Climate-friendly electricity sees big battery projects soar again for 2024

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Associated Press or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Large-scale battery storage surged 71% in the U.S. in 2024, with 24 gigawatt-hours of capacity now operational
• Batteries are increasingly being used to store renewable energy and reduce reliance on polluting “peaker” power plants in urban areas

🔭 The context: Battery storage allows clean energy, such as solar and wind, to be stored and dispatched during high-demand periods, reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• States like California, Texas, Arizona, and Nevada are leading adoption, though most of the country lags behind

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Energy storage is key to a greener grid, enabling wider use of renewables and cutting emissions from inefficient backup plants
• This transition supports cleaner air and reduces climate-related risks

⏭️ What's next: Experts predict continued momentum in battery adoption, spurred by investments and technological advances
• Expanding to states with limited renewable energy use remains a priority to achieve broader decarbonization

💬 One quote: “Batteries are a really obvious solution to reducing the need for peaker plants” — Daniel Chu, NYC Environmental Justice Alliance

📈 One stat: 86% of the U.S.’s large-scale battery storage is concentrated in just four states, highlighting regional disparities in adoption

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