Batteries in California have set a new record, discharging 29.52 GWh into the grid on Monday and becoming the largest source of supply for two hours, peaking at over 7 GW.
In recent months, batteries have become the dominant evening peak source in California, halving the need for gas compared to last year. Five years ago, the record was just 120 MW.
California now has over 10.3 GW of installed battery capacity, with 3.8 GW more planned by the end of 2024. However, the state needs around 52 GW of battery storage to meet its 2045 carbon-free target.
Batteries are crucial for a decarbonized grid but are still a small part of the mix in many places. Australia, for instance, has just over 2 GW of battery capacity.
With ongoing improvements in battery technology, more batteries will be deployed to support the grid, marking the beginning of widespread adoption.
We can do it!