SF Climate Week Family Offices & Investors Summit

Russell Stated: I had the opportunity to attend SF Climate Week 2025 that explored why and how battery storage is becoming indispensable in today’s power system.

One conversation that really stood out to me emphasized that battery storage is no longer just a “nice-to-have,” but an essential part of modern grid infrastructure—both at the utility scale and the local edge. The speakers highlighted several key points:

An Aging Grid Driving New Costs:
Much of today’s grid dates back over a century. Upgrades and maintenance are becoming extremely expensive, and the time to connect new capacity is growing longer, creating significant economic hurdles.

Where Batteries Create Value:
Batteries help avoid high power-delivery charges, reduce delays in getting power online, and protect against tariff spikes—often paying for themselves in under three years.

Market Tailwinds for Storage:
The surge in demand from AI, data centers, and EV charging is straining grids. Batteries are critical to quickly relieving congestion and supporting intermittent renewable generation.

Strategic Applications:
Large, utility-scale battery farms balance generation and transmission, while smaller “edge” installations at places like EV charging stations manage local demand spikes efficiently.

Headwinds and Solutions:
Supply chain challenges have driven up battery costs. However, strategies like partnering with utilities, redesigning products to cut costs, and securing diversified supply chains are helping the industry adapt.

The combination of aging infrastructure, exploding electrification demand, and rising costs make battery storage fundamental to the future of energy systems.