Batteries at Work: The Many Roles of Energy Storage on the Grid

As energy storage surges across the U.S., it’s doing more than ever—balancing power flows, storing excess solar, and supporting a more flexible grid. The latest EIA data offers a snapshot of how storage is used today and where developers see the most value in the years ahead. These numbers highlight shifting priorities and reveal how the grid is evolving to meet rising demand and growing complexity.

Grid Stability Still Leads the Way
Two of the top uses for installed storage today are frequency regulation (67%) and arbitrage (65%)—helping balance short-term supply and demand, and buying low to sell high. These remain dominant even among proposed new projects, suggesting they’ll stay core to how storage supports grid operations in the near term.

Backup Power and Renewable Support Are on the Rise
While only 4% of installed storage is currently used for backup power, a full 21% of proposed capacity plans to serve that role. Similarly, co-located renewable firming jumps from just 9% of existing to 30% of upcoming capacity. These shifts hint at a bigger role for batteries in strengthening reliability—especially alongside solar and wind.

Planning for a More Flexible Grid
Proposed storage projects are thinking bigger: peak shaving jumps from 20% to 32%, voltage support nearly doubles (27% to 46%), and capturing excess solar and wind rises from 33% to 45%. These changes suggest grid operators are planning for a future where batteries aren’t just quick fixes—they’re foundational tools for resilience and flexibility.