Imperial Policy Forum hosted a panel on battery tech's role in the UK's clean power mission, uniting experts from government, industry, and academia.
The Imperial Policy Forum hosted a panel event discussing the critical role of battery technology in achieving clean power by 2030. The discussion marked the visit of the Faraday Institution to Imperial and brought together experts from academia, industry, and government to explore how the UK can position itself at the forefront of this vital sector in the clean energy transition.
Chaired by Professor Mary Ryan, Vice-Provost of Research and Enterprise at Imperial, the event featured an esteemed panel:
- Professor Martin Freer, CEO of the Faraday Institution
- Juliette Sanders, Chief Communications Officer at Energy UK
- Lee McDonough, Director General, Net Zero, Nuclear and International at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Professor Gregory Offer, Professor in Electrochemical Engineering, Imperial College London
Aligning Government and Industry Goals
Professor Ryan opened by asking Lee McDonough to reflect on what it means for government to be "mission-led" particularly in the context of achieving clean power. McDonough outlined the government's ambitious dual objectives of clean power by 2030 and net zero across the economy by 2050. She stressed the importance of cross-departmental collaboration to tackle global challenges, such as geopolitical shifts and fiscal constraints, and reiterated that clean growth and decarbonisation are not mutually exclusive.
Complementing this, Juliette Sanders of Energy UK detailed how advancements in battery storage have led to substantial cost reductions (by as much as 90%) and are enabling significant increases in deployed capacity. She stressed the importance of grid flexibility to balance renewable intermittency, positioning batteries and demand-side management as central to enabling the Government's clean power mission.
Harnessing UK Expertise to Shape the Future of Energy Storage
Responding to Ryan's query about the UK's standing in battery and energy storage research, Professor Martin Freer emphasised the nation's leadership in research and innovation. However, cautioned that more work is needed to translate these strengths into industrial capability. Freer noted that "long-duration energy storage" (LDES) represents a critical frontier, highlighting technologies like compressed air, liquid air, and hydrogen as promising solutions for balancing renewable intermittency over weeks and months rather than hours. He positioned the UK as a potential leader in battery research by reducing reliance on international supply chains through alternative materials.
Professor Gregory Offer responded to Ryan's question about the opportunities and challenges in battery technology, outlining the potential for the UK to specialise in high-value aspects of the global supply chain. He noted that while the country cannot compete with major manufacturing nations such as China, its intellectual capital and scientific expertise are formidable.
Picking up on the conversation, Ryan reflected: "Is there scope for the UK to position itself as the convener—a place where the global supply chain is optimised? Or do we focus on developing technologies that are less dependent on one established supply chain? Have we gone too far down the road with current chemistries to think otherwise?"
Freer agreed, but cautioned that the industrial landscape is already heavily influenced by other countries' dominance. While China and the US excel in manufacturing and lead in major investment programmes, the UK can focus on areas where it has a competitive edge, particularly in fundamental science and innovation.
A call to action
The event closed with a clear consensus on the need for international collaboration. The panel reiterated the value of partnerships to overcome global supply chain bottlenecks and accelerate innovation, with Freer stating: "The real success lies not in who leads the race but in achieving net zero globally, as quickly as possible."
Reflecting on the discussions and outcomes of the day, Professor Ryan said,"Achieving clean power by 2030 demands bold policy decisions. By aligning government priorities with academic expertise and industrial capability, we can create a policy environment that accelerates technological breakthroughs and secures the UK's leadership in the global energy transition.".
