Current status and vision of energy storage batteries

Are EVs the future of battery storage?

EVs accounted for over 90% of battery use in the energy sector, with annual volumes hitting a record of more than 750 GWh in 2023 – mostly for passenger cars. Battery storage capacity in the power sector is expanding rapidly.

What is the future of battery storage?

Batteries account for 90% of the increase in storage in the Net Zero Emissions by 2050 (NZE) Scenario, rising 14-fold to 1 200 GW by 2030. This includes both utility-scale and behind-the-meter battery storage. Other storage technologies include pumped hydro, compressed air, flywheels and thermal storage.

How big is battery storage capacity in the power sector?

Battery storage capacity in the power sector is expanding rapidly. Over 40 gigawatt (GW) was added in 2023, double the previous year’s increase, split between utility-scale projects (65%) and behind-the-meter systems (35%).

How many batteries are used in the energy sector in 2023?

The total volume of batteries used in the energy sector was over 2 400 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2023, a fourfold increase from 2020. In the past five years, over 2 000 GWh of lithium-ion battery capacity has been added worldwide, powering 40 million electric vehicles and thousands of battery storage projects.

Will 2024 be a good year for battery energy storage?

Among many things, 2024 will probably remain a marker for the momentum it built up for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). So sharp has been the pick up here that even countries like the UK which had special focus on Pumped Hydro Storage (PSP) have changed rules in recent weeks to allow BESS projects to fill key energy storage needs.

When can battery storage be used?

Storage can be employed in addition to primary generation since it allows for the production of energy during off-peak hours, which can then be stored as reserve power. Battery storage can help with frequency stability and control for short-term needs, and they can help with energy management or reserves for long-term needs.