Powering the grid of the future with energy storage
Energy storage supports a more reliable, affordable and flexible electric grid.
Less than a decade ago, there were fewer than 500MW of energy storage systems deployed across the entire United States. According to the first Energy Storage Market Outlook Report from the Solar Energy Industries Association, battery energy storage systems (BESS) installations surpassed 28,000MW/57,000MWh in 2025, a year over year increase of 29%. Energy storage deployment is skyrocketing because it contributes to a stronger, more reliable and resilient grid, and the cost to deploy the latest energy storage technologies continues to decline.
Energy storage comes in many forms, under the umbrella concept of leveraging some form of technology to store energy for later use. Encore deploys a proven and highly efficient energy storage technology using lithium-ion battery chemistry. This is the same fundamental chemistry found in many consumer electronics but engineered to the rigorous safety systems, monitoring and certifications specific to managing large energy loads. Batteries like these are housed in secure containers, charging from the grid when electricity is generated but not necessarily in high demand and discharging power later when it provides more value. Incorporating storage into our electrical grid transforms the way we deliver energy.
Encore currently has over 100MW of BESS in our development pipeline, representing over a dozen projects in four states.
Three ways storage works for you
Energy storage isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” solution. Depending on your land, it can provide value in several ways:
- Stand-Alone Storage: A dedicated facility that connects directly to your local grid. It takes up a small footprint but provides a massive service by stabilizing the local energy supply.
- Solar + Storage Hybrid: We build both at once. The solar panels capture solar energy during the day, and the batteries store it to be used after the sun goes down.
- The “Add-On” Strategy: If your land already hosts an operating solar farm, we can often add storage to the existing site. This adds rental revenue to your land without requiring significant new land prep.
Hosting an energy storage project on your land
One benefit of BESS for landowners interested in generating passive income from their land, is it requires a smaller footprint relative to solar. BESS projects require at least two acres of flat and dry land close to powerlines and the local substation. BESS projects typically have a lifespan of twenty five years, providing passive predictable income to the landowner.
How storage improves the grid
As mentioned above, energy storage technologies such as BESS facilitate the deployment of more clean energy because it separates energy generation and distribution. Storage answers the question of how we leverage solar power at night or wind energy without a breeze. It makes all electrons available as-needed.
Storage also supports air quality and grid health by lowering the need for peaker plants during times of high energy demand. Peaker plants often use expensive, high-emission methods of producing energy, including natural gas and oil. During periods of exceptionally high demand, such as the heat wave Vermont and other Northeastern states experienced in late June of 2025, storage demonstrates its value by saving ratepayers significant amounts of money while lowering the risk of blackouts.
Energy storage insights: Megawatts versus Megawatt hours
Every energy storage system has a power capacity and a duration of time for which it can discharge that power. The power capacity, or megawatts (MW), reflects the full strength of a battery energy storage system’s charge. Megawatt hours (MWh), on the other hand, reflect the power capacity multiplied by duration. For example, a battery with a power capacity of 5 MW and a duration of 4 hours is a 20 MWh system.
The team at Encore Renewable Energy® is proud to be certified as a B Corp, joining over 3,500 other businesses worldwide who also share a commitment to social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.