economic frameworks for the optimisation of storage assets.  

 Thermal energy storage is also essential alongside electric storage to meet the growing demand for reliable, efficient, and sustainable energy systems. Our work involves high-temperature thermal storage for concentrated solar power plants and industrial processes, to store heat for electricity generation and waste heat recovery. Moreover, novel low-temperature heat batteries are being developed for HVAC systems and refrigeration to capture and store heat or cold, offering a complementary solution that balances energy supply and demand. Together, thermal and electric storage ensure a more resilient and flexible energy system, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and enhancing energy security. 

Our multidisciplinary approach integrates research from fundamental materials discovery through to applications and demonstration, drawing in research across multiple departments and divisions. As the drive for electrification accelerates, ensuring that we have the right storage technologies and associated policies and markets to support their deployment, is essential for a just energy transition.

Our Research Areas