The future of energy, transport, sustainability and more, as told by BNEF analysts. Each week, Dana Perkins sits down with BloombergNEF (BNEF) analysts to uncover the key findings and stories behind their latest research.
Data Centers and the Future of Energy Storage
Data Centers and the Future of Energy Storage
The AI boom is ushering in a new era for energy storage. As data center buildout accelerates, batteries are evolving from short-duration backup tools into larger, more flexible systems that can help bring facilities online faster and manage complex power needs. In the US in particular, a growing pipeline of projects is emerging, with batteries increasingly paired with on-site generation or used to smooth demand and unlock faster connections to the grid. So how are data centers changing the energy storage market, and what role could these systems play in the power grid of the future? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by Caitilín McManus, a technology and innovation associate at BloombergNEF, to discuss her recently released note “Data Centers’ Energy Storage Ramp-Up: Project List Grows.”
May 07, 2026