High energy costs and insecurity concerns are pushing businesses and citizens towards self-sufficiency and investing in microgrids and battery energy storage systems (BESS), as well as solar or wind power, according to a survey.
In its Energy Insights Report 2023 on energy prices and security, Swiss engineering company ABB said until recently, a cost-effective supply of electricity has been largely secure for much of the world. Some developed countries have taken it, to some extent, for granted.
“Energy cost and insecurity concerns, however, are now at the top of executive agendas globally. As this conscious focus on energy increases, we are seeing more businesses and citizens taking action, for example by investing in on-site solar or wind power. Businesses are also looking at installing microgrids and battery energy storage systems (BESS) to store and protect their energy supply and security,” it said.
Q: What, if anything, does your business plan to do about your energy availability/reliability/security in the next 12 months?
| (Respondents were asked to indicate all that apply) Installing on-site renewables e.g. solar or wind | 40% |
| Procuring renewable power under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) | 36% |
| Installing a generator | 35% |
| Installing an on-site battery energy storage solution | 34% |
| Electrifying our vehicle fleet | 27% |
| Installing a microgrid | 23% |
| Other (please specify) | 1% |
| It is not taking any actions | 13% |
ABB surveyed 2,300 business leaders in 10 countries.
