Which battery chemistry do most US utility-scale battery systems use, per EIA?

Lithium-ion.

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  1. Lithium-ion ✔
  2. Lead-acid
  3. Alkaline

Why: EIA says most US utility-scale battery systems use lithium-ion. Its high cycle efficiency and fast response suit grid support.

Huh, didn't know that: EIA counts batteries with less than 1 MW of power capacity as small-scale.

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References

Answer: Lithium-ion. EIA says most US utility-scale battery systems use lithium-ion. Its high cycle efficiency and fast response suit grid support.

  1. EIA: Energy Storage for Electricity Generation www.eia.gov/energyexplained/electricity/energy-storage-for-electricity-generation.php
    The majority of U.S. utility-scale BESSs use lithium-ion batteries.
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  2. EIA: Energy storage for electricity generation www.eia.gov/energyexplained/electricity/energy-storage-for-electricity-generation.php
    EIA's data collection defines small-scale batteries as having less than 1 MW of power capacity.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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