What are base year costs for utility-scale battery energy storage systems?

Base year costs for utility-scale battery energy storage systems (BESSs) are based on a bottom-up cost model using the data and methodology for utility-scale BESS in (Ramasamy et al., 2023). The bottom-up BESS model accounts for major components, including the LIB pack, the inverter, and the balance of system (BOS) needed for the installation.

Are battery energy storage systems worth the cost?

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are becoming essential in the shift towards renewable energy, providing solutions for grid stability, energy management, and power quality. However, understanding the costs associated with BESS is critical for anyone considering this technology, whether for a home, business, or utility scale.

How much does gravity based energy storage cost?

Looking at 100 MW systems, at a 2-hour duration, gravity-based energy storage is estimated to be over $1,100/kWh but drops to approximately $200/kWh at 100 hours. Li-ion LFP offers the lowest installed cost ($/kWh) for battery systems across many of the power capacity and energy duration combinations.

How much does a non-battery energy storage system cost?

Non-battery systems, on the other hand, range considerably more depending on duration. Looking at 100 MW systems, at a 2-hour duration, gravity-based energy storage is estimated to be over $1,100/kWh but drops to approximately $200/kWh at 100 hours.

How much does a battery system cost?

CAES offers the lowest total installed cost ($16/kWh for a 1,000 MW, 100-hour system), followed by hydrogen ($34/kWh), PSH ($69/kWh), thermal ($70/kWh), and gravitational ($131/kWh). Battery systems offer a significantly higher cost at this power capacity and duration combination, in the range of $296/kWh (RFB) and $354/kWh (Li-ion NMC).

Are energy storage systems cost estimates accurate?

The cost estimates provided in the report are not intended to be exact numbers but reflect a representative cost based on ranges provided by various sources for the examined technologies. The analysis was done for energy storage systems (ESSs) across various power levels and energy-to-power ratios.