With leading US energy storage markets on a phenomenal growth trajectory, the role of BESS has been highlighted by recent heatwaves.

The North American arm of Italy-based energy firm Enel has secured a PPA with a Boston Properties (BXP) for part of a solar-plus-storage project in the ERCOT, Texas market, which has a 104MW BESS.

CPS Energy, a municipal utility serving San Antonio, Texas, has launched a request for proposals (RFP) for up to 500MW of energy storage projects.

Enel North America has brought five battery energy storage system (BESS) projects online in ERCOT, Texas, totalling 369MW/555MWh of energy storage.

Ikea stores owner Ingka Investments has partnered with developer Apex Clean Energy and system integrator Powin for a battery storage project in Texas, US, set to come online imminently.

Battery storage operators in the ERCOT, Texas market have vociferously opposed the grid operator’s proposed rule changes around state of charge information and availability (NPRR 1186).

Virtual power plant (VPP) projects using home batteries have been launched and extended in Texas, Vermont and California.

French multinational utility ENGIE has agreed to acquire the battery storage business of US developer Broad Reach Power.

While the demand for third-party battery energy storage system (BESS) optimisation services looks set to grow substantially, challenges for companies specialised in offering those services remain.

US power marketer Gridmatic has launched a US$50 million fund it will put towards managing third-party battery storage assets, including covering collateral requirements, it told Energy-Storage.news.