Unlocking the Future of Energy Storage: Policy, Market Growth & Grid Resilience with Jason Burwen

Energy storage is the backbone of the clean energy transition, but what does it take to scale it effectively?

In this episode of Green Giants: Titans of Renewable Energy, host Wes Ashworth sits down with Jason Burwen, VP of Policy & Strategy at GridStor, to explore the rapid growth of battery storage, the policies driving its expansion, and the challenges ahead.

Jason, a key figure in shaping U.S. energy storage policy, shares how FERC Order 841, the Investment Tax Credit for storage, and evolving market designs have transformed the industry. With a decade of experience at the American Clean Power Association and the U.S. Energy Storage Association, he’s been on the front lines of advocacy, market development, and regulation.

Key Takeaways from the Episode:

✅ How Energy Storage Went from Niche to Essential – Jason walks through the explosive growth of battery storage from 300 megawatts in 2015 to over 10 gigawatts in 2024.

✅ The Role of Energy Storage in a Renewable Grid – Why batteries aren’t just about storing solar & wind energy, but also providing flexibility, grid stability, and reliability.

✅ Wholesale Market Design & Energy Storage Economics – How states like California and Texas have led the way in storage adoption, with vastly different policy approaches.

✅ Biggest Challenges in Scaling Storage – From interconnection delays to regulatory hurdles, what’s slowing down new deployments?

✅ Battery Storage & Carbon Emissions – Fact or Fiction? – Jason debunks the claim that batteries increase emissions and explains why energy storage is crucial for deep decarbonization.

✅ Future Storage Technologies & Market Trends – Will sodium-ion, iron-air, and long-duration batteries become viable competitors to lithium-ion?

✅ Lessons for Policymakers & Industry Leaders – Why energy storage needs stronger regulatory support, and how stakeholders can collaborate to accelerate the clean energy transition.

"Battery storage has moved from the kids’ table to the adults’ table. Now, we’re solving the challenges of success." – Jason Burwen

This is a must-listen for renewable energy professionals, policymakers, and investors looking to understand where energy storage is headed and how it will shape the grid of the future.

Links: 

Jason Burwen on LinkedIn
GridStor

Wes Ashworth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/weslgs/

• Email: wes@leegroupsearch.com
• https://leegroupsearch.com/green-giants-podcast/
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