This technology foresight report presents the process and findings of a Horizon Scanning exercise conducted in the context of FUTURINNOV (FUTURe-oriented detection and assessment of emerging technologies and breakthrough INNOVation), a collaboration between the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the Joint Research Centre (JRC). The exercise aims to support EIC strategic intelligence through foresight and other anticipatory methodologies.
The workshop, held online on 4 February 2026, focused on the identification, evaluation, and prioritisation of emerging technologies and breakthrough innovations across all technology readiness levels (TRLs) in the field of mid- to long-duration energy storage. Signals were collected through expert inputs, desk research, and text and data mining of patents, scientific publications, and EU-funded research and innovation projects.
These signals were subsequently assessed by a multidisciplinary group of experts, leading to the prioritisation of a diverse set of energy storage technologies. These include electrochemical solutions such as solid-state, sodium-ion, and flow batteries; thermal systems such as Carnot and thermophotovoltaic heat batteries; and mechanical and hybrid approaches including pumped storage hydropower and battolyser architectures. In addition, several enabling technological and innovation areas were identified as critical to advancing the field, including developments in digital technologies, CRM-free and recyclable materials, advanced heat exchange and heating systems, and second-life batteries for hybridisation.
The report also highlights a range of contextual factors shaping the development and deployment of energy storage technologies across social, technological, economic, environmental, and policy domains. These include infrastructure readiness, circularity and end-of-life management, environmental impacts, and regulatory and permitting frameworks. The findings point to an increasingly diversified and interconnected portfolio of energy storage solutions, where convergence and hybridisation across technologies are becoming central.
The outcomes of this exercise can inform future EIC Challenges and other European Commission funding calls, contribute to EIC and EC strategic intelligence, and support broader EU policy initiatives related to energy systems, decarbonisation, and industrial competitiveness.
