Battery System Failures Drop 98% in Seven Years, EPRI Report Finds

· Energy

An Electric Power Research Institute analysis found that energy storage system failures fell 98% between 2018 and 2025, driven by technology and project improvements. However, the report warns that "early-vintage" systems may require retrofits to maintain safety and reliability. The dramatic decline in failure rates supports the case for grid-scale batteries as a mature asset class, even as older installations need attention. For the industry, the findings matter for insurers, regulators and developers evaluating risk as storage deployments accelerate worldwide.

Why it matters：Hard data showing storage reliability gains strengthens the investment case for grid batteries while flagging retrofit needs that could shape future safety rules and insurance costs.

Key points

  • Failures fell 98% from 2018 to 2025
  • Early-vintage systems may need retrofits
  • Analysis by the Electric Power Research Institute

Sources (original reporting)

More stories from this day