Costs are falling for renewable energy stored in batteries
One of the major challenges of using renewable energy like wind or solar is that there's overproduction. The sun shines and the wind blows mostly during the day but then drops off at night — when people tend to use the most power. Batteries can help smooth out those peaks and valleys, but cost has limited wider adoption. Now battery storage is maturing as an industry. So what does that mean for regular people? Marketplace’s Jed Kim talks with Ravi Manghani, director of energy storage at energy consulting firm Wood Mackenzie, who says the tech is getting to houses through transmission lines, maybe even yours.
Today's show is sponsored by Pitney Bowes and WellFrame.
!["We're talking about about 80-85 percent cost reduction over the past decade for battery storage [of renewable energy]," said Ravi Manghani, director of energy storage at energy consulting firm Wood Mackenzie.](https://www.marketplace.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/GettyImages-98768488_0.jpg?w=960)
One of the major challenges of using renewable energy like wind or solar is that there’s overproduction. The sun shines and the wind blows mostly during the day but then drops off at night — when people tend to use the most power. Batteries can help smooth out those peaks and valleys, but cost has limited wider adoption. Now battery storage is maturing as an industry. So what does that mean for regular people? Marketplace’s Jed Kim talks with Ravi Manghani, director of energy storage at energy consulting firm Wood Mackenzie, who says the tech is getting to houses through transmission lines, maybe even yours.
Today’s show is sponsored by Pitney Bowes and WellFrame.
The future of this podcast starts with you.
Every day, the “Marketplace Tech” team demystifies the digital economy with stories that explore more than just Big Tech. We’re committed to covering topics that matter to you and the world around us, diving deep into how technology intersects with climate change, inequity, and disinformation.
As part of a nonprofit newsroom, we’re counting on listeners like you to keep this public service paywall-free and available to all.
Support “Marketplace Tech” in any amount today and become a partner in our mission.
