Stationary energy storage is critical to supporting a strong energy future – delivering the reliability, resilience, and sustainability our nation depends on. To meet diverse applications and growing demand, a variety of battery chemistries – including lead, flow, lithium, sodium, and zinc – is essential to support the evolving energy landscape.
Stationary energy storage is vital to the United States’ economic stability and infrastructure resilience. Demand from AI and other data-driven technologies is surging, with electricity consumption expected to quadruple between 2023 and 2030. As the nation faces unprecedented power needs, advanced battery technologies deliver the reliability and flexibility needed to balance supply and demand across all sectors.
From artificial intelligence and innovative technology to safeguarding critical operations and enhancing everyday convenience, batteries deliver dependable power where and when it’s needed most. Here are the key industries and applications where stationary energy storage plays a vital role:
Two battery-based stationary energy storage solutions are helping meet the nation’s growing energy demand:
Together, UPS and BESS form the backbone of a secure, modern energy system. Data center electricity consumption is expected to quadruple by 2030 due to explosive growth in AI and cloud computing, rising from under 150 TWh in 2023 to as much as 600 TWh.
At the same time, BESS deployment is scaling rapidly, with the global market projected to more than double by 2030 and installed capacity expanding from 200 GWh to 1,200 GWh. This growth is essential, as a single hyperscale data center can require up to 1 GW of power to operate.
Today’s battery technology landscape is rapidly evolving, with advancements across multiple chemistries including: lead, flow, lithium, sodium, and zinc. Each technology serving unique roles in meeting energy demands. Domestic manufacturing capacity is expanding, while grid upgrades and AI-driven optimization are transforming how storage systems are deployed and managed. Together, these developments create a more resilient stationary energy storage infrastructure.
Lead batteries are a proven, safe, and cost-effective solution for energy storage – backed by a strong domestic supply chain and a closed-loop recycling model. With a 99% recycling rate, they are one of the most sustainable technologies available and forecasts show lead battery sales for stationary storage include a compound annual growth rate of 2.8% through 2027. Recent innovations, including advanced battery management system (BMS) algorithms, have delivered 50–100% increases in throughput, further enhancing performance. Once installed, lead batteries can cost as little as one-third of comparable storage technologies, making them a reliable and economical choice for stationary applications.
CASE STUDY: Lead BESS technology supports critical neighborhood needs
The VICARS Community Center in Atlanta has strengthened its energy resilience with a lead BESS from Stryten Energy, paired with a solar installation to provide reliable power during outages and severe weather. Developed by Groundswell in collaboration with the Community Church, the hub builds on the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL) Breaking Barriers project to address the neighborhood’s critical needs. By efficiently capturing and storing renewable energy, this community resilience hub provides a vital safety net, demonstrating how lead and lithium-ion BESS technologies support grid stability and reliable power in underserved areas.
CASE STUDY: Lead UPS power backup supports mission-critical operations
A global data center partnered with C&D Technologies to implement a custom UPS power backup solution that would reliably support its mission-critical operations. By combining C&D’s XT-Series flooded batteries with Pure Lead Max units, the team engineered a flexible, high-performance configuration that met the data center’s exact technical specifications. The results: continuous power protection, reduced risk of downtime, and strengthened confidence in long-term operational resilience.
Flow batteries offer a safe, non-flammable alternative for energy storage, using liquid electrolytes that can also assist with heat management. Known for providing long-duration storage of 4–12+ hours, they deliver exceptional durability and stability over time. With advantages including scalability, long cycle life, inherent safety, and recyclability, flow batteries are an increasingly important option for applications that require reliable, sustained energy delivery.
CASE STUDY: Vanadium redox flow battery system with 99% uptime
Sumitomo Electric’s 2 MW / 8 MWh vanadium redox flow battery, deployed in California at San Diego Gas & Electric’s (SDG&E) Bonita facility, achieved a 99% operating rate in its final year of testing. The system demonstrated its capability to provide grid services and support a microgrid serving 66 residential and commercial customers for approximately five hours. With an expected capacity retention of over 90% for 20 years, this project underscores the viability of long-duration energy storage for grid stability and resilience.
CASE STUDY: Scalable, long-duration flow battery technology
Prometheus Hyperscale and XL Batteries are partnering to pilot a first-of-its-kind organic flow battery deployment at a U.S. data center in Wyoming. This flow battery technology stores positive and negative electrolytes in saltwater instead of relying on lithium, making it a scalable, long-duration, and eco-friendly alternative. Planned to launch in 2027 and expand through 2029, the project addresses the skyrocketing energy needs of AI and data infrastructure while avoiding the geopolitical and environmental risks associated with overseas lithium mining.
Lithium-ion batteries are the most widely deployed energy storage technology, valued for their high energy density, scalability, and efficiency. They deliver fast response times, making them ideal for both utility-scale projects and behind-the-meter applications. However, challenges remain, including risks of thermal runaway, limited recycling infrastructure, and reliance on imported critical minerals. Despite these hurdles, lithium-ion continues to dominate the market as a flexible and effective solution for modern energy storage needs.
CASE STUDY: Portable lithium-ion power for the modern mission
Bren-Tronics, an EnerSys company, has supplied advanced rechargeable batteries to the U.S. military for decades, with recent innovations focused on reshaping the battlefield energy strategy. Designed to be lightweight yet durable, these batteries extend mission duration for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) while also supporting their ground control systems. Bren-Tronics’ portable power technology enables vehicles equipped with these batteries to function as mobile charging stations in the field. This capability allows unmanned assets to recharge other critical equipment and handheld control systems, enhancing mission flexibility and reducing dependence on fixed power infrastructure.
Sodium-based batteries are an emerging class of energy storage technologies with strong potential for cost reduction and improved safety. Unlike lithium, sodium is abundant and widely available, making it a promising option for large-scale deployment. Sodium-ion batteries are still scaling, with particular potential for residential and distributed storage markets. Sodium-sulfur (NaS) batteries, on the other hand, are well-suited for utility and industrial-scale applications, offering high energy density and long cycle life. While NaS systems require high operating temperatures, they remain a proven solution for long-duration, grid-level energy storage.
CASE STUDY: Sodium-ion offers a scalable solution for grid storage
Sodium-ion batteries are emerging as a promising alternative to lithium-ion technology for large-scale energy storage. Backed by the Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity and led by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the newly launched Sodium-ion Alliance for Grid Energy Storage (SAGES) brings together national labs, universities, and industry partners to accelerate commercialization of this technology.
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