UK pushes battery storage forward with EDF‑Duracell trial and Form Energy plans

EDF and Duracell Energy, through licencee Puredrive Energy, have started a three‑month trial of about 50 residential battery systems in England. Running from June to August 2026, the batteries will be coordinated to participate in local flexibility markets, allowing owners to receive rewards for supporting distribution networks and helping balance supply and demand. EDF will manage market participation while Puredrive will handle customer recruitment. The trial aims to demonstrate how distributed storage can reduce future network investment and generate revenue for households.

In parallel, US‑based Form Energy announced plans to build large iron‑air battery facilities in the UK. Co‑founder and CEO Mateo Jaramillo will unveil details at London Climate Action Week alongside the Prince of Wales. The technology uses reversible rusting to store renewable energy at an estimated cost of about $15 (£15) per kilowatt‑hour, far cheaper than conventional lithium‑ion solutions, and is designed to deliver power for several days to support the grid when wind and solar output falls short.