November 2026 /
Long-Duration Energy Storage Task Force
Energy Storage Europe’s Long-Duration Energy Storage Task Force works to give long-duration storage a clear role in EU policy, a route to revenue in the market, and EU funding that fits its projects.
Why this task force exists
Policymakers and decision-makers have a limited understanding of the role of long-duration energy storage (LDES).
Market design is not tailored to LDES, so there is no revenue route and investors are not building it.
EU funding exists but is not tailored to LDES, so projects face financing gaps.
Chair
Cillian Totterdell, Form Energy
Secretariat
Carolina Cruz, Policy Officer, Energy Storage Europe
What we work on
EU Data Centre Tripartites
Agreement between data centres, policymakers and technology providers
Key message: Data centres can be deployed in a socially acceptable, sustainable and grid-fair way only when coupled with firmed energy.
What we want
New rules requiring data centre developers to choose either colocation (storage on the same site) or firmed power purchase agreements (PPAs).
Success looks like
The tripartite includes a commitment from data centres to deploy energy storage.
EU timeline
12/2026: launch of the Tripartites on Data Centres
What we are doing
10/2026 to 11/2026: push the commitment position in the Commission’s data centre task force
What members do
React to the Commission’s data centre task force activities and contribute to its work.
European Resource Adequacy Assessment (ERAA) and capacity markets
Key message: The European Resource Adequacy Assessment and capacity markets must be designed to address long-duration needs, include LDES in the assessment, and let storage take part in capacity markets on a level playing field.
What we want
A European Resource Adequacy Assessment that includes an LDES-specific category and assesses long-duration needs better, so gas is not the default first option. Member States assess the amounts correctly and trigger State aid where needed.
Success looks like
The European Resource Adequacy Assessment includes an LDES-specific category and gives clearer needs. Capacity markets promote LDES deployment, not gas.
What we are doing
10/2026: present the capacity market investigation to the task force; work runs to 12/2026
What members do
Contribute to the capacity market investigation. Contribute to workshops with the European Commission on the Energy Security Regulation.
Energy Security Regulation
Key message: Energy security must go beyond gas and include providers such as storage.
What we want
No special treatment for gas where storage can do the same job.
Success looks like
The revised regulation has no provision giving gas special treatment where storage can do the same job.
EU timeline
12/2026 to 01/2027: final version
What we are doing
Since 05/2026: our energy security paper is available
10/2026: circulate our positioning on the leaked draft
12/2026 to 01/2027: react to the final version
From 02/2027: engage with the Council and the European Parliament
What members do
React to the Secretariat’s response to the leaked draft.
Member States’ Flexibility Needs Assessments
Key message: Member States must go beyond the bare minimum and assess their real flexibility challenges.
What we want
Assessments that follow the methodology, do not underestimate storage and cover long-duration timeframes, with State aid triggered where needed.
Success looks like
Assessments follow the methodology and cover long-duration timeframes, leading to widely deployed State aid for (long-duration) energy storage.
EU timeline
07/2026 to 12/2026: launch expected
From 02/2027: European Commission and ACER assessment
What we are doing
09/2026 to 12/2026: analyse the files
What members do
React to the Secretariat’s work on the assessments. Engage national governments where they have good contacts.
European Investment Bank PPA Bank
Key message: Counter-guarantees are needed to unlock cheap capital for LDES.
What we want
A launch as soon as possible, as it was announced months ago.
Success looks like
The European Investment Bank launches the PPA Bank, tailored to energy storage.
What we are doing
09/2026 to 12/2026: push for a launch tailored to storage
10/2026: prepare a paper on non-regulatory barriers to energy storage financing
What members do
Contribute to the upcoming paper on non-regulatory barriers to financing LDES.
EU Multiannual Financial Framework
Key message: We need abundant funding tailored to energy storage projects.
What we want
As much clean tech funding as possible, with complementary instruments that cover both upfront (capex) and running (opex) costs, without opening the door to technologies that are not energy storage, such as carbon capture.
Success looks like
EU funding for clean tech under the new framework is abundant and tailored to LDES.
EU timeline
01/2027: adoption of the framework
What we are doing
10/2026 to 12/2026: push for funding tailored to storage
What members do
Join joint or open letters developed by the Secretariat. Engage national governments where they have good contacts.
Taxation, grid fees and system services remuneration
Key message: We need low taxes, low grid fees and abundant remunerated system services.
What we want
No double taxation, with taxation lower than for gas. The lowest possible grid fees, specific to storage. Full remuneration of all services storage provides, from frequency to stability.
Success looks like
Legislation sets no double taxation, low storage-specific grid fees, and remuneration of all storage services.
EU timeline
07/2026: proposal
12/2026: Network Codes expected to enter into force
What we are doing
Until 12/2026: push for our taxation, grid fee and Network Codes asks
What members do
Support the Secretariat’s joint letter and initiative. Engage bilaterally with their European Parliament contacts, in line with Energy Storage Europe’s positions.
Short explanations
LDES: long-duration energy storage.
PPA: power purchase agreement, a long-term contract to buy electricity.
Firmed energy: energy that can be relied on when needed.
ERAA: the European Resource Adequacy Assessment, which checks whether there is enough supply to meet demand.
State aid: public support that must follow EU rules.
Flexibility Needs Assessment (FNA): a Member State’s assessment of how much flexibility its power system needs.
Network Codes: EU rules for how the power grid and market operate.
Grid fees: charges for using the grid.
Related task forces
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