United Kingdom48 days leftOpen

Large Scale Battery Energy Storage Systems

Tender Overview

LOCATION

United Kingdom, United Kingdom

VALUE

Not disclosed

DEADLINE

March 23, 2026 at 00:00

CATEGORY

Other

CPV CODE

71320000

REFERENCE

007049-2026

Project Timeline

Contact Information

View Original

Original Tender 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 in 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 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, and a 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. Current assumptions are to exploit existing Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to fulfil the energy storage needs. We are interested in all battery chemistries used in large-scale energy storage systems, including Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP), Sodium-Sulfur (NaS), Lithium Titanate (LTO), Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries (VRFB), Nickel Manganese-Cobalt (MNC), Solid State Batteries or others. Due to knowledge gaps in BESS behaviour and limitations, the decision of using a BESS system for the CESS cannot be fully justified. This PME is looking to address this. The proposed technical and operational characteristics of the BESS 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 BESS will be required to be operated and maintained for the 20-year life of the STEP machine. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at: https://ukifs.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Culham:-Engineering-design-services./44277P4UUB To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://ukifs.delta-esourcing.com/respond/44277P4UUB
⚠️

MANDATORY EXCLUSION GROUNDS

  • Not applicable for this Preliminary Market Engagement (PME), as it is an information-gathering exercise, not a contract award process.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • Participants must be experts capable of providing input on large-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
  • Participants should possess knowledge regarding various battery chemistries used in large-scale energy storage systems (e.g., Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP), Sodium-Sulfur (NaS), Lithium Titanate (LTO), Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries (VRFB), Nickel Manganese-Cobalt (MNC), Solid State Batteries or others).
  • Participants should be able to address knowledge gaps in BESS behaviour and limitations for fusion power plant applications.
🔧

TECHNICAL CAPABILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • Expertise in Central Energy Storage Systems (CESS) for electrical infrastructure resembling large conventional thermal power stations.
  • Understanding of the unique challenges posed by fusion power stations, including exceptionally large parasitic (auxiliary/house) loads.
  • Knowledge of supplying parasitic loads from external sources during plant start-up.
  • Expertise in managing highly dynamic loads to ensure compliance with grid code requirements.
  • Ability to provide insights on energy storage systems that ensure compliance with National Energy System Operator (NESO) operating parameters.
  • Knowledge of pulsed power plant operations, where power dynamics differ from conventional power plants.
  • Expertise in BESS systems capable of compensating for changing load dynamics throughout a pulse.
  • Knowledge of BESS systems with proposed technical and operational characteristics:
  • 2 operational cycles per day.
  • Pulse length 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%.
  • Capability for operation and maintenance for a 20-year life of the STEP machine.
💰

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Not applicable for this Preliminary Market Engagement (PME), as it is an information-gathering exercise, not a contract award process.
📋

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

  • Responses must be submitted via the Delta eSourcing portal.
  • Responses must be submitted by the deadline: 2026-03-23T00:00:00.
  • For more information about this opportunity, visit the Delta eSourcing portal at: https://ukifs.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Culham:-Engineering-design-services./44277P4UUB
  • To respond to this opportunity, click here: https://ukifs.delta-esourcing.com/respond/44277P4UUB

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HTM
Planning Notice
Administrative Documents007049-2026.html
Summary:
UKIFS is conducting preliminary market engagement to gather information from experts on large-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) for the STEP fusion power plant's central energy storage system, aiming to refine future specifications for a system with over 300MW power and 100-300MWh energy capacity.
DOC
OCDS Record
OCDS Data007049-2026_ocds_record.json
Summary:
UKIFS is seeking market expertise for the technology selection of a central energy storage system, likely a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with specific high-power, high-energy, fast-response characteristics, to support the STEP fusion power plant's electrical infrastructure and ensure grid compliance.
DOC
OCDS Release Package
OCDS Data007049-2026_ocds_release.json
Summary:
This Prior Market Engagement seeks expert input on large-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) for the UK's STEP fusion power station's central energy storage system, focusing on technical and operational characteristics to address knowledge gaps.
PDF
Official PDF Version
Administrative Documents007049-2026_official.pdf
Summary:
UK Industrial Fusion Solutions is conducting preliminary market engagement to gather expert input on large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) with specific operational characteristics (e.g., >300MW, 100-300MWh, millisecond response) for the pulsed power demands of the STEP fusion power plant's central energy storage system.

