Clean Energy 101: How Batteries Can Support Grid Reliability

The briefing examines how battery energy storage systems (BESS) can replace fossil fuel generation to ensure grid reliability. It details three primary functions of batteries: balancing variable renewable energy supply and demand, providing stability services like frequency and voltage regulation, and enabling 'black start' capabilities to restore power after blackouts. The author contends that batteries often offer lower costs and faster response times than thermal plants. To maximize these benefits, the document recommends that utilities conduct analytical studies to identify specific reliability needs and utilize all-source procurement processes to ensure the most cost-competitive resources are selected.

• Battery energy storage systems can perform the same reliability functions as gas power plants, often at a lower cost and with faster response times than thermal plants.
• Batteries support grid health through three primary mechanisms: balancing variable renewable energy (such as wind and solar) to align supply and demand in real time, providing stability services (frequency, voltage, and reactive power regulation), and providing 'black start' services to re-energize the grid after a blackout.
• Real-world applications demonstrate battery effectiveness: in December 2023, batteries in the California electric grid (CAISO) provided over 8 GW over 5 hours, and on September 6, 2023, batteries provided stability support during a level two Energy Emergency Alert in the Texas utility grid (ERCOT).
• To optimize reliability and cost, utilities should move away from pre-supposing fossil fuel solutions and instead use analytical studies and all-source procurement. An example is the UK's National Grid ESO, which created specialized markets for stability services where advanced batteries provided the most cost-competitive bids, sometimes beating synchronous condenser technologies.

APA

RMI (2024). Clean Energy 101: How Batteries Can Support Grid Reliability. https://rmi.org/resources/clean-energy-101-how-batteries-can-support-grid-reliability/

Chicago

RMI. Clean Energy 101: How Batteries Can Support Grid Reliability. 2024. https://rmi.org/resources/clean-energy-101-how-batteries-can-support-grid-reliability/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=RMI |title=Clean Energy 101: How Batteries Can Support Grid Reliability |date=31 July 2024 |url=https://rmi.org/resources/clean-energy-101-how-batteries-can-support-grid-reliability/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rmi2024clean, author = {{RMI}}, title = {{Clean Energy 101: How Batteries Can Support Grid Reliability}}, institution = {RMI}, year = {2024}, month = jul, url = {https://rmi.org/resources/clean-energy-101-how-batteries-can-support-grid-reliability/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }