Energy Storage in California

The document outlines California's energy storage strategy, highlighting the progress made toward early procurement goals and the significant capacity increases needed by 2050. It details various storage technologies, the impact of legislative mandates like AB 2514, and the barriers to further deployment, including market rules and the need for long-duration storage to support renewable integration.

• California is on track to meet its initial energy storage procurement target of 1,325 MW by 2020, with the California Public Utilities Commission reporting statewide procurement of over 1,500 MW.
• Future energy storage needs in California are projected to grow substantially to support a clean energy grid, with expert estimates suggesting a minimum of 10,000 MW by 2030 and at least 30,000 MW by 2040.
• Energy storage technologies vary by capacity and duration: batteries are versatile but not yet cost-effective for long-duration needs, while pumped hydropower and compressed air can meet long-duration needs but face geographical and cost constraints.
• California has implemented equity-focused policies, such as the Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP), which provides $830 million through 2025 to support behind-the-meter storage, including in low-income communities and areas vulnerable to wildfires.
• Several barriers hinder storage deployment in California, including the need for technological innovation in long-duration bulk storage, the need to refine market rules to recognize storage as a transmission asset, and the risk that improper storage operation could increase net emissions.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2020). Energy Storage in California. https://ucs-documents.s3.amazonaws.com/clean-energy/energy-storage-in-california-explainer.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. Energy Storage in California. 2020. https://ucs-documents.s3.amazonaws.com/clean-energy/energy-storage-in-california-explainer.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=Energy Storage in California |date=September 2020 |url=https://ucs-documents.s3.amazonaws.com/clean-energy/energy-storage-in-california-explainer.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists2020energy, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{Energy Storage in California}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2020}, month = sep, url = {https://ucs-documents.s3.amazonaws.com/clean-energy/energy-storage-in-california-explainer.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }