Increasing need for system flexibility combined with rapid decreases in the system costs for battery technology have increased interest from policymakers and system operators about the potential role of battery energy storage systems (BESS) in power systems. BESS can perform a range of grid system services and can provide value to the power system through various applications, including transmission and distribution upgrade deferral, energy arbitrage, "black starts," demand shifting, capacity firming and reductions in the curtailment of variable renewable energy. However, the value of BESS for system operators or project developers is location-specific and depends on many factors, including penetration levels of renewable energy, existing system flexibility and the regulatory context under which the BESS is deployed. This webinar introduced key concepts for understanding the value of BESS; reviewed the services they can provide to the grid; and explored when, where, why and how BESS can be deployed economically.

The webinar was presented by Paul Denholm of NREL. It was followed by an interactive question and answer session with the audience, moderated by Jennifer Leisch from USAID.