The UK Energy Storage Conference comes to Nottingham

UKES is the main annual UK Energy Storage conference, providing an inclusive platform for all researchers in Energy Storage to come together to present their work, with an agenda that endeavours to include academia, industry, and policy makers. UKES helps to form key collaborations for the future of the field, and this year was hosted by the University of Nottingham from 10 - 12 April 2024.

Over 150 delegates travelled from far and wide to attend the three-day conference, which featured over 80 individual presentations in a packed agenda showcasing ground breaking research and energy storage initiatives. Poster and soapbox sessions were also included for the highly engaged audience, and many attended a formal dinner, with entertainment provided by the Mini Big Band and an after-dinner speech delivered by Professor Martin Freer, Director of the Energy Research Accelerator and University of Birmingham Energy Institute.

Just some of the technologies covered included energy storage based on batteries, compressed air, liquid air, gravitational potential, CO2 liquefaction, pumped thermal, and synthetic fuels. Issues around markets, policy, social acceptance and the “just transition” of a large workforce into this critically important new industry were also covered.

Professor Seamus Garvey led the event, and commented, “The real buzz around this conference is a direct reflection of the fact that most of the big challenges remaining around decarbonisation can be solved by energy storage. The scale of the business opportunities available in this space is nothing short of breathtaking and the scope for further work is no less impressive”.

The UKES conference first took place in 2014 and was held annually until 2019 when COVID19 interrupted its rhythm. UKES2024 was held in the Monica Partridge Building, which won the Royal Institute of Architects Sustainability Award in 2019 for the East Midlands. The event was managed by the University of Nottingham Energy Institute, which unites energy research across a range of disciplines.

Many of the presentations were recorded and will be made available through our digital channels in coming days.

View the UKES2024 abstract booklet

Visit the UKES2024 website

Contact Professor Seamus Garvey