New Energy and Energy Storage Policy

Does state energy storage policy matter?

While decisions carried out by federal regulators and regional market operators have an impact on state energy storage policy, state policymakers—and state legislators in particular—are instrumental in enacting policies that remove barriers to adoption and encourage investment in storage technologies.

Does the energy storage strategic plan address new policy actions?

This SRM does not address new policy actions, nor does it specify budgets and resources for future activities. This Energy Storage SRM responds to the Energy Storage Strategic Plan periodic update requirement of the Better Energy Storage Technology (BEST) section of the Energy Policy Act of 2020 (42 U.S.C. § 17232 (b) (5)).

What are the different types of energy storage policies?

Approximately 17 states have adopted some form of energy storage policies, which broadly fall into the following categories: procurement targets, regulatory adaption, demonstration programs, financial incentives, and consumer protections. Below we give an overview of each of these energy storage policy categories.

What is a storage policy?

All of the states with a storage policy in place have a renewable portfolio standard or a nonbinding renewable energy goal. Regulatory changes can broaden competitive access to storage such as by updating resource planning requirements or permitting storage through rate proceedings.

How can States reduce regulatory barriers to energy storage?

States have also focused on removing regulatory barriers to adopting energy storage by requiring or authorizing utilities to consider energy storage in resource planning and by creating standards for connecting storage resources to the grid.

Why are energy storage resources important?

Energy storage resources have become an increasingly important component of the energy mix as traditional fossil fuel baseload energy resources transition to renewable energy sources. Currently 23 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, have 100% clean energy goals in place.