Base year costs for utility-scale battery energy storage systems (BESSs) are based on a bottom-up cost model using the data and methodology for utility-scale BESS in (Ramasamy et al., 2023). The bottom-up BESS model accounts for major components, including the LIB pack, the inverter, and the balance of system (BOS) needed for the installation.
This study shows that battery electricity storage systems offer enormous deployment and cost-reduction potential. By 2030, total installed costs could fall between 50% and 60% (and battery cell costs by even more), driven by optimisation of manufacturing facilities, combined with better combinations and reduced use of materials.
The national laboratory is forecasting price decreases, most likely starting this year, through to 2050. Image: NREL. The US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has updated its long-term lithium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS) costs through to 2050, with costs potentially halving over this decade.
Given the range of factors that influence the cost of a 1 MW battery storage system, it’s difficult to provide a specific price. However, industry estimates suggest that the cost of a 1 MW lithium-ion battery storage system can range from $300 to $600 per kWh, depending on the factors mentioned above.
Lithium-ion battery costs for stationary applications could fall to below USD 200 per kilowatt-hour by 2030 for installed systems. Battery storage in stationary applications looks set to grow from only 2 gigawatts (GW) worldwide in 2017 to around 175 GW, rivalling pumped-hydro storage, projected to reach 235 GW in 2030.
Battery lifetimes and performance will also keep improving, helping to reduce the cost of services delivered. Lithium-ion battery costs for stationary applications could fall to below USD 200 per kilowatt-hour by 2030 for installed systems.