Low-cost lithium battery energy storage investment

How much does lithium ion battery energy storage cost?

Statistics show the cost of lithium-ion battery energy storage systems (li-ion BESS) reduced by around 80% over the recent decade. As of early 2024, the levelized cost of storage (LCOS) of li-ion BESS declined to RMB 0.3-0.4/kWh, even close to RMB 0.2/kWh for some li-ion BESS projects.

Why is energy storage more expensive than alternative technologies?

High capital cost and low energy density make the unit cost of energy stored ($/kWh) more expensive than alternatives technologies. Long duration energy storage traditionally favors technologies with low self-discharge that cost less per unit of energy stored.

What will be the cheapest energy storage technology in 2030?

By 2030, the average LCOS of li-ion BESS will reach below RMB 0.2/kWh, close to or even lower than that of hydro pump, becoming the cheapest energy storage technology. Database contains the global lithium-ion battery market supply and demand analysis, focusing on the cell segment in the ESS sector.

What is a lithium ion battery?

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are a class of commercialized electrochemical batteries that include lithium in the active materials in the positive electrode of the battery.

What is the levelized cost of Storage (LCOS) metric?

The levelized cost of storage (LCOS) ($/kWh) metric compares the true cost of owning and operating various storage assets. LCOS is the average price a unit of energy output would need to be sold at to cover all project costs (e.g., taxes, financing, operations and maintenance, and the cost to charge the storage system).

Is a vanadium-flow battery energy storage system cost-effective?

In May 2023, industry experts claimed a vanadium-flow battery energy storage system (VFB ESS) displayed cost-effectiveness, with an LCOS lower than RMB 0.2/kWh. In mid-2023, some manufacturers predicted the LCOS of li-ion BESS to decrease by 50% to RMB 0.2/kWh by the end of 2025.