Applications of Battery Storage for Business

In a world where energy costs are rising and customers demand greener operations, energy storage for business has shifted from a luxury to a necessity. Battery storage empowers companies to save money, ensure operational resilience, and achieve sustainability goals faster than ever before.

According to BloombergNEF (2024), the global energy storage market is expected to reach 137 gigawatts (GW) and 442 gigawatt-hours (GWh) by 2030, growing at an impressive 21% annual rate. Companies that invest early in business energy solutions can expect significant competitive advantages — from cost savings to enhanced brand reputation.

In this article, we’ll dive into the key applications of battery storage for businesses, supported by real-world data, industry examples, and smart strategies to make energy work for you.

Why Businesses Need Energy Storage

Energy storage offers businesses a range of powerful benefits:

• Cost Savings: Store cheap off-peak energy and use it during expensive peak hours.
• Reliable Backup Power: Keep operations running even during power outages.
• Support Renewable Energy: Store solar or wind power for use anytime.
• Sustainability Goals: Reduce carbon emissions and meet net-zero targets.

Six Smart Applications of Energy Storage for Business

1. Save Big on Energy Costs (Peak Shaving)

Peak shaving is one of the most powerful cost-saving tools available today. In regions with high demand charges, businesses can use commercial energy storage systems for cost savings by storing cheap electricity during off-peak hours and using it during peak periods.

In high-demand charge areas, for businesses with relatively stable energy use, peak shaving can cut electricity costs by up to 80%. For example, a California-based logistics company reported savings of $220,000 annually after installing a 1MW/2MWh battery system.

Peak shaving is especially impactful for industries like manufacturing, retail, and large office complexes.

2. Backup Power When You Need It Most

Power outages can be costly — especially for industries like retail, manufacturing, and healthcare. According to Department of Energy, power interruptions cost U.S. businesses an estimated $150 billion per year.

With battery backup for businesses, you can stay operational when the grid goes down, avoiding lost revenue, reputational damage, and safety risks.

A major online retailer's distribution center recently avoided a six-hour blackout during a regional storm, thanks to their 3MWh battery backup system. Without it, shipping delays would have cost millions.

Whether you manage a retail store, a hospital, or a manufacturing line, a robust battery backup system ensures business continuity.

3. Maximize Renewable Energy Use

Solar panels and wind turbines are great, but they don't guarantee 24/7 energy supply. That's where solar energy storage solutions for business come in.

By storing excess renewable energy, companies reduce their reliance on the grid, hedge against rising energy prices, and lock in clean energy use — even on cloudy or windless days.

For example, a mid-sized manufacturing firm combined a 500kW rooftop solar system with a 1MWh battery and now covers over 70% of their annual energy needs from renewables.

4. Smarter EV Charging Management

Electric vehicle adoption is booming. According to the GreenMatch, EVs will account for 23.5% of new car sales by 2025 and 45.3% by 2030 globally.

Businesses managing fleets must prepare — and business EV fleet charging solutions powered by energy storage can help:

• Charge during off-peak hours to minimize electricity costs.
• Avoid peak demand surcharges.
• Support multiple vehicles charging simultaneously without overloading the grid.

A delivery company with 50 EV vans saved $75,000 annually by combining onsite solar, storage, and smart chargers.

5. Earn with Grid Support Services

Energy storage isn't just about saving money — it can generate revenue too.

Through energy storage for grid services, businesses can offer:

• Frequency regulation
• Demand response
• Reserve capacity

Many companies are discovering that participating in energy markets with stored energy can open up exciting new revenue streams.

6. Support Sustainability Goals

Environmental responsibility is no longer optional. Today's customers and investors expect businesses to act responsibly. With sustainable energy storage solutions for companies, businesses can:

• Cut Scope 2 emissions (indirect emissions from purchased electricity).
• Meet net-zero targets ahead of competitors.
• Strengthen ESG scores, boosting investor and customer confidence.

For example, a food processing plant reduced its carbon footprint by 35% within two years by combining energy storage with onsite renewables.

How Different Industries Use Energy Storage

Retail Industry: Keeping Stores Running and Profitable

Retail businesses thrive on continuity. A short power outage can mean lost sales, spoiled inventory, and unhappy customers. Battery storage ensures retail locations stay open during grid failures, protecting both revenue and reputation.

Moreover, many large retailers now use energy storage for business to perform peak shaving, avoiding thousands in monthly demand charges.

By combining business energy solutions like storage with rooftop solar, retailers can also enhance their sustainability image, winning eco-conscious consumers.

Manufacturing Industry: Powering Productivity

Manufacturers are highly sensitive to energy disruptions. Even a brief outage can cause machinery shutdowns, production delays, and material waste.

Energy storage systems give manufacturers a buffer against blackouts and voltage fluctuations. In addition, factories can use batteries to store cheap off-peak electricity and power high-load equipment during peak periods

Energy storage solutions not only cut costs but also improve operational reliability and productivity.

Data Centers: Ensuring 24/7 Uptime

Data centers require 100% uptime. Downtime costs can exceed $9,000 per minute. 

Traditional diesel generators are still common, but integrating battery storage enhances reliability and reduces environmental impact.

Modern data centers pair energy storage with diesel or natural gas backup systems to create "hybrid" solutions that switch seamlessly when needed.

One leading cloud provider deployed a 5MWh battery system that supports critical loads for up to 4 hours during outages, ensuring both performance and ESG compliance.

For data centers, battery storage is becoming a cornerstone of both resilience and sustainability strategies.

Healthcare Sector: Protecting Lives

In hospitals and clinics, power reliability isn’t just about money — it’s about saving lives.

Battery storage helps medical facilities maintain uninterrupted power for:

• Life support systems
• Surgical theaters
• Emergency services

With healthcare regulations becoming stricter, investing in business energy solutions that guarantee uptime is critical for compliance and patient safety.

How to Choose the Right Business Energy Storage Solution

Selecting the right energy storage solution for your business involves careful planning:

• Energy Profile Analysis: Understand your peak loads, outage risks, and sustainability goals.
• Right Technology Match: Choose between lithium-ion, sodium-ion, or newer solid-state batteries.
• Scalability: Ensure your system can grow with your operations.
• Supplier Reputation: Partner with trusted providers like ACE Battery, known for high-quality commercial energy storage solutions.
• Incentives Check: Programs like the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) can cover up to 30% of installation costs.

Conclusion: Power Your Business Future Today

Energy storage isn't just about cutting costs — it's about building a smarter, stronger, and more sustainable business. By investing in energy storage for business, companies can:

• Slash operational expenses
• Ensure resilience against blackouts
• Meet growing demands for sustainability

Whether you're running a retail chain, manufacturing plant, data center, or hospital, now is the perfect time to integrate smart business energy solutions into your operations.

Ready to Transform Your Business Energy Strategy?

Contact ACE Battery today to design a custom business energy solution tailored to your needs. Our experts will help you reduce costs, increase resilience, and lead the way toward a cleaner energy future.