With IRA Boost, Energy Storage Demand Likely To Surge Six-Fold: SEIA

With IRA Boost, Energy Storage Demand Likely To Surge Six-Fold: SEIA

The Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) has released a report stating that over the next one decade, lithium-ion battery would witness a surge in global demand due to the unprecedented investment in solar. This was attributed to the production incentives bolstered through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in the United States (US).

SEIA’s report titled, “Energizing American Battery Storage Manufacturing,” claims to be one of the first comprehensive examinations of the challenges and opportunities facing domestic energy storage production following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The report finds that the IRA is strengthening the competitiveness of American energy storage manufacturing, but domestic production is still expected to fall short of demand as early as 2025 without strategic action.

The lithium-ion battery is reportedly expected to witness a surge in global demand due to the investment in solar as a result of the IRA’s production incentives. Globally, the total demand for batteries in all applications, including solar and electric vehicles, will reportedly likely grow from roughly 670 GWh in 2022 to over 4,000 GWh by 2030, the report said. While the US demand for battery energy storage systems (BESS) is expected to increase over six-fold from 18 GWh to 119 GWh by 2030. It adds that, the US manufacturing capacity for all lithium-ion battery applications is currently at 60 GWh.

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Globally, total demand for batteries in all applications, including solar and electric vehicles, will, as per the study grow from roughly 670 GWh in 2022 to over 4,000 GWh by 2030. The US manufacturing capacity for all lithium-ion battery applications is currently at 60 GWh. The research also found the biggest barrier to spurring energy storage manufacturing is the cost and availability of raw materials. It states that, the phosphorus and lithium from the United States and its trading partners are available in sufficient quantities, the availability of graphite and other processed materials, like cathode and anode active materials, could create a shortfall.

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The report addresses the barriers to building energy storage manufacturing sector in the United States. It included cost competitiveness, access to raw materials, technical expertise, and the need for a large, diverse workforce.
“America’s ability to lead the global clean energy transition and boost grid reliability depends on how quickly we scale domestic production and deploy battery storage technology,” said SEIA president and CEO Abigail Ross Hopper.

“This report illustrates the competitive landscape of energy storage manufacturing and articulates the challenges the U.S. must address in order to reduce our reliance on battery imports and enhance energy security.”

The US reportedly broadened its federal incentive program to include domestic manufacturing through new tax credits, grants, low-cost loans, government procurement, research and development support, and public-private partnerships. It means that, for energy storage, the IRA offers incentives to produce electrode active materials, battery cells, and battery modules.

These production incentives could reportedly reduce energy storage costs by 40% or more, helping to improve U.S. competitiveness. It anticipates that, if factories can access raw materials at reasonable costs and improve their production yields to 90%, the IRA incentives could make the US batteries cost competitive with products produced in China.

Report finds that, the manufacturers will face challenges like longer development times and training and recruitment to address workforce shortfalls. It adds that, the production elements including siting, permitting, constructing and commissioning new factories influence how quickly domestic manufacturing can scale. These builders must work to recruit, train, and retain a high-quality workforce, focusing on roles for machine operators, production technicians, and mining, chemical, and electrical engineers. Properly training workers to understand and execute process improvements will increase production yields.

The study mentions that the use of effective state regulations and industrial policies can provide early-stage support for mining and refining of materials to ensure manufacturers can meet demand. It adds that, the state economic development offices are also positioned to unleash domestic energy storage production through incentive packages that reduce upfront costs and expedite project timelines.
Ms. Hopper continued, “Smart and strategic investments across the supply chain are needed because building a domestic energy storage base is a strategic imperative for U.S. energy security.”