Batteries

Batteries

Gigantic Form Energy battery to power Google data center in Minnesota

The startup has struck a deal with Xcel Energy to build a 30 gigawatt-hour battery plant that will deliver clean energy, round the clock, to a Google facility.

By Julian Spector . 24 February 2026
Batteries

Can a big battery help Boston save billions on the power grid? Maybe.

Grid operators don’t readily let batteries stand in for costly transmission upgrades, but this massive Massachusetts project could spur them to reconsider.

By Jeff St. John . 23 February 2026
Batteries

Chart: Grid battery installations soared to a new high in 2025

The U.S. energy-storage sector has grown rapidly over the last few years as solar has expanded, costs have declined, and electricity demand has soared.

By Dan McCarthy . 20 February 2026
Guest essay

How solar and batteries help keep lights on during Texas winter storms

The recent boom in renewables and storage in Texas means its grid is much better prepared for bad weather than it was when Winter Storm Uri hit five years ago.

By Tam Hunt . 19 February 2026
Virtual power plants

Why Xcel’s bid to reinvent the virtual power plant is so controversial

Most VPPs rely on customers’ solar and batteries. Xcel says its utility-owned alternative can do a better job in Minnesota — but critics question the cost.

By Jeff St. John . 17 February 2026
Batteries

NineDot Energy raises big money for small batteries in New York City

New York needs more reliable power, fast. NineDot’s $431 million in new financing will help solve that problem with batteries scattered across the city.

By Jeff St. John . 11 February 2026
Batteries

Chart: Surprise — batteries got cheaper again last year

The steady downward march of lithium-ion battery prices is one of the key stories of the energy transition. The trend continued last year.

By Dan McCarthy . 6 February 2026
Climatetech finance

Lunar Energy lands $232M to boost smart home batteries

The Silicon Valley startup wants to enter new markets, like Texas, and enroll more customers in virtual power plants that make the grid more reliable and affordable.

By Jeff St. John . 4 February 2026
Solar

North Carolina may use batteries to give new life to old solar farms

A Duke Energy proposal backed by clean energy groups would let older solar farms renew their expiring contracts on favorable terms — if they build storage.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 27 January 2026
Batteries

A Texas data center will open sooner thanks to an offline grid battery

While Eolian makes important upgrades to a 100-megawatt battery, the company will lend that grid connection to help CyrusOne’s data center get up and running.

By Julian Spector . 22 January 2026