The U.S. solar industry has set a target to expand energy storage capacity significantly by 2030, aiming to support the demand for electricity from energy-intensive sectors such as data centers.
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has proposed deploying 700 gigawatt-hours of energy storage on the grid by the end of the decade, surpassing current forecasts by approximately 55 percent. This expansion is essential to enable zero-emission energy sources like wind and solar to meet increasing power needs by storing electricity when generation is high and releasing it when demand peaks.
There is 83 GWh of installed energy storage capacity in the United States, including nearly 500,000 distributed storage installations, according to Wood Mackenzie. Forecasts show that U.S. storage capacity is expected to reach 450 GWh by 2030.
“The U.S. storage market is at an inflection point, but with the mix of policy support and private, state and federal collaboration, we can achieve SEIA’s storage targets while creating jobs and ensuring reliable, around the clock power for every home and business in this county,” said Joan White, SEIA’s director of storage and interconnection.
Large energy consumers have increasingly turned to nuclear, geothermal, and natural gas power plants to address rising electricity demands. However, advancements in energy storage, particularly lithium-ion battery technology, present an opportunity to integrate more renewable energy into the grid. By effectively storing and dispatching power, energy storage systems can reduce reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to a cleaner energy future.
SEIA envisions that 20 percent of energy storage installations will occur in residential, commercial, and community sectors, while the remaining 80 percent will be directly connected to the grid. To achieve this vision, the association has urged policymakers and regulators to adopt policies that accelerate the expansion of energy storage infrastructure. Key measures include supporting domestic battery manufacturing, allowing storage to compete in wholesale electricity markets, establishing state-level procurement programs, and preserving federal incentives for energy storage projects introduced under the Inflation Reduction Act.
The policy landscape for renewable energy remains uncertain, particularly as former President Donald Trump has taken actions that could hinder clean energy growth. His recent executive action suspending federal leasing and permitting for wind projects signals a shift in federal energy policy priorities. Meanwhile, the push for faster permitting of energy infrastructure under his administration may benefit certain energy projects while posing challenges for renewable energy initiatives.
GreentechLead.com News Desk