Battery storage capacity in C&I segment to reach 124 GWh by 2030: Report

In the emerging era of clean energy, Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are recognized as an essential component of smart energy management, not only inside public grids and at consumers' premises, but also being adopted by Commercial and Industrial (C&I) enterprises as key building blocks of their smart energy strategies. 

According to a new report from global technology intelligence firm ABI Research, the worldwide aggregated battery storage capacity in the C&I segment will reach 124 GWh by 2030, registering a CAGR of 31.6 percent. 

The analysis report titled "Battery Energy Storage Systems for Enterprises and Industries: Renewables Buffering, Pricing Volatility Mitigation, and Power Resilience" is part of the ABI Research's 'Smart Energy for Enterprises and Industries' research service, bringing out an in-depth analysis of key market trends and factors for specific technologies. 

"Battery storage offers a wide range of benefits, ranging from buffering unpredictable renewable energy generation and addressing volatile pricing to higher levels of energy availability, quality, resilience, independence, and flexibility", said Dominique Bonte, VP of End Markets and Verticals at ABI Research.

"Additionally, C&I BESS systems are instrumental in meeting sustainability and decarbonization targets and play a critical role in stabilizing public grids", he added. The industrial segment currently represents more than 60 percent of all BESS C&I capacity, with mining operations and hyper-scaler data centers as the main early adopters and leading innovators.

Further, the report makes key suggestions for commercial and industrial enterprises to derive the maximum operational and financial benefits from battery storage. One recommendation is to integrate BESS technology into the wider smart energy and buildings solutions, including energy management systems, public and micro-grids, EV charging and V2G, energy purchasing strategies, and cooling, security, and safety solutions.

Enterprises must also implement innovative technologies such as AI, IoT, and digital passports to optimize battery lifecycle management in terms of performance maximization and lifetime extension, along with preventive maintenance, second-life and recycling for their batteries.

The report also suggests the companies to choose battery suppliers that guarantee battery lifetime support and customized technology upgrades.

The global BESS market is currently dominated by Chinese suppliers such as BYD, Tecloman, CATL, Cubenergy, and LiFe-Younger, which largely control the sourcing of battery materials, minerals, and components. A more level international playing field is expected to develop in the future, it adds.