U.S. Battery-Storage Developers Await $2.8 Billion in 2Q Kickoffs

Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Utility-scale battery-storage capacity across the U.S. is expected to increase significantly over the next three years, reaching 30 gigawatts (GW) by the end of 2025, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The remarkable growth of battery energy-storage systems (BESS) is fueled by their frequent pairing with solar- and wind-energy facilities, for which they store extra energy to be used when wind and solar sources are weak. Industrial Info is tracking about $2.8 billion worth of active BESS projects across the U.S. that are set to begin construction in the second quarter, which Industrial Info's researchers believe have a medium-to-high likelihood (70% or more) of beginning as planned.

Click on the image at right for a graph detailing U.S.-based BESS projects that are set to kick off from April through June, by plant parent company.

Most BESS projects are attached to facilities that generate power for the electric grid, but a growing number are being developed by individual companies for their factories. One of the highest-valued BESS projects set to begin construction next quarter is Tesla Incorporated's (NASDAQ:TSLA) (Austin, Texas) $160 million BESS unit for its Cybertruck Gigafactory in Austin, Texas, which is expected to generate 131.5 megawatts (MW) for the production of Tesla's much anticipated pickup truck model. Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Industrial Manufacturing Project Database can learn more from a detailed project report.

The Cybertruck already boasts more than 1.5 million pre-orders, so the Austin Gigafactory will be busy. Elon Musk, the chief executive officer of Tesla, said in a recent earnings-related conference call that he expects production to begin "sometime this summer," with high-volume production more likely as 2024 nears. Tesla also is pushing for the domestic development of lithium, a key component in BESS and electric-vehicle systems. For more information, see March 14, 2023, article - U.S. Working to Catch Up in Strategic Lithium Race.

The U.S. Rocky Mountains leads among domestic market regions in the total investment value attributed to second-quarter BESS project starts, including two projects co-located at renewable energy-generation facilities. One is being developed by EDF Renewable Energy (San Diego, California), a subsidiary of Electricite de France S.A. (Paris, France): the $130 million BESS addition to the Chuckwalla Solar Farm near Las Vegas, Nevada, which is expected to store up to 180 MW alongside the 250-MW solar farm. Both are expected to finish construction toward the end of 2024. Subscribers can read detailed reports on the BESS unit and solar plant.

Similarly, NextEra Energy Incorporated (NYSE:NEE) (Juno Beach, Florida) is developing a $60 million BESS unit for its Babbitt Ranch Energy Center near Flagstaff, Arizona, which is expected to generate 161 MW from a windfarm and 60 MW from a solar farm. The energy is being generated and stored for the Salt River Project, a utility cooperative that provides water and power to much of central Arizona. Subscribers can read detailed reports on the BESS unit, windfarm and solar farm.

The Great Lakes region is hosting several major BESS projects, including Macquarie Group Limited's (Sydney, New South Wales) $140 million Marion County Hybrid Energy Facility in Marion Township, Ohio, which is expected to generate 100 MW from a solar plant and store 20.3 MW in a BESS unit. The project is expected to take about 12 months to complete. Subscribers can learn more from Industrial Info's project report.

Invenergy LLC (Chicago, Illinois) is preparing to begin construction on a $90 million BESS unit for its $300 million Solar Energy Center in Darien, Wisconsin. The BESS unit will hold up to 75 MW for the 250-MW solar-generation facility. Wisconsin's Public Service Commission unanimously approved Wisconsin Public Service's purchase of the Darien complex in December. Subscribers can read detailed reports on the BESS unit and solar farm.

Subscribers to Industrial Info's GMI Project Database can click here for a full list of detailed reports for projects mentioned in this article, and click here for a full list of related plant profiles.

Subscribers can click here for a full list of reports for active BESS projects across the U.S. that are set to begin construction in the second quarter, which have a 70% or more probability of beginning as planned.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) platform helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking more than 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 trillion (USD).