What is the future of energy storage?

Storage enables electricity systems to remain in balance despite variations in wind and solar availability, allowing for cost-effective deep decarbonization while maintaining reliability. The Future of Energy Storage report is an essential analysis of this key component in decarbonizing our energy infrastructure and combating climate change.

Why is energy storage important?

Energy storage serves important grid functions, including time-shifting energy across hours, days, weeks, or months; regulating grid frequency; and ensuring flexibility to balance supply and demand.

What is the economic value of energy storage?

One study found that the economic value of energy storage in the U.S. is $228B over a 10 year period. 27 Lithium-ion batteries are one of the fastest-growing energy storage technologies 30 due to their high energy density, high power, near 100% efficiency, and low self-discharge 31. The U.S. has 1.1 Mt of lithium reserves, 4% of global reserves. 32

What is energy storage?

Energy storage encompasses an array of technologies that enable energy produced at one time, such as during daylight or windy hours, to be stored for later use. LPO can finance commercially ready projects across storage technologies, including flywheels, mechanical technologies, electrochemical technologies, thermal storage, and chemical storage.

Does storage reduce electricity cost?

Storage can reduce the cost of electricity for developing country economies while providing local and global environmental benefits. Lower storage costs increase both electricity cost savings and environmental benefits.

How many battery energy storage projects are there?

The U.S. has 575 operational battery energy storage projects 8, using lead-acid, lithium-ion, nickel-based, sodium-based, and flow batteries 10. These projects totaled 15.9 GW of rated power in 2023 8, and have round-trip efficiencies between 60-95% 24.