Morning, Thursday, 17th September 2026
Online
This conference will examine next steps for energy storage policy, regulation and market development in the UK. It will examine implementation of the Long Duration Electricity Storage cap and floor scheme and wider market reform. Areas for discussion include investment and deployment across system-level and demand-side storage, planning, grid connections and strategic energy system coordination, alongside longer-term considerations for innovation, sustainability and the future role of energy storage in the UK's electricity system.
It will bring together stakeholders and policymakers to discuss practical questions as implementation of the LDES cap and floor scheme progresses following publication of the Minded-to Decisions List for Window 1 and Ofgem’s ongoing consultation, with 16 shortlisted projects representing 7,645MW of capacity across four technology types. Discussion will consider the implications of the shortlisted portfolio across pumped storage hydro, lithium-ion battery energy storage systems (BESS), compressed air energy storage and vanadium redox flow batteries, alongside how the regional distribution of capacity shapes system planning, network requirements and future deployment. Wider developments in electricity market reform, flexibility, network connections and strategic energy planning will also be discussed. Delegates will assess what will be needed from policy, regulation, market arrangements and system planning if storage is to support investment, deployment and the longer-term development of the sector.
The agenda will examine priorities for scaling energy storage across both system-level and distributed assets, with discussion on how market arrangements, planning frameworks and regulatory approaches can best support investment, deployment and effective coordination across the electricity system. Delegates will consider issues emerging as current reforms move into implementation, alongside stakeholder perspectives on practical steps needed to support delivery, strengthen market confidence and address longer-term priorities for the sector.
LDES implementation & support for investment
Sessions will assess the practical operation of the LDES cap and floor regime, including discussion on the draft special licence conditions and their implications for financing arrangements, revenue certainty and the transition of successful projects towards construction and operation. Lessons emerging from the first application window will also be considered, including stakeholder perspectives on technology neutrality, the pace of future allocation rounds and priorities for supporting continued investment across a diverse range of storage technologies.
The interaction of the LDES framework with wider electricity market reform will be assessed, including developments affecting the Capacity Market, Reformed National Pricing and flexibility markets. We expect discussion on how different market and support mechanisms can complement one another in supporting investment, while considering questions on longer-term revenue certainty, consumer costs and the conditions needed to support continued deployment.
Demand-side flexibility & market development
The conference will examine progress towards delivery of the Clean Flexibility Roadmap, including priorities for increasing participation in flexibility markets from households, businesses and communities.
Attendees will consider practicalities affecting aggregation, market access, incentives and participation across distributed storage technologies, alongside the contribution of behind-the-meter batteries and community energy initiatives.
Further discussion is expected on the relationship between demand-side flexibility and system-level storage, including the role of flexibility markets in supporting electricity system resilience, managing demand and reducing system costs.
Grid connections, planning & system coordination
Delegates will consider implications of recent work on electricity network connections reform, alongside wider planning and infrastructure policy affecting storage deployment. Discussion will examine approaches to reducing delays, supporting timely network build and strengthening coordination between storage, generation and wider electricity infrastructure.
The agenda will also assess development of the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan and Regional Energy Strategic Plans, considering implications for siting, network planning and whole-system co-ordination. Questions around planning, permitting, environmental assessment and implementation of recent planning reforms will also be considered.
Technology, sustainability & long-term delivery
Further sessions will examine longer-term priorities for innovation, commercialisation and development across a range of storage technologies, including considerations around technology suitability, resilience and future deployment pathways. Delegates will discuss stakeholder perspectives on technology neutrality, commercialisation of emerging technologies and the UK's competitiveness in international storage markets.
The conference will also consider longer-term delivery issues including workforce capacity, supply chains, critical materials, battery recycling and lifecycle considerations. This includes approaches to community engagement, environmental management and public confidence, alongside practical considerations for supporting sustainable deployment as storage capacity expands.
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those already due to attend include officials from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero; Department for the Economy, NI; Great British Energy; Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government; Health and Safety Executive; House of Commons Library; National Wealth Fund; the Welsh Government; and The Scottish Government.
