10,000 MW large-scale battery power capacity to be added to the grid from 2021-23, EIA says

The U.S. could add 10,000 MW of large-scale battery power capacity from 2021-23 – 10 times the total in 2019 – according to a new report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

EIA expects most of the new storage capacity to come from systems co-located or connected to solar projects. By the end of 2020, most large-scale battery storage systems were built as standalone facilities.

Based on planned projects by utilities over the next two years, U.S. battery storage that is co-located with generation is expected to increase from 30% to 60%.

“Growth in U.S. battery systems is critical as the United States faces new hurdles to reliable electricity delivery,” said EIA Acting Administrator Steve Nalley. “Energy stored in batteries can react to second-to-second fluctuations in the electric grid, protecting grid power quality and improving the grid’s efficiency.”

U.S. battery power capacity reached 1,650 MW by the end of 2020, a 35% increase.

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