Nyheter
A Transformative Storage Boom?
Alternative Energy: A Transformative Storage Boom? Part 1. This is part one of a two-part series by Analyst Veronica Zhang that explores the growing opportunities in alternative energy and battery storage.
The convergence of solar electricity (”solar”) and battery storage may approach a tipping point in widespread adoption over the next ten years, as cost curves and improving technology make implementation more economic for homeowners.
Over the past decade, residential solar demand has grown tenfold, yet still comprises less than 2% of electricity generation in the U.S. This low level of penetration is not spread evenly across the country, with certain ”pro-solar” states (both geographically and politically) commanding the vast majority of growth.
California and Hawaii Lead U.S. Solar Adoption
Congress recently renewed the solar investment tax credit (ITC) and many industry sources forecast this level of penetration to increase steadily over the next five years, growing from 7GW (gigawatts) in 2015 to 18GW in 2020. We look to states such as California and Hawaii, which led the U.S. in solar electricity adoption (51% and 7%, respectively), and of which solar comprises 7% and 15% of their respective electricity generation, as prime models for a renewables-driven future.
Total U.S. Solar Demand
(Click to enlarge)
Cumulative U.S. Solar Demand by State
(Click to enlarge)
At this rate of expansion, a key question remains as to whether the U.S. electrical grid will be able to handle the rapid adoption of solar, and how quickly. Utilities have built the nation’s electric grid for one-way power flow: from utility to home. The current policy of net metering, which allows consumers with solar panels to ”sell” power back to the grid, requires substantial investment from utilities into the transmission system (smart meters, intelligent switches) to help create a more reliable and robust network.
Modernizing the Electric Grid
This all comes at a sizeable cost. The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that utilities will spend over $20 billion annually over the next several years on the maintenance of aging infrastructure. Spending in recent years has only been targeted on hardening the system against weather-related outages, not in preparing the grid for two-way flow.
These costs are naturally passed on to customers (half of a customer’s electricity bill is for transmission and distribution (T&D) charges, which include the cost borne by utilities for operating, maintaining, and upgrading the grid), and explains, in part, the increase in electricity prices over the past decade, despite falling power generation fuel costs, such as natural gas. Industry experts estimate the cost of modernizing the national grid will cost more than $475 billion over the next 20 years, which translates to twice the current spend on T&D.
In Part 2, we will explore the need for a more flexible and modern grid and how this is likely to spur growth and innovation in the form of battery storage.
by Veronica Zhang, Analyst
Analyst Veronica Zhang is a member of the Hard Assets Team that manages our Natural Resources Equity strategy. Zhang focuses on the industrials and alternative energy sectors, and holds a BA in Economics and Statistics from Columbia University.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE
This content is published in the United States for residents of specified countries. Investors are subject to securities and tax regulations within their applicable jurisdictions that are not addressed on this content. Nothing in this content should be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell shares of any investment in any jurisdiction where the offer or solicitation would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction, nor is it intended as investment, tax, financial, or legal advice. Investors should seek such professional advice for their particular situation and jurisdiction. You can obtain more specific information on VanEck strategies by visiting Investment Strategies.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s), but not necessarily those of VanEck, and these opinions may change at any time and from time to time. Non-VanEck proprietary information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. Not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results or investment advice. Historical performance is not indicative of future results. Current data may differ from data quoted. Any graphs shown herein are for illustrative purposes only. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission of VanEck.
Please note that Van Eck Securities Corporation offers investment portfolios that invest in the asset class(es) mentioned in this post. Hard assets investments are subject to risks associated with natural resources and commodities and events related to these industries. Commodity investments may be subject to the risks associated with its investments in commodity-linked derivatives, risks of investing in a wholly owned subsidiary, risk of tracking error, risks of aggressive investment techniques, leverage risk, derivatives risks, counterparty risks, non-diversification risk, credit risk, concentration risk and market risk.
Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. An investor should consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of any investment strategy carefully before investing. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission of Van Eck Securities Corporation.
JIGG ETF investerar i företagsobligationer från hela världen
JEQA ETF investerar i Nasdaq-100 i kombination med en derivatteknik
Bitwises Bradley Duke om marknadstrender och Bitcoin-utsikter
AMEV ETF investerar i japanska aktier och hedgas i dollar
Septembers utdelning i XACT Norden Högutdelande
VALOUR ARB SEK spårar priset på kryptovalutan Arbitrum
Månadsutdelande ETFer uppdaterad med IncomeShares produkter
HANetfs analyserar hur ett fredsavtal kan påverka det europeiska försvaret
HANetfs VD kommenterar Trump-Putin-toppmötet
De bästa innovations-ETFerna
-
Nyheter4 veckor sedanVALOUR ARB SEK spårar priset på kryptovalutan Arbitrum
-
Nyheter2 veckor sedanMånadsutdelande ETFer uppdaterad med IncomeShares produkter
-
Nyheter2 veckor sedanHANetfs analyserar hur ett fredsavtal kan påverka det europeiska försvaret
-
Nyheter3 veckor sedanHANetfs VD kommenterar Trump-Putin-toppmötet
-
Nyheter4 veckor sedanDe bästa innovations-ETFerna
-
Nyheter6 dagar sedanUtdelningar och försvarsfonder lockade i augusti
-
Nyheter2 veckor sedanADLT ETF investerar bara i riktigt långa amerikanska statsobligationer
-
Nyheter4 veckor sedanIncomeShares når 60 miljoner dollar i förvaltat kapital – Tillväxtöversikt 2025
