Interconnection queue data shows battery storage is finally the plurality technology in five out of seven ISO regions. We unpack what changed.
In Short
- Interconnection queue data shows battery storage is finally the plurality technology in five out of seven ISO regions. We unpack what changed.
In the first six months of 2026, U.S. utility-scale battery storage additions crossed 19 GW — more than every full year prior to 2024 combined.
What changed
Three things drove the acceleration:
- IRA §45X manufacturing credit fully in effect, meaningfully compressing lithium-cell landed cost.
- Interconnection reform (FERC Order 2023) clearing the pre-2023 zombie queue.
- Corporate PPA appetite from hyperscalers who need firmed 24/7 clean energy.
Regional split
ERCOT still leads on absolute additions, but the fastest relative growth is in CAISO and NYISO, where duration is trending toward 6-hour and 8-hour systems.
