$1 trillion in LDES investment needed over next 20 years, according to forecast
Technical and marketing studies firm Zhar Research has released its 2025-26 market research report on the long duration energy storage (LDES) market.
Covering the years 2026-2046, the report promises “the reality about LDES,” complete with forecasts of technologies, materials, projects, and companies around the industry. Additionally, the report offers a look into research advances, escape routes, and financial market wisdom for the mid- to long-term future of the LDES industry.
“Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) is increasingly essential to cover intermittency of wind and solar power,” says the report. “It is also useful to cover down time of all other green options. Enthusiasts push for trillions of dollars to be spent on it but what is the reality after considering escape routes, paybacks and real-world delays?”
The market report includes “detailed forecasts in 23 lines and roadmaps in three lines” for the industry, between 2026 and 2046. The research team’s methodology included close studies of the LDES research pipeline, along with appraisals of targeted needs and regional initiatives, and interviews with industry experts.
The report also covers LDES need and design principles, as well as examples of energy industry spaces that no longer require LDES, the recent history of liquefied natural gas and thermal energy storage, and other possible LDES market openings.
Additionally, the new book takes a “very close” look at technological advancements in the LDES industry from over the past year, and covers more than 100 companies including industrial giants like Chevron and Lockheed Martin.
Predicting the future for LDES
Taking into account the state of the modern LDES market and other factors from the team’s recent research, the energy space is full of escape routes. And more escape routes, both deliberate and otherwise, continue arriving in the sector by the year, reducing the need for LDES.
“The result is that over the next 20 years around $1 trillion will be needed to deliver the lower cost of green electricity resulting from LDES,” Zhar Research officials say, “while escape routes are also increasingly activated such as grids and their interconnectors widening across more weather and time zones.”
Those escape routes may eventually reduce demand for LDES by at least 50%, which the researchers found to be a factor that goes “largely ignored” by energy suppliers and trade associations.
The conclusion of the research book presents 23 different key conclusions on the state of the LDES industry, as well as new infograms, tables, graphs, and other prescient materials.
Zhar Research’s new market report for the LDES industry, detailing the sector’s long-term future over the next 20 years, is available now with licenses starting at $4,900.
