Energy Storage Systems for Data Centers

Description

List of Tables

The market for energy storage systems (ESS) in data centers is evolving rapidly, shaped by the dual imperatives of power resilience and sustainability. Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) remain a foundational technology, deployed universally to ensure uptime during grid disturbances. At the same time, interest is growing in longer-duration, large-scale ESS-including long-duration energy storage (LDES)-that can support decarbonization goals, reduce reliance on fossil-fueled generators, and enable participation in energy markets. However, adoption of these systems remains limited due to high costs, regulatory uncertainty, and integration challenges.

This Guidehouse Research report analyzes the current and projected market for ESS in data centers, with a focus on UPS systems. It explores key drivers such as the need for IT system resilience, emissions reduction, and energy cost management, as well as barriers including policy volatility, safety concerns, and grid constraints. The report also examines emerging business models-such as utility partnerships and power purchase agreements-that are enabling new forms of ESS deployment, particularly among hyperscalers.

Given the early-stage nature of large-scale ESS in data centers, the report provides quantitative forecasts only for UPS systems. These forecasts are segmented by world region, storage technology, and data center tier, and include both capacity and revenue projections through 2034. The report also highlights recent M&A activity and project announcements, offering insight into how data center operators, utilities, and storage providers are navigating a rapidly shifting energy landscape.

Product Code: MF-UEDC-25

1. Executive Summary

1.1 Report Scope
1.2 Market Drivers and Barriers
1.3 Market Forecasts

2. Market Issues

2.1 Introduction
2.2 Storage Types and Technologies
- 2.2.1 UPS
- 2.2.2 Large-Scale ESS
  - 2.2.2.1 LDES
2.3 Drivers
- 2.3.1 Facility Resilience
- 2.3.2 Sustainability Goals
- 2.3.3 Cost Reductions
- 2.3.4 Data Center Load Growth
2.4 Barriers
- 2.4.1 Cost and Investment
- 2.4.2 Policy and Regulatory Uncertainty
- 2.4.3 Safety Concerns
- 2.4.4 Scalability and Grid Constraints
2.5 Pricing

3. Industry Value Chain

3.1 Competitive Landscape
- 3.1.1 M&A Activities
- 3.1.2 Business Model Evolution
  - 3.1.2.1 UPS
  - 3.1.2.2 Large-Scale ESS

4. Market Forecasts

4.1 Methodology
4.2 Global Market
4.3 Regional Markets
- 4.3.1 North America
- 4.3.2 Europe
- 4.3.3 Asia-Pacific
- 4.3.4 Latin America
- 4.3.5 Middle East & Africa

5. Conclusions and Recommendations

5.1 Three Big Takeaways
5.2 Recommendations
- 5.2.1 Data Center Developers and Operators
- 5.2.2 Energy Storage Providers
- 5.2.3 Utilities
- 5.2.4 Policymakers and Regulators

6. Acronym and Abbreviation List

7. Table of Contents

8. Table of Charts and Figures

9. Scope of Study, Sources and Methodology & Notes

Product Code: MF-UEDC-25

List of Tables

Table 2-1. Energy Storage Technology Comparison
Table 3-1. Data Center UPS Capacity Market Share by Region: 2025 and 2034
Table 3-2. Recent M&A and Investment Activity, Data Center Market
Table 3-3. Recent Large-Scale ESS Projects, Data Center Market

List of Figures

Chart 1-1. Annual Data Center UPS Capacity Additions by Region, World Markets: 2025-2034
Chart 4-1. Annual Data Center UPS Capacity Additions by Region, World Markets: 2025-2034
Chart 4-2. Annual Data Center UPS Capacity Additions by Data Center Tier, World Markets: 2025-2034
Chart 4-3. Annual Data Center UPS Capacity Additions by Storage Technology, World Markets: 2025-2034
Chart 4-4. Annual Data Center UPS Revenue by Data Center Tier, World Markets: 2025-2034
Chart 4-5. Annual Data Center UPS Revenue by Storage Technology, World Markets: 2025-2034
Chart 4-6. Cumulative Data Center UPS Capacity Additions by Region, World Markets: 2025-2034
Chart 4-7. Annual Data Center UPS Capacity Additions by Storage Technology, North America: 2025-2034
Chart 4-8. Annual Data Center UPS Capacity Additions by Storage Technology, Europe: 2025-2034
Chart 4-9. Annual Data Center UPS Capacity Additions by Storage Technology, Asia-Pacific: 2025-2034
Chart 4-10. Annual Data Center UPS Capacity Additions by Storage Technology, Latin America: 2025-2034
Chart 4-11. Annual Data Center UPS Capacity Additions by Storage Technology, Middle East & Africa: 2025-2034
Figure 3-1. Data Center ESS Industry Value Chain