Dive Brief:
- AES Energy Storage Thursday released a new modular energy storage package that the company believes can replace natural gas-fired peaking plants. The company is targeting a capital cost for the battery systems of $1,000/kW compared with $1,350/kW.
- AES' new storage package, which for the first time can be bought by third parties, can range from 10s to 100s of megawatts and can provide power from 30 minutes to more than four hours.
- Meanwhile, SolarCity's plans for widespread solar with energy storage will be able to provide a range of services to utilities, according to the company. The batteries could be used to provide peaking resources to the grid.
Dive Insight:
As more energy storage gets deployed, its costs will fall, it will gain commercial and regulatory acceptance, and it will begin encroaching on alternative technologies like conventional power plants. Sounds like disruption 101.