Volta Foundation’s AI & Data Center Infrastructure committee report identifies speed-to-power and peak shaving as key advantages for BESS in data centers. The report notes BESS uniquely solves urgent issues like peak shaving against demand charges and bridge power during interconnection queues.
However, the report states BESS is uncompetitive in sustained energy and long-duration backup beyond four hours, where diesel and gas turbines remain dominant. Fuel cells compete for standalone bridge power jobs, while BESS competes in curtailment flexibility, UPS ride-through, and grid services.
Challenges include a lack of load visibility, undefined integration methods, and reliance on integration and controls rather than cell chemistry. Recommendations include designing hybrid architectures from day one, standardizing curtailment-based interconnection, and developing products based on load archetypes.
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