Nov 9, 2024 · Georgia Power has celebrated the commercial operation of its first "grid-connected" Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at the Mossy Branch facility. This system, with a
The systems are sanctioned by the Georgia Public Service Commission through the Integrated Resource Plan. Credit: Georgia Power. US-based electric utility Georgia Power has commenced construction of new battery energy storage systems (BESS) across the state of Georgia, totalling 765MW capacity.
In that filing, Georgia Power signaled its intention to solicit bids for more storage- another 500 MW- in the near future. Battery energy storage projects are popping up all over the U.S., which added nearly 4 GW of storage capacity in the second quarter of this year alone, according to a recent report.
Georgia Power first examined energy storage in its 2019 IRP, with approval to build, own and operate 80 MW of BESS at the time. Tristan is an Electrical Engineer with experience in consulting and public sector works in plant procurement. He has previously been Managing Editor and Founding Editor of tech and other publications in Australia.
Also notable is that Georgia Power is looking at longer duration energy storage, with 3,000 MW per year of 4-hour energy storage is projected to be added starting in 2028, while 3,000 MW per year of 12-hour energy storage is planned from 2033. Small-scale BESS boost
State resourcing plans are increasingly updating battery energy storage systems (BESS) plans, especially those tied to solar. US utility Georgia Power has filed its 2025 update to its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) with the first update since 2023 showing further acceleration in the utility’s adoption of (BESS).
Georgia Power senior vice-president and senior production officer Rick Anderson said: “At Georgia Power, we work with the Georgia PSC and many other stakeholders to make the investments required for a reliable and resilient power grid, integrating new technologies to better serve our customers today and as Georgia grows.
The global residential solar storage and inverter market is experiencing rapid expansion, with demand increasing by over 300% in the past three years. Home energy storage solutions now account for approximately 35% of all new residential solar installations worldwide. North America leads with 38% market share, driven by homeowner energy independence goals and federal tax credits that reduce total system costs by 26-30%. Europe follows with 32% market share, where standardized home storage designs have cut installation timelines by 55% compared to custom solutions. Asia-Pacific represents the fastest-growing region at 45% CAGR, with manufacturing innovations reducing system prices by 18% annually. Emerging markets are adopting residential storage for backup power and energy cost reduction, with typical payback periods of 4-7 years. Modern home installations now feature integrated systems with 10-30kWh capacity at costs below $700/kWh for complete residential energy solutions.
Technological advancements are dramatically improving home solar storage and inverter performance while reducing costs. Next-generation battery management systems maintain optimal performance with 40% less energy loss, extending battery lifespan to 15+ years. Standardized plug-and-play designs have reduced installation costs from $1,200/kW to $650/kW since 2022. Smart integration features now allow home systems to operate as virtual power plants, increasing homeowner savings by 35% through time-of-use optimization and grid services. Safety innovations including multi-stage protection and thermal management systems have reduced insurance premiums by 25% for solar storage installations. New modular designs enable capacity expansion through simple battery additions at just $600/kWh for incremental storage. These innovations have improved ROI significantly, with residential projects typically achieving payback in 5-8 years depending on local electricity rates and incentive programs. Recent pricing trends show standard home systems (5-10kWh) starting at $8,000 and premium systems (15-20kWh) from $12,000, with financing options available for homeowners.