Battery Storage Boom Keeps California Powered Through Record Heat

California avoided rolling outages during the hottest August on record thanks to a rapid expansion of battery storage that stores solar energy for peak demand, integration with a broader Western grid, and a growing share of renewables. Storage capacity has grown from less than 100 MW in 2020 to over 17,000 MW today, with a goal of 20,000–25,000 MW by 2045 as the state reduces natural gas use and relies more on solar, wind, and other clean energy. Public safety measures remain for extreme conditions, but the grid has become more resilient overall, reducing the need for Flex Alerts or rolling outages.