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. “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. Photo: Researchers Shin Young Jeong and Zhiwen Ma examine the prototype device that uses superheated sand for long-duration energy storage.