Energy generation from hydrocarbons or renewables is stored in batteries, which are then deployed to homes, industrial sites and hospitals. Batteries provide a foundation and are a stabilizing force to the grid. This will drive the efficient use of power generated from those sources.    

In this model, hydrocarbon peaker plants or even diesel and natural gas generators can run intermittently to fully charge the battery, which drives a more economical use of those energy generation resources. With a battery-first approach, all variable renewables, such as wind and solar, are captured and stored in a battery, which ensures every bit of energy generated is there for future use. This battery-first approach enables long-duration energy storage (LDES) that can be scaled in size and duration to meet the needs of utilities, commercial and industrial, military bases and emergency response applications. Battery assets can be used to level the grid and drive efficiency. This takes batteries from being a side-kick to playing a central role in energy security in the U.S. 

In a previous blog of this series, the myths of centralized grids being untouchable and batteries relegated to a side-kick status were deemed FALSE. Microgrids, and specifically the batteries that enable them, are the answer. We can create the energy ecosystem of the future with a battery-first design that drives efficient use of power generated from renewable and carbon-based sources.   

This is the sweet spot for the domestic battery industry. This is where we can Use Our Competitive Advantage and where we should Focus our Investments and Innovation. When a storm upsets the grid, our technology keeps the lights on. Factories produce, hospitals run, and people have the power they need to stay warm or cool. This is what will give us the energy resilience we need to weather storms or energy demands that trigger blackouts or brownouts.  

We are in a race to achieve energy resilience, but this isn’t a race for U.S. manufacturers against each other. This is a race against China, budget cuts and how fast we can expand capacity for lead batteries, scale up domestic lithium production and commercialize new battery tech like flow batteries. It’s also a race to take smart risks and invest in building tomorrow’s energy storage infrastructure today.  

So, how do we win the race? There is also a political reality we must address and a positive story we need to share with our representatives in Washington D.C. around what we do really well here in the U.S. – batteries.  

Stay tuned for the next part of this series, where we will dive into how the race to energy resilience will be won in Washington, D.C., with the battle for the hearts and minds of our leaders in D.C. to understand the value of our industry, operating in nearly every state, to help achieve lasting American Energy Dominance.