Full Title: Navigant Research Leaderboard Report: Li-Ion Grid Storage
Author(s): Anissa Dehamna and Mackinnon Lawrence
Publisher(s): Navigant Consulting
Publication Date: June 1, 2015
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):
The grid storage market has been developing more slowly than many expected over the past several years. However, rapidly decreasing prices for lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries have opened new markets and revenue-generating opportunities for stationary storage systems. At the same time, advances in storage system software and controls are turning storage systems into highly flexible resources capable of providing a variety of services to system owners and grid operators. In these evolving markets, Li-ion is emerging as the go-to technology for many system developers due to an attractive combination of energy density, efficiency, warranties, and price points.
The landscape of Li-ion battery manufacturers is diverse, with players ranging from small firms focused only on Li-ion technology to diversified, multinational corporations. Companies often specialize in one or more subchemistries of Li-ion, each of which has different operating characteristics and is better suited for certain applications on the grid. Leading companies offer solutions for various applications, including megawatt-scale utility systems and smaller, distributed systems for commercial and residential buildings. Distributed energy storage systems are gaining market traction and becoming an increasingly important part of the overall market due to a clearer business case and simpler engineering.