How Battery Storage Systems Transform Commercial Energy Usage
With rising energy costs and increasing grid instability, business owners are looking for new ways to optimize their energy consumption to stabilize operating costs and minimize risk.
That's why battery energy storage systems (BESS) are becoming more popular. In 2025, a record amount of battery storage was installed across the U.S., growing 52% over 2024, according to the American Clean Power Association and Wood Mackenzie, with growth expected to continue.
What are battery energy storage systems (BESS) for businesses?
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) let businesses store and use electricity more strategically to reduce energy costs, avoid demand charges, and maintain operations during outages.
Having a BESS allows a facility to store energy on site, either from the grid or from solar panels. This stored energy can be used to avoid costly energy demand peaks and to serve as backup energy whenever the grid goes down.
Battery storage is a powerful addition to an energy efficiency strategy that adds flexibility and intelligence to how energy is used.
What Are Battery Energy Storage Systems for Businesses?
For businesses, battery energy storage systems enable them to store electrical energy at their facilities for later use using a system of high-performance batteries. They are charged, either by plugging into the grid or by connecting to solar panels to store extra energy generated by the sun. That energy is stored in the battery, then later can be discharged when it’s needed as a backup source.
The most popular type of BESS uses lithium-ion batteries with unique features designed for business use. Viridi’s RPSLinkEX systems, for example, are engineered for seamless commercial integration and support broader efforts to strengthen grid resiliency and long-term energy optimization.
Typical use cases for commercial battery storage can include a wide range of businesses such as manufacturing plants, retail, restaurants, office buildings and more.
Benefits of Battery Energy Storage Systems for Businesses
Reduce Energy Costs
The utility companies who manage energy provided by the grid have complex pricing structures. This includes peak demand charges, where businesses are charged more for energy used during the periods where energy is used the most. A BESS empowers businesses to avoid peak charges by charging during off-peak hours then utilizing stored energy during a time of high demand that would otherwise incur grid charges.
Batteries also lower reliance on expensive grid electricity. If paired with renewable energy sources, a BESS can store excess solar power and reduce the amount of energy bought from utilities.
Improve Energy Reliability & Resilience
Power outages can cause a range of negative effects on a business: closures, spoiled goods, lost business, fractured customer trust. Battery storage systems for businesses act as a clean, quiet, emission-free backup power source during outages, so they can maintain operations for critical systems. That means even if the grid goes down, they can keep doors open, keep refrigerators and other equipment running, and keep serving customers.
Participate in Demand Response Programs
A Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) works in tandem with demand response (DR) programs by intelligently shifting when and how a facility draws power from the grid. Demand response programs, like Budderfly’s award-winning Virtual Power Plant, also provide an additional revenue stream to businesses who enroll.
Battery Storage as Part of an Energy Efficiency Strategy
When businesses become energy efficient, they use less energy. When they install energy storage, they can use energy smarter. These two strategies combined work to protect businesses from volatile energy costs and stabilize operations.
Complements Efficiency Upgrades
A battery energy storage system works well alongside commercial energy efficiency solutions, such as LED lighting, HVAC upgrades, and building automation systems. When overall energy needs are lowered, the impact of stored energy is greater as it can divert peak energy demand more or supplement a higher percentage with stored renewable power.
Enables Peak Shaving
Demand spikes can be a major cost driver for businesses as surcharges from utilities drive energy bills up and make busy business hours less profitable. Battery storage systems can be used daily to avoid demand spikes and extra charges. By relying on stored energy during busy times, a business with a BESS can stabilize their daily energy rates and improve profitability.
Maximizes On-Site Renewable Energy
Solar panels generate energy year-round during daylight hours. Often, they create more energy than is used on a given day. Battery storage allows businesses with solar installations to keep any of that excess solar power to use at a later time. It can even use that clean energy during peak hours to further drive down grid energy demands.
Battery storage doesn’t replace energy efficiency. It amplifies it.
How Businesses Can Get Batteries Without Upfront Costs
Most business owners understand the benefits of a battery storage system, but often the upfront cost is a barrier. Or they aren’t sure how to manage choosing the right type of BESS and overseeing an installation.
Budderfly’s leading energy infrastructure platform helps commercial facilities such as restaurants, retail, fitness, and manufacturing sites to modernize aging energy infrastructure, improve energy performance and strengthen operational efficiency without the upfront investment.
Viridi, the industry leader in fail-safe battery energy storage systems, has partnered with Budderfly on an initiative that is bringing battery energy storage systems to businesses across the U.S. who work with Budderfly.
Battery energy storage systems help businesses lower operational expenses, increase resilience, and enhance energy efficiency strategies.
Learn how your facilities can become more resilient with a comprehensive energy management solution that lowers consumption and risk with energy efficiency and storage.
FAQs about Battery Energy Storage Systems
How much does a battery energy storage system cost for a business?
Costs vary depending on system size, energy usage, and integration needs, but many businesses adopt solutions through no-upfront-cost energy service models.
How do battery systems reduce demand charges?
They store energy during off-peak hours and discharge during peak demand periods, lowering billed peak usage.
Can battery storage work without solar panels?
Yes. Systems can charge directly from the grid and still provide cost savings and backup power.
How long do commercial battery systems last?
Most lithium-ion systems last 10–15 years depending on usage and maintenance.