New study explores the potential for biomass as a long-duration energy store
A new report from Cultivate Innovation, the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) and the Supergen Bioenergy Hub has explored how biomass could play a significant role in providing long-duration energy storage – helping the UK to balance renewable generation, strengthen energy security and continue progress towards net zero.
The study, The Potential Role for Biomass as a Long-Duration Store of Energy, examines how biomass could act as an inter-seasonal store of energy within the system in addition to delivering negative emissions from large-scale deployment of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). It identifies where biomass could complement other energy storage technologies, particularly during periods of low wind and solar generation.
By reviewing existing evidence, the report outlines the commercial, economic, environmental, social and technical opportunities for using biomass in this way, as well as the wider systemic, environmental and social considerations that would need to be addressed. The findings emphasise the importance of developing sustainable biomass supply chains and ensuring that land use, biodiversity and carbon impacts are properly managed.
The findings will be presented in an upcoming webinar on 26 November 2025.
Dr Jamie Speirs, Co-Director of the UK Energy Research Centre, said:
“This report provides a timely and valuable look at how biomass can support the UK’s energy transition. As we increase our reliance on renewables, the ability to store energy over long periods becomes essential. Biomass offers unique opportunities to provide that flexibility while also contributing to negative emissions and sustainable resource use.”
Professor Patricia Thornley, Director of the Supergen Bioenergy Hub, added:
“Minimising carbon emissions from our energy system is key to UK energy supply. Biomass is a more significant part of that system than most people realise and realising the flexibility benefits that brings could play a big role in maximising renewable deployment, minimising emissions and potentially consumer costs as well.”
Dr Mike Colechin, Founder of Cultivate Innovation who authored the report, commented:
“Undertaking this study has revealed just how much sustainably produced biomass is currently being used for energy production in the UK. It works quietly within the system, providing break crops to farmers, adding to the circular economy by avoiding materials going to waste, and supporting people at a local level, particularly in rural communities. Moreover, it stores significant amounts of energy, which we can use as we transition away from fossil fuels towards a more sustainable future.”
The study also highlights the value of adopting a whole-systems approach to energy research. Understanding how biomass interacts with other energy vectors will be key to unlocking its full potential. The authors call for further research and coordinated policy action to ensure that biomass is deployed in ways that maximise both climate and societal benefits.
The report builds on a growing body of work across UKERC and Supergen that focuses on the challenges and opportunities of decarbonising the UK’s energy system. These programmes bring together researchers, policymakers and industry partners to provide evidence and insights that inform national strategy.
Read full report: The potential role for biomass as a long-duration store of energy: a scoping study for the Supergen Bioenergy Hub and the UK Energy Research Centre.
Find out more and register for the webinar.
Key messages
- Bioenergy infrastructure and supply chains, such as seasonally harvested crops, waste wood and forestry by-products, currently store energy at scale over relatively long periods. There is the potential to use this characteristic to facilitate greater flexibility in the operation of heat, gas and electricity systems and markets.
- The capital and operational costs of bioenergy production are well understood and are already delivering cost-competitive commercial operations. This knowledge could be used to deliver a lower-cost solution to the long-duration energy storage challenge, complementing the other solutions currently being proposed.
- All current use of biomass within the UK energy system is shaped by Government policy, incentives and regulation. Their current focus is the delivery of negative emissions from large-scale bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) operations. There is also the potential for smaller-scale biomass operations to deliver both BECCS and other ongoing system benefits, such as providing a store of energy that can be used flexibly. These opportunities shouldn’t be ignored.
If you’re interested in understanding more about this issue or would like to raise questions about some of the findings, please register for the webinar on 26 November 2026.
