US Energy Storage Market Booms—With Growing Pains: 5 Trends

Global energy storage companies are shifting their focus towards the battery market in the United States, capitalizing on the transformative Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). However, they are encountering challenges related to scaling constraints in battery supply and accessing skilled workforce. Despite these obstacles, these firms are hopeful that external interventions will alleviate interconnection queues and policy uncertainties.

Troutman Pepper, a US law firm, has released a recent industry insight report titled “Taking Charge: Inside the US Battery Boom,” which highlights the accelerating plans of companies in the US battery storage sector following the implementation of the IRA. The report also acknowledges the “growing pains” that the market will face in the future.

The report draws upon the perspectives of various stakeholders involved in funding, developing, advising, and operating battery storage assets in the US. Given the current limitations in battery supply and workforce, which are expected to worsen as the sector rapidly expands, these experts have identified short-term solutions while awaiting the implementation of long-term measures outlined in the IRA. These interim measures include competing for battery supply from Asian manufacturers until US battery gigafactories are established and leveraging external consultants to alleviate capacity bottlenecks in early-stage project development.

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Market participants are also optimistic that intervention from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Department of Treasury will address challenges related to interconnection lines and uncertainties surrounding key elements of the IRA, such as tax credit transferability.

The ITC as the primary catalyst

The report emphasizes that the compounding nature of these market challenges reflects the positive response of the global industry to the IRA. Less than six months after its enactment, the US Energy Information Administration reported a significant increase in battery storage projects under development. The pipeline capacity, which reached 26.5GW in February—a 58% increase from before the IRA—is expected to continue expanding throughout 2023.

Troutman Pepper's report highlights that the introduction of an investment tax credit (ITC) for standalone battery storage projects has been the primary catalyst behind this growth. This policy change has not only attracted a wave of viable storage projects to the market but has also provided developers with greater flexibility across their portfolios. Additionally, it has encouraged higher installed capacities and created a favorable environment for investors.

John Leonti, partner and co-leader of the Energy Industry Group at Troutman Pepper, expressed his observations on the energy storage sector and stressed the importance of collaboration for success. He noted that while the industry is currently thriving, the surge in project development following the IRA has placed additional strain on the supply chain.

“Collaboration is a well-worn industry motto, but it really does sit at the heart of battery storage’s path to success in the US,” Leonti stated. “The market needs fine-tuned specialist expertise to demonstrate that it’s possible to act smartly and quickly, without acting in haste. It’s heartening to find, through this report, that optimism in the market remains high, and we look forward to the challenges that will accompany the sector’s success.”

Five trends that will shape the sector

The report concludes with Troutman Pepper’s forecast of five post-IRA investment trends expected to shape the sector in the years ahead:

“Taking Charge: Inside the US Battery Boom” can be downloaded here.