How many MW is battery energy storage?

In 2010, only 4 megawatts (MW) of utility-scale battery energy storage was added in the United States. In July 2024, more than 20.7 GW of battery energy storage capacity was available in the United States. Battery energy storage systems provide electricity to the power grid and offer a range of services to support electric power grids.

Are residential energy storage systems valuable?

With each passing year, US households install more residential energy-storage systems as storage prices fall and the value increases. These systems could be surprisingly valuable to local grid operators.

Is residential energy storage outpacing expectations?

The rapid growth of residential energy storage is outpacing expectations. While larger batteries are also critical segments of the energy-storage market, household systems will likely become important assets sooner than many expect.

Are utility-scale battery energy storage systems a source of electric power?

Utility-scale battery energy storage systems have been growing quickly as a source of electric power capacity in the United States in recent years. In the first seven months of 2024, operators added 5 gigawatts (GW) of capacity to the U.S. electric power grid, according to data in our July 2024 electric generator inventory.

Can used batteries be recycled?

Recycling used batteries is essential to reducing the environmental footprint of energy storage systems. Companies are already working on ways to recover valuable materials from used batteries and reuse them in new systems, making energy storage a more sustainable solution.

Could residential batteries be used to deliver Grid support services?

Residential batteries could be linked together and dispatched to deliver grid support services, much as utilities use demand-response programs and ancillary services resources today. Since the batteries are already in place, the marginal cost of dispatching residential energy storage resources could be quite low.