The renewable energy storage market is booming with innovations, and we're here to help you stay ahead of the curve by sharing our predictions for trends in energy storage in 2022. IHS Markit forecasted that following the growth we’ve seen in 2021, annual global installations for energy storage will exceed 20 GW in 2024 and 30 GW by 2030. We’ve looked into our crystal ball, and here are three trends you can expect in 2022:
Increased Demand for Uninterrupted Power In last year’s trends post, we noted that the need for uninterrupted power would be a major factor driving energy storage needs for some time. Businesses and municipalities need supplemental power to help avoid rolling brownouts and keep people safe during catastrophic weather events. We’ve seen this continue into 2021 and predict we will see a steep demand for renewable energy sources to support a global energy need.
One example from 2021 is the Texas Power Crisis in February, where winter storms left more than 4.5 million homes and businesses (over 10 million people) without power, some for multiple days. Other examples are in California where severe weather and fires have continued to threaten power outages. The need for more energy storage containers will continue to be driven by the very real need for businesses, utilities and governments to keep power flowing during high-impact weather events and the growing demand for more energy to power the needs of everyday life.
More Modularity
Modularity. Energy storage containers and enclosures are critical to protecting internal technology. In 2022, expect to see more versatile and configurable energy storage container designs that can fit in smaller spaces without losing capacity and can quickly scale for rapid deployment.
In contrast to traditional containers that were generally one piece and 30-50 feet long, modular energy storage containers are usually somewhere around 10 x 10 x 10 foot cubes that can be “joined together.” This innovative approach to energy storage can solve several challenges at once, making it a trend with a lot of staying power. (Power- see what we did there?!).
[Maysteel Custom Energy Storage Enclosure] Here’s why:
Customized for your space: Modular energy storage containers allow for a footprint that is a perfect fit for your technology and needs, rather than trying to make your technology and project fit a standard design. This makes it easier to meet future growth targets.
Scalability: In any growing industry, the ability to scale is critical. Using a modular approach to container design makes scaling production more manageable Consider this: If you need 10 to 12 large pieces every year, that’s possible for most fabricators (if they can accommodate the large size). But what happens when you find yourself needing 200 per year?
Durability: Modularity does not interfere with product durability. They can be designed to meet NEMA or IP standards and protect from the elements as a standard container would. Because they are custom, they can also be more robust.
If you’ve been relying on large containers made up of only one unit, it’s worth considering making the switch to modular.
Supply Chain Considerations
It’s no secret that supply chain constraints are on everyone’s mind right now. Unfortunately, this is another trend that may be with us for a while, eating up timelines and wreaking havoc on budgets. Many companies are taking a hard look at their supplier network and choosing suppliers who are closer to themselves and their customers.
Let’s look at energy storage enclosures and containers. Metal market costs are not something a supplier can control, but the time it takes to fabricate and ship containers could be — depending on their manufacturing footprint.
The harsh reality right now is that lead times with ship freight that used to be 12 weeks are up to 24 or even 30 weeks. What’s more, tracking products can be unreliable when they’re coming in via international container ships. If you’ve been thinking of changing to a supplier based in North America, this is a good time to do it. Close proximity makes it a lot easier to keep tabs on your project as it progresses, and improves communication.
The technology side of energy storage will also be affected by supply chain constraints resulting from increases in demand. IHS Markit wrote that “the outlook electric vehicle (EV) adoption is leading to increased constraints in the supply of Li-ion batteries.”
“Delays associated with supply tightness have not yet led to any significant reductions in the outlook for the industry and IHS Markit still expects installations to grow strongly as global supply of Li-ion batteries expands to meet demand,” says George Hilton, senior analyst, clean energy technology, IHS Markit.
Keep a close eye on your supply chain strategy for 2022.
What to keep in mind for energy storage in 2022
The demand for uninterrupted power, incorporating modular design into energy storage containers and enclosures and supply chain constraints for the technology and enclosure components of an energy storage system are all things to prepare for in 2022.
What trends are you predicting for 2022? Leave yours in the comments below!
Are you concerned about getting the right energy storage enclosure for your needs? We can help. Maysteel fabricates durable energy storage enclosures at scale at 5 locations throughout North America. Talk with our team today to get a quote!
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