Fact Sheet

Energy Storage is Key to Grid Reliability and Energy Cost Savings in the Midwest and Central United States

A new report by Aurora Research, commissioned by the American Clean Power Association, demonstrates a significant opportunity to strengthen grid reliability and lower energy system costs by deploying energy storage at scale across the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) region which spans the Midwest and Central United States.

Batteries provide instant dispatchable energy and complement renewable and thermal generation, balancing the grid and enhancing flexibility. Analysis of other electric markets shows that battery energy storage systems (BESS) benefit reliability by dispatching at times of highest system stress while freeing up thermal generation to more efficiently operate as base power.

As renewable generation grows, batteries charge when there is excess, low-cost energy and discharge during peak demand, effectively shifting generation to times when it is needed most.

Key takeaways:

10 GW of batteries in MISO could deliver billions of savings in energy costs
By 2035 energy storage could cut evening energy price spikes by more than 60%
Deploying 10+ GW of energy storage over the next decade is critical to reliability
More than 25 GW of batteries entered the MISO interconnection queue in 2024

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