USA: Energy Storage at Grid Scale: A123 Gets Li-Ion to Market

Revenue-generating, utility-scale energy storage projects are starting to come online—not just demonstrations.

SAN JOSE, California --- Reporting from the ESA (Energy Storage Association) annual event.

The big turnout and high energy at this year's event speaks to the progress, potential, and emerging businesses coming out of the utility-scale energy storage industry. California Assembly Member Nancy Skinner, the author of a pioneering energy storage bill, kicked off the event yesterday evening.

As we've discussed before, there is a lack of regulatory clarity when it comes to energy storage. Regulatory agencies like the FERC don't oppose storage -- they are looking to public comment and utilities to drive their policy.

While the FERC collects opinions and considers how storage should best be classified and regulated, pioneering entities like AES with batteries from A123 are deploying grid-tied utility-scale energy storage in real-world, non-demonstration projects.

Importantly, the projects are generating revenue.

I spoke with A123 VPs Chris Campbell (Marketing and Business Development) and Andy Chu (Marketing and Communications) at the ESA event.
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