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What is battery energy storage?
Battery energy storage systems, or BESS, store electricity and release it back to the grid when it's needed most. They charge up when clean energy from wind and solar is produced in excess, and dispatch that power on the hottest summer afternoons, the coldest winter mornings, and during power outages. As Washington phases out coal and prepares for a future without fossil fuels, battery energy storage is a safe, proven, and efficient technology that keeps our grid reliable, affordable, and clean.
How does battery storage complement clean energy in Washington?
Washington ranks dead last among U.S. states in renewable energy growth over the past 20 years, and this puts us at risk of not meeting legally mandated goals set forth in the Clean Energy Transformation Act.
Battery energy storage is indispensable when it comes to building clean energy at scale — but in spite of that fact, Washington has only 25 megawatts of BESS capacity installed as of 2026. To put that in perspective, Texas has 14,984 megawatts of BESS capacity — over 3,000 times that of Washington! Addressing barriers to building battery energy storage will be critical to accelerating its use in Washington. We can get there together by making our voices heard and educating our networks and neighbors
Battery energy storage benefits our communities in many ways!
Represents a key piece of the clean energy puzzle
We cannot meet our local and state climate goals without robust energy storage infrastructure. Today’s energy storage systems are carefully sited and regulated and use well-understood battery technologies.
Makes our grid more resilient
Battery energy storage projects are designed to help alleviate congestion on Washington's antiquated transmission lines, particularly in high-demand areas like ours.
Stabilizes energy costs
As energy bills skyrocket, energy storage offers a tool to capture energy while it’s cheap and abundant — protecting families and businesses from scarcity-based price spikes.
Creates quality jobs
Battery energy storage projects can drive demand for hundreds of local construction jobs that are highly skilled and family-sustaining.
Minimizes disruptions to our daily lives
Advances in system design and monitoring help ensure that when severe weather impacts electricity distribution to our homes, battery energy storage delivers safe, reliable power in our communities.