Planning

Large Scale Non-Battery based Electrical Energy Storage Systems

UNITED KINGDOM INDUSTRIAL FUSION SOLUTIONS

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

27 Jan 2026 at 14:05

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The public procurement process for the "Large Scale Non-Battery based Electrical Energy Storage Systems" is currently in the planning stage, led by the United Kingdom Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS). This initiative is focused on engineering design services, particularly within the electrical power systems sector. The procurement is centred around Culham, Abingdon in the UK, and is geared towards developing infrastructure for the STEP fusion power plant project. A preliminary market engagement, slated to conclude on 23rd March 2026, aims to gather market insights to refine the project's specification. The procurement method involves an open tender, accessible through the Delta eSourcing portal, inviting global expertise to aid in creating a sustainable energy storage system poised to meet the complex power demands of a future fusion energy plant.

This tender provides significant growth opportunities for businesses in the energy storage and engineering sectors, especially those specialising in non-battery-based systems, such as Flywheels, Super-capacitors, or Fuel Cells, given the project's emphasis on innovative solutions to meet large power fluctuations efficiently. Firms with capabilities in designing and implementing large-scale electrical systems can benefit from engaging in this high-profile energy project with UKIFS, which offers the prospect of long-term involvement over the operation and maintenance phase, slated to span up to 20 years starting in 2029. The initiative could also serve as a catalyst for companies to develop cutting-edge technologies aligning with the evolving energy sector needs.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Large Scale Non-Battery based Electrical Energy Storage Systems

Notice Description

The following summary is not intended as a complete or definitive specification of the requirement. A purpose of this engagement is to seek information from the market to help refine our understanding and aid the development of a future specification. STEP is currently in its Concept Design phase, which is expected to be completed by 2026. The electrical infrastructure of STEP will resemble that of large conventional thermal power stations; however, its design presents unique challenges: Fusion power stations like STEP have exceptionally large parasitic (auxiliary/house) loads required to initiate and sustain fusion reactions--significantly higher than those in conventional power plants. These parasitic loads must be supplied by external sources during plant start-up, before the power generation cycle begins producing electricity. The highly dynamic nature of these loads could make compliance with grid code requirements challenging. For more information, please refer to: Staying positive: producing net power | Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A | The Royal Society UKIFS is seeking experts to support the technology selection of a Central Energy Storage System (CESS) that is part of the STEP Electrical infrastructure. Due to the power dynamics of operating the STEP power plant and the operating parameters set by the National Energy System Operator (NESO), an energy storage system is required to provide a mechanism to ensure that we remain within the NESO operating parameters. Rather than a continuous output, STEP will operate on a pulsed basis. The power dynamics of the fusion pulses are typically different to a conventional power plant. The CESS has been identified as a critical system to the design as it provides a mechanism to compensate for the changing load dynamics throughout the pulse. This will ensure STEP remains within the NESO defined operating parameters at the point of grid connection. The scope of the CESS cannot be fully defined due to knowledge gaps in CESS behaviour and limitations. Once these are understood, a technology will be selected, and limitations will be incorporated into the electrical infrastructure design. This PME is looking to address the knowledge gaps. The proposed technical and operations of the CESS are *2 operational cycles per day *Pulse length will be over 1 hour (continuous) *Power range larger than 300MW *Energy capacity 100-300MWh *Response in the millisecond range *Similar charge and discharge rates. *Fast response time during power swings (full charge to discharge) *High round trip efficiency: 80% In conjunction the CESS will be required to be operated and maintained for the 20-year life of the STEP machine. Due to the requirements, we are attempting to ascertain if this could be accomplished or partly accomplished by a non-battery-based system (Flywheel, Super-conducting magnetic storage (SMES), Capacitor, Super Capacitor, Fuel Cells or other) For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Culham:-Engineering-design-services./W8UFJUNW28 To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/W8UFJUNW28

Planning Information

To participate in this exercise, please complete and submit Appendix 1: Questionnaire and return any documents via the Delta portal. We are conscious of your time (and grateful to you for taking the time to complete the questionnaire), therefore we suggest you limit your responses to a maximum of 5 pages. If there are any areas you would like to expand on, please add a note to the relevant section for future discussion. If you experience any difficulties with the portal, please contact the portal helpdesk helpdesk@delta-esourcing.com cc operationalprocurement.step@ukifs.uk Information obtained from responses to Appendix 1: Questionnaire will help UKIFS understand current market capabilities and may shape the scope, direction, and design of the future procurement activities. If you have any questions about this Preliminary Market Engagement, please contact UKIFS through the Delta portal. We are keen to engage with suppliers to assist with the questionnaire if needed, to ensure quality responses enabling us to shape the future requirement and procurement. Following the submission and review of questionnaires, UKIFS intends to run an online conference call meeting/seminar/Q&A. The closing date for the pre-market engagement is Monday 23rd March 2026, 1 pm.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060fbe
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007128-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

71320000 - Engineering design services

71323100 - Electrical power systems design services

71323200 - Plant engineering design services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Jan 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
24 Mar 20265 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2029 - 31 Mar 2033 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNITED KINGDOM INDUSTRIAL FUSION SOLUTIONS
Contact Name
Operational Procurement
Contact Email
operationalprocurement.step@ukifs.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
CULHAM
Postcode
OX14 3DB
Post Town
Oxford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ14 Oxfordshire CC
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
South Oxfordshire
Electoral Ward
Sandford & the Wittenhams
Westminster Constituency
Didcot and Wantage

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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