Energy Storage − The Backbone of Renewable Energy Growth

The world is going through a complete energy shift. We’re quickly changing from finite fossil fuels to renewable sources at a rapid pace. But there are many roadblocks we face. 

One of the most difficult challenges of renewables is the intermittent nature of solar and wind energy. In simple words, the sun doesn't always shine and the wind doesn't always blow. 

There’s always a pinch of uncertainty. That’s where energy storage becomes the backbone of the transition towards renewable energy growth in the US and worldwide. But what exactly is energy storage technology, at what capacity are we currently operating and where do we have to be in the coming future? 

There are two parts to the renewable puzzle, energy capture and energy storage. This article looks at why the latter is just as important as the former.

What is Energy Storage?

In its simplest form, energy storage is the process of capturing and storing excess energy for later use to allow for a stable and reliable power supply.

It acts as a buffer, storing energy surplus when the supply is high and releasing it when needed. Without energy storage infrastructure, renewable energy integration would be significantly limited.

Energy storage allows for the benefits. 

• Grid stability – preventing power fluctuations and blackouts when renewables aren’t being powered by the sun/wind.

• Load shifting – enabling utilities to store cheap, off-peak energy and use it during times of demand.

• Decentralization – allowing for local, renewable energy systems and microgrids.

• Demand response & flexibility – enables better demand-side management by responding to real-time grid conditions and market signals.

Overall, the growth of renewable energy in the US and worldwide depends on the availability of scalable, efficient and cost-effective energy storage solutions.

Renewable Energy in the US & Energy Storage Capacity

The United States is experiencing unprecedented growth in renewable energy with solar energy leading the way. 

In 2024 alone, the country added 39.6 gigawatts of solar energy to the national grid, bringing the total installed capacity to approximately 179 gigawatts or GWs. As a result, solar now contributes over 7.13% of the nation's total electric supply. It seems small for now, but its projected by 2035, solar will account for 40% of total energy production.

Wind energy is also catching up with 7.1 GW of capacity installed in 2024, pushing the total wind output to 153.8 GW. Texas continues to be the leader in wind energy, producing 28% of the nation's total production. Overall, wind energy contributes 17.8% of total energy production in the US.

Other renewable energy sources in the US include the following.

• Biomass - 61.1%

• Hydro - 10.5%

• Geothermal - 1.4%

The battery storage capacity in the US is also advancing at a rapid pace along with renewable production capacity. Over the past year, US battery storage capacity nearly doubled, with the US adding 8.4 GW and bringing the total to 26.3 GW of storage capacity. 

This rapid expansion is acting as a critical factor for the growth of solar and wind energy as investors feel more confident with the storage solutions.

Leading Renewable Energy Storage Technologies

There are a number of different technologies used in energy storage depending on the application and requirements. Let’s take a look at some of the most used ones as of 2025.

Battery Energy Storage Solutions (BESS)

Batteries are by far the fastest growing segment of energy storage, thanks to their efficiency, scalability and number of perspective innovations. The sector is currently being dominated by lithium-ion batteries but other exciting technologies are rapidly emerging.

Lithium-ion Batteries

Lithium-ion or Li-ion batteries are considered to be the principal technology when it comes to BESS thanks to their high energy density, efficiency and rapidly declining costs. 

They are being widely used in all sorts of applications ranging from electric vehicles to large-scale grid storage. Li-ion solutions leading the US market include Tesla's Megapack and Fluence's Gridstack.

Sodium-Ion Batteries

Sodium-ion batteries are emerging as a promising alternative to lithium battery tech. Shifting from lithium to abundantly available sodium as the base material aims to reduce material costs and supply chain concerns associated with lithium. 

Additionally, sodium-ion batteries offer better performance at lower temperatures, making them suitable for a broader range of environments. They also provide better security characteristics, further enhancing their appeal.

Flow Batteries

Flow batteries, such as vanadium redox and iron-flow types, are gaining attention for long-duration energy storage applications. These innovative solutions store energy in liquid electrolytes stored in external tanks. This allows for massively scalable storage capacity and extended discharge times. ESS Inc. are at the forefront of this rapidly evolving tech, offering battery solutions that provide up to 12 hours of energy storage capacity.

Future of Battery Technologies

Beyond these established systems, several other innovative battery technologies are under development.

• Solid State Batteries 

• Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

• Iron-Air Batteries

With the unprecedented growth of renewable energy, the evolution of BESS tech is essential. As research progresses, these new systems are poised to play an increasingly vital role in the global transition toward renewable energy and grid modernization.

Pumped Hydro Storage

Pumped hydro storage is the oldest and most established form of energy storage and accounts for around 95% of global storage capacity. This system operates on a simple principle – using surplus energy to pump water to a higher elevation and then releasing it back to generate more power. The U.S. has over 22.6 GW of pumped hydro capacity, with new projects commonly becoming under development.

Limitations & Roadblocks in Energy Storage

The development of BESS is essential if the world wants to move towards renewable energy sources and a more greener, sustainable future. However, there are a number of limitations and hurdles hindering progress in this field.

Lack of Available Talent

One of the most critical challenges is the lack of skilled talent in battery storage. This slows down innovations and delays timelines as companies struggle to find experts in battery engineering and energy storage systems. 

Companies like us, Fruition IT, are working hard to fill this gap by finding, training and connecting experts in energy storage with companies in need.

Supply Chain Challenges

The heavy reliance on rare metals such as cobalt and lithium makes it a supply chain nightmare for companies to find sustainable sources. These metals are extremely finite and concentrated in specific regions. This leads to potential shortages and geopolitical dependencies. As well as this the description of large-scale land high in these materials is happening at an alarming rate.

Safety Concerns

Ensuring the safety of BESS over their operational lifespan is a critical challenge. Risks such as thermal runaway and fire hazards necessitate rigorous safety protocols and continuous monitoring, adding to the complexity and cost of deployment.

Closing Down

When it comes to the growth of renewable energy in the US, energy storage is the second half of the puzzle we need to solve.

With continued technological advancements, market expansion and companies like Fruition IT filling the talent gap, energy storage will define the future of clean energy.