Developing a policy framework for long duration storage – including pumped hydro – is viewed as crucial if the UK is to fully realise the potential of energy storage. The Long Duration Energy Storage Council has highlighted “uncertainty in the policy landscape” as one of thekey barriers to the greater commercialisation of long duration storage. Better policy support for long duration storage would include: the setting of storage capacity targets and procurement targets, as well as the incorporation of energy storage into grid planning efforts; mechanisms that both enhance revenues and provide long-term revenue certainty such as contracts for difference, caps & floors, hourly energy attribute certificates, power purchase agreements, and the regulated asset base; public-private partnerships, grants and incentives; and targeted tenders to accelerate early projects and their required infrastructure.

解决了这些障碍，未来英国的储能市场前景将十分广阔。如前所述，英国政府表示，预计到2030年，国家需要至少30GW的“包括电力存储在内的低碳弹性资产”，以维持能源安全、有效地整合高水平的可再生能源发电。如果上述障碍被消除，英国不仅可以达到这一目标，而且有可能超越它。