Batteries and Beyond: Energizing Market Adoption of On-Site Energy Storage

On-site battery energy storage is emerging as a key solution for decarbonization, resilience, and grid flexibility in commercial real estate, yet adoption remains uneven across markets and asset types. This session draws on research from the Urban Land Institute and UL Standards & Engagement to anchor a facilitated discussion on where storage makes financial and operational sense—and why it sometimes doesn’t. Panelists will explore market drivers such as demand charges, tariff structures, solar co-location, and incentives, as well as structural and perceived barriers identified through expert interviews. They will also discuss the role of safety standards, underwriting, and investor expectations in scaling deployment. A commercial real estate developer will share real-world lessons, including internal approvals, risk assessment, and practical implementation strategies. Attendees will leave with actionable insights for evaluating and advancing storage adoption across their portfolios, bridging research findings with real-world practice.