The Longer Duration Energy Storage Demonstration Programme forms part as part of the £1bn Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP). The Programme will support the demonstration of innovative longer duration energy storage technologies which provide grid flexibility, through funding provided by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). This SBRI Competition for Stream 2 (the Competition) is a £30.5M funding opportunity for ~3 to demonstrate first-of-a-kind longer duration (minimum 4 hours) energy storage facilities, using innovative storage technologies. The aim of the Competition is to further accelerate commercialisation of innovative energy storage technologies; focusing on technologies that provide longer duration storage capability and can provide novel services/system benefits. The Competition will seek to achieve this aim by providing projects with funding under the SBRI towards capital expenditure (CAPEX). This support will enable full-system prototypes for technologies of technology readiness levels (TRLs) between 4 and 5. The Competition will focus on increasing the TRLs of funded technologies by a minimum of 2 levels, resulting in: • prototype build and demonstration in a relevant environment (increasing from TRL 4 to TRL 6); or • operational environment (increasing from TRL 5 to TRL 7) (see Appendix 1 of the Competition Guidance Notes for further information on TRLs). The Competition will be delivered through two Phases: • Phase 1: Feasibility study Projects will be expected to scope and develop a feasibility study for their proposed technologies, covering potential deployment on the UK energy system. • Phase 2: Build and demonstration of the technology prototype Projects which receive Phase 2 funding will be expected to build a full-system prototype of their proposed technology and demonstrate it in a relevant (TRL 6) or operational (TRL 7) environment. A formal stage gate review will take place between Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Competition. This review will determine which projects can progress to Phase 2. This will result in new contracts being awarded. The Competition is interested in a broad range of longer duration energy storage technologies, capable of providing flexibility to the UK electricity grid. The minimum requirements for eligibility are as follows: • Must charge using electricity. • Must be able to charge for at least 4 hours. • Must have the flexibility to increase electricity demand at times of low demand and high renewable output. • Must be stationary - i.e., operate from 1 primary location. The Competition will support proposals within the following technology categories: • Electrical energy storage • Thermal energy storage • Power-to-x Please refer to the full SBRI competition guidance notes, which are attached or found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/longer-duration-energy-storage-demonstration-competition-apply-for-stream-2-first-of-a-kind-prototypes-contracts Additional information: Please refer to the full SBRI competition guidance notes, which are attached or can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/longer-duration-energy-storage-demonstration-competition-apply-for-stream-2-first-of-a-kind-prototypes-contracts Eligible Costs BEIS will fund 100% of eligible project costs through this Competition. Project costs must not include profit to the lead applicant or consortium partners. SBRI is aimed at organisations working on research and development (R&D) of an innovative process, material, device, product, or service prior to commercialisation. Projects requesting funding for commercialisation activities are not eligible. Application To apply to Phase 1 of the Competition, bidders will be asked to complete an online Registration Form, following which a password will be generated. This will be required in order to access and complete the online Competition application form. Please note registration closes at 14:00 on 23 July 2021. Bidders can then complete the Application Form, and submit supporting information explaining their proposal. Please note applications will be assessed on their potential to deliver both Phase 1 and Phase 2. Bidders are not required to submit detailed information on their Phase 2 plans at this stage; however, they will be asked for an outline project plan and budget for Phase 2, at a minimum. Submission of Proposal. The full proposal must be submitted online by 14:00 13 August 2021. Suppliers must apply to a specific technology category (electrical, thermal, power-to-X). Any supporting materials must be attached to the online proposal form. Please note that each supporting document cannot exceed the size limit set within the application form. Any applications or supporting documentation received after the application deadline will not be considered. Questions We aim to provide comprehensive guidance on the Competition through this documentation and online Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/longer-duration-energy-storage-demonstration-competition-apply-for-stream-2-first-of-a-kind-prototypes-contracts. If you still have questions, please submit them by the final clarification questions deadline (14:00 8 July 2021) to storage.innovation@beis.gov.uk; questions submitted after this deadline may not be answered. We will provide replies to any questions which, in our judgement, are of material significance, through an online anonymised FAQ sheet published at the website above and on Contracts Finder, on or before 21 July 2021. All suppliers should take the answers to the clarification questions, the online FAQs and this Competition Guidance into consideration when preparing their own tenders. BEIS will evaluate tenders on the assumption that they have done so.