A sand-based long-duration energy storage system developed by the US Department of Energy’s National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) has received a 2026 R&D 100 Award.
The Economic Long-Duration Energy Storage by Using Low-Cost Particle-Based Thermal Energy Storage system, known as Enduring, stores energy generated during off-peak periods for use when demand is higher.
The patented system uses low-cost, abundant sand as its storage medium. NLR said its heat exchanger was designed to maintain performance while reducing the system’s physical footprint and material costs.
According to the laboratory, Enduring could provide large-scale storage at a capital cost of less than $10 per kWh of thermal energy capacity. It said the technology could safely store the equivalent of hundreds of megawatts of electricity for periods of up to 100 hours.
Enduring also received silver recognition in the awards’ Market Disruptor category.
Adam Bratis, NLR deputy laboratory director for science and technology and chief research officer, said: “This recognition is a testament to the exceptional talent and ingenuity of our researchers. Their breakthroughs are providing the innovative, scalable solutions our nation needs for the energy systems and infrastructure of tomorrow.
“These R&D 100 Awards support what we have always believed: NLR is not just envisioning the future of American energy—our people are actively building it.”
The annual R&D 100 Awards, presented by R&D World magazine, recognise 100 technologies selected by an independent judging panel. NLR has received 80 of the awards since 1982.
Its three other 2026 award winners were the Altrios open-source digital twin for freight rail systems; the Pele Suite of Exascale Reacting Flow Codes; and perforated bipolar membranes for converting carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide into organic compounds.
Photo: Researchers Shin Young Jeong and Zhiwen Ma examine the prototype device that uses superheated sand for long-duration energy storage.
Credit: Joe DelNero, NREL
