Californias Battery Capacity Surges from 500 MW in 2018 to Nearly 16,000 MW by 2025

The capacity of battery storage systems in California has dramatically increased from 500 MW in 2018 to nearly 16,000 MW by 2025. Almost a quarter of the total battery capacity in the US is located in California, with Texas following closely behind.

During the daytime, around 75% of the state’s electricity can be generated from solar panels. Batteries charge throughout the day and release energy in the evening when residents return home. At their peak, around 8 PM, batteries can supply up to 30% of the state’s energy needs.

In 2013, the California Public Utilities Commission mandated that three major utility companies in the state procure 1,325 MW of energy storage capacity by 2020 to support renewable energy goals and stabilize the grid.

«Our system is now significantly better equipped to handle extreme weather events,» stated Elliot Mainzer, CEO of the California Independent System Operator, which oversees electricity management across the state’s grid.

Texas has implemented energy arbitrage, allowing operators to generate profits by purchasing inexpensive solar energy and selling it at higher prices later the same day. Last year, Texas surpassed California in the growth rate of its energy storage market.

Professor Mark Jacobson from Stanford University found that on most days in 2025, solar, hydro, and wind energy facilities, bolstered by battery storage, will meet 100% of California’s energy demand. However, only 54% of the state’s electricity is generated from renewable resources. Since most lithium-ion batteries only provide power for about four hours, they are currently unable to replace baseline generation from gas, nuclear plants, or geothermal sources.