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75
Good

Tender Quality Score

This Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) is well-structured for gathering expert input on a highly innovative fusion energy project, providing clear technical requirements for the future Battery Energy Storage System. While transparent in its purpose, it could benefit from greater detail on how market input will be evaluated and improved transparency regarding financial aspects.

Score Breakdown

Legal Compliance75/100

The tender clearly identifies itself as a Preliminary Market Engagement, which explains the absence of a formal procedure type and mandatory exclusion grounds. The CPV code is reasonably assigned for an information-gathering exercise preceding design. The missing reveal date is a metadata issue, but for a PME, it doesn't indicate non-compliance.

Missing reveal date
Procedure type not formally defined (though clarified as PME)
Clarity80/100

The description of the STEP project, its challenges, and the specific technical characteristics required for the BESS are exceptionally clear and detailed. The AI-extracted requirements are comprehensive and well-structured, making the scope of expertise sought very understandable.

No explicit criteria for evaluating market input, though this is less critical for a PME
Completeness70/100

Basic information like title, reference, organization, and deadlines are provided. All listed documents are available and summarized. Requirements are well-defined. However, the reveal date is missing, and the value is classified, which slightly impacts overall completeness.

Missing reveal date
Value classified
Fairness85/100

The PME utilizes an e-sourcing portal, ensuring broad access for submissions. The interest in "all battery chemistries" and the explicit goal to "address knowledge gaps" suggest an open and non-tailored approach, despite the highly specific technical requirements driven by the project's unique nature. The classified value is a minor detractor.

Value classified
Practicality65/100

Electronic submission is clearly supported via the Delta eSourcing portal, and direct links are provided. The contract start date and duration are specified for the future project, which is helpful. However, the lack of disclosed estimated value and detailed financing information reduces overall practicality for potential future bidders.

Value not disclosed (classified)
No detailed financing information
Data Consistency90/100

Key dates are logical and consistent, with the PME preceding a future contract start date by several years, which is appropriate for a project of this scale. There are no disputes or suspensions. While some fields like "Liable Person" are empty and "Type/Procedure" are "None," this is largely consistent with its PME status. The automated check's "No e-submission" contradicts the explicit text, which states e-submission is supported.

"Liable Person" field empty
Automated check contradiction on e-submission (resolved by prioritizing text)
Sustainability50/100

The project itself, focusing on fusion power and large-scale battery storage, inherently contributes to green energy and innovation. The PME explicitly seeks to address knowledge gaps, demonstrating a strong innovation focus. However, the tender documentation does not explicitly include specific green procurement criteria or social aspects.

No explicit green procurement or social criteria in the PME documentation

Strengths

Clear and detailed technical requirements for a highly innovative project
Explicitly defined as a Preliminary Market Engagement for information gathering
Utilizes an e-sourcing portal for submission, promoting accessibility
Strong focus on innovation and addressing critical knowledge gaps
Logical and consistent timeline for a complex, long-term project

Concerns

Lack of formal procedure type and status, though clarified as PME
Estimated value is classified, reducing transparency
Missing reveal date for the PME
Absence of explicit green procurement or social criteria within the PME documentation
No clear indication of how market input will be evaluated or utilized

Recommendations

1. For future formal tenders, ensure all procedural types and statuses are clearly defined.
2. Consider disclosing estimated value where possible to enhance transparency.
3. Explicitly state how market input from the PME will be utilized and if there are any criteria for selecting participants for further engagement.

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B
Tender Quality Score
75/ 100 · Good

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