Assessing the Value of Energy Storage: A Framework for States

Battery storage is a particularly difficult technology to assess with a benefit cost analysis (BCA), yet it’s important for state energy offices to understand how to do so. To help states fairly and equitably assess the cost-effectiveness of energy storage technologies and programs, the Applied Economics Clinic and the Clean Energy States Alliance have produced a new report, Energy Storage Benefit-Cost Analysis: A Framework for State Energy Programs. The report provides guidance for state energy agencies in such areas as how to quantify the value of energy storage services, which cost-effectiveness test to use, how to pick a discount rate, and how to ensure an equitable process that takes stakeholder input into account. In this Clean Energy States Alliance webinar, report authors Liz Stanton and Bryndis Woods of Applied Economics Clinic discussed the report’s findings with CESA’s Todd Olinsky-Paul.