What’s the Status of Battery Technology for Utility Scale Energy Storage?

Up until a few years ago, I regularly attended the advanced battery conferences, trying to figure out the state of battery technology  vis-à-vis its most important applications:  a) storing variable sources of energy (wind and solar) for utilities and consumers, and b) electric transportation.  Eventually I realized how fiercely technical the discussions were and that I couldn’t (and didn’t need to) grasp the details of dozens of different battery chemistries and the hundreds of related issues in materials science.

Getting at the truth is further complicated by the fact that industry spokespeople are notorious for over-inflating the truth about the progress they’re making.  Thus the phrase, “There are liars, damn liars, and battery salesmen.”

What to remark on this at a high level?  I’m sure legitimate progress is being made here—somewhere.  Don’t ask me exactly where it is.  A few years ago, I believed in all kinds of things that didn’t come true; I’ve long since given up trying to sort out truth from fiction. I won’t name any names, but readers are invited to look back at old blog posts and webinars here, and ask themselves, “Hmmm. They made claim X, and that was Y years ago.  Where are they now?”

Another data point is this article from Kauai (pictured), where they are building a 25 MW pumped hydro facility after disappointing results with utility-scale batteries.

If anyone has more insight on this, please feel free to share it.