LOS ANGELES—Energy storage through batteries is the next big wave in energy efficiency. According to Beth Fox, a partner in the law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, says that energy storage is the new frontier. Building owners are increasingly using batteries as a way to increase efficiency and cut back on energy consumption.
“Energy storage batteries are particularly good at shifting loads. If you use a lot of energy from 9 to 5, it might be more efficient and less expensive for you to fill up your battery with energy in the middle of the night and have the battery discharge during the day,” Fox tells GlobeSt.com. “That way, you are buying that power at off-peak rates and using it at on-peak times.”
Today, building owners are focused on adopting solar panels and achieving LEED certification in buildings. This is both a way to curb energy costs and achieve more efficiency. As a result, there is still a lot to be learned about how batteries can be used and incorporated into a property's energy plan. “Energy storage is really the next frontier. It is where solar was 10 years ago,” says Fox. “Batteries are still expensive, but people are thinking more and more about how they can install batteries and use them.”
In general, Fox has similar recommendations for building owners looking to incorporate this technology as she has for building owners adopting solar technology. While batteries are general purchased rather than leased, as solar panels can be, reputation and experience are the most important characteristics in finding a provider.
In the future, Fox imagines that batteries will be incorporated into a broader energy efficient system. “Batteries aren't quite at the level of solar panels where everyone is using them, but I think this is going to be the future too,” she adds. “You could actually devise a combined system where you have both solar power and a battery. You would use the solar panels to build up the battery and then discharge the battery when you need it.”
LOS ANGELES—Energy storage through batteries is the next big wave in energy efficiency. According to Beth Fox, a partner in the law firm
“Energy storage batteries are particularly good at shifting loads. If you use a lot of energy from 9 to 5, it might be more efficient and less expensive for you to fill up your battery with energy in the middle of the night and have the battery discharge during the day,” Fox tells GlobeSt.com. “That way, you are buying that power at off-peak rates and using it at on-peak times.”
Today, building owners are focused on adopting solar panels and achieving LEED certification in buildings. This is both a way to curb energy costs and achieve more efficiency. As a result, there is still a lot to be learned about how batteries can be used and incorporated into a property's energy plan. “Energy storage is really the next frontier. It is where solar was 10 years ago,” says Fox. “Batteries are still expensive, but people are thinking more and more about how they can install batteries and use them.”
In general, Fox has similar recommendations for building owners looking to incorporate this technology as she has for building owners adopting solar technology. While batteries are general purchased rather than leased, as solar panels can be, reputation and experience are the most important characteristics in finding a provider.
In the future, Fox imagines that batteries will be incorporated into a broader energy efficient system. “Batteries aren't quite at the level of solar panels where everyone is using them, but I think this is going to be the future too,” she adds. “You could actually devise a combined system where you have both solar power and a battery. You would use the solar panels to build up the battery and then discharge the battery when you need it.”
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