The Future of BESS Deployment: States Step Up

Last week at the Wood Mackenzie Solar & Energy Storage Summit, the conversation was dominated by one word: uncertainty. But amid the shifting sands of geopolitics and trade, one keynote cut through the noise with a clear vision for the future of battery energy storage systems (BESS): states are not just participants – they are the primary architects of our advanced energy future.

‍Amisha Rai, Senior Vice President of Advocacy at Advanced Energy United, delivered a fireside chat that reframed how we should think about energy policy and BESS deployment. Her message was simple but profound: the most consequential decisions for clean power are being made in state capitals, not just in Washington, D.C.

‍Why State Policy Is the Real Game-Changer

Federal incentives and national headlines may grab attention, but the policies that unlock or stall BESS projects are set at the state and even municipal level. States determine siting authority, update fire and safety codes, shape fiscal policy, and-crucially-set the tone for community engagement and project acceptance. As Amisha highlighted, “Industry standards are built at the state level. Those decision makers are the arbiters.”

This decentralized landscape is both a challenge and an opportunity. With over 30 gubernatorial elections on the horizon and governors empowered to appoint public utility commissioners and set regulatory agendas, the next wave of BESS deployment will be shaped by state leadership-by those willing to roll up their sleeves and drive practical solutions for affordability, reliability, and resilience

‍The Path Forward: Action, Not Anxiety

The urgency is real. It takes years to bring a BESS project from concept to operation, and stakeholders are hungry for solutions that can be deployed today. Amisha’s advice was clear: Don’t wait for perfect federal policy, and don’t panic in the face of federal uncertainty. Instead, engage early and often with state and municipal leaders. Energy isn’t a partisan issue; every community wants affordable, reliable power and protection against blackouts that threaten businesses and local economies.

States that move proactively-by clarifying siting authority, updating codes, supporting workforce training, and creating robust pathways for community input are already seeing the benefits. Procurement targets, demonstration projects, and tailored incentives are accelerating BESS deployment in places like California,Texas, New York, and New Jersey. Meanwhile, states that hesitate risk being left behind as the market and technology evolve.

‍The New Imperative for BESS Stakeholders

For developers, utilities, and technology providers, the lesson is clear: the future of BESS will be written by those who understand and engage with state policy. This means not just tracking legislative updates, but actively building coalitions, participating in regulatory processes, and helping shape the standards that will define the industry. As Amisha put it, “Don’t panic, act.”

The future of energy storage is being built now, in statehouses, city halls, and community meetings across the country. The leaders who step up today will determine how quickly, safely, and equitably we realize the promise of battery energy storage.

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