Batteries

Long-duration energy storage

The biggest grid storage project using old batteries is online in Texas

Startup Element Energy set out to prove that second-life batteries could deliver cheaper energy storage safely and at scale.

By Julian Spector . 21 November 2024

Startup Element Energy installed 53 megawatt-hours of used electric vehicle batteries in West Texas earlier this year, the largest project of its kind so far. (Element Energy)

Energy storage

Arizona just added its biggest grid battery yet, with another coming soon

The state is shoring up clean energy supply for a new Google data center during a record year nationally for energy storage installations.

By Julian Spector . 20 March 2024
Batteries

Utah developer quadruples battery storage to meet new electricity demand

As data centers and electrification increase power use across the country, it's a move that will likely become more common.

By Julian Spector . 18 March 2024
Batteries

Finally, a way to tell how clean grid batteries actually are

Batteries can’t distinguish between clean and dirty electrons — a complication for transitioning grids. A Texas battery project shows how software and standards can help.

By Jeff St. John . 18 March 2024
Energy storage

Texas will add more grid batteries than any other state in 2024

With cheap land and a competitive market irresistible to energy storage developers, the Lone Star State will even overtake California in battery deployments this year.

By Julian Spector . 26 February 2024
Grid edge

California’s patchwork push to scale up virtual power plants

The state has created more ways for solar-and-battery-equipped homes to get paid to help the grid — but not enough to save the crashing rooftop solar market.

By Jeff St. John . 22 February 2024
Climatetech finance

Swell Energy acquires Renu to help build virtual power plants

The startup aims to combine privately owned batteries into grid resources. Renu, a regional battery installer, will help Swell access new markets.

By Eric Wesoff . 7 February 2024
Energy storage

Long wary of batteries, New York's now poised to go big on energy storage

Can community-scale battery installations hit the sweet spot for the country’s densest city? NineDot Energy has raised $225 million more to take a crack at it.

By Jeff St. John . 22 January 2024
Energy storage

Hawaii used rooftop solar to shore up the grid. New rules threaten that

A nation-leading virtual power plant program helped keep the lights on when Oahu's coal plant shut down. But rule changes may drive away future customers, advocates say.

By Julian Spector . 18 January 2024
Energy storage

Chart: The US grid battery fleet is about to double — again

America's energy storage industry is on a tear, installing batteries to store clean wind and solar and make the grid more reliable.

By Julian Spector, Maria Virginia Olano . 12 January 2024
Energy storage

A huge battery has replaced Hawaii's last coal plant

Plus Power’s Kapolei battery is officially online. The pioneering project is a leading example of how to shift crucial grid functions from fossil-fueled plants to clean energy.

By Julian Spector . 10 January 2024