It’s been an exciting year for the energy industry. Even though crude oil prices are expected to remain bottomed out until 2017, exciting frontiers such as emerging markets and alternative energy are sparking innovation all over the planet.

Looking up close at the stationary battery market reveals more signs for optimism. The new Research and Markets report “Global Stationary Lead Acid Battery Market 2015-2020” found that the global SLA market will grow at a rate of 6.7% between 2014 and 2020 as more industries become reliant on stationary battery installations to support their operations.

What’s Driving the Demand for Stationary Batteries?
First, some background. Lead-acid batteries are rechargeable stationary batteries that use lead electrodes with sulfuric acid as an electrolyte. These stationary batteries have the capacity to provide high surge currents, which makes them a cost-effective power source for a variety of applications. Plus, the best sealed lead acid battery requires little to no stationary battery maintenance.

What’s more, the report found that “sealed lead-acid or VRLA batteries have enhanced features such as safe handling capabilities that ensure smooth and effective product functionality during power outages. Though there are limited technological advances in the lead-acid battery market, vendors are introducing new products with enhancements such as longer life and durability.”

Power America Can Depend On: Stationary Batteries Provide Power To the Telecommunications, Oil and Gas, and Utilities Sectors
Utility, oil and gas, and new alternative energy companies all need to remain operational 24/7/365. Unfortunately, life isn’t always so cooperative. During inevitable problems like severe weather events or power outages, stationary battery installations provide a ready source of stand by power. The UPS back up battery and stand by generator installations are increasingly seen as a necessity by a variety of industries.

And nowhere is that more true than the telecommunications industry. Our world now revolves around telecommunications. We use smartphones and digital media to stay connected with friends and family; we use computers all day long at work; and public agencies depend on these tools to keep the country up, running, and ready for anything.

That’s why telecommunications are the largest driver of growth in the SLA market, fueling both new stationary battery installations and lead acid battery replacement sales.

Conclusions: SLAs and Energy Storage Systems Go Green in 2016
Of course, like other areas of the energy sector, stationary batteries are diversifying as people demand environmentally friendly energy storage systems. Global sales of lithium ion energy storage batteries are also growing fast, with sales set to triple from less than $2 billion this year to $6 billion by 2020.

And while concerns over the environmental impact of the standard lead-acid battery has slowed growth in the market, that’s starting to change. This year, more than 98% of all battery lead will be recycled; moreover, the new lead acid battery replacement you buy will contain anywhere from 60-80% recycled lead and plastic. In part thanks to the greening of the energy storage industry, global demand for batteries will hit $132 billion next year.

As humans are becoming more aware of their effect on the environment around them, new methods are being used to elongate the sustainability of the Earth’s precious resources. Batteries use many of these resources, including important materials such as lead, lithium, alkaline, and zinc. At a recent battery conference, a U.S. Army general said that half of the batteries discarded still have 50% of their energy left, and can be reused. However, many do not understand the process behind battery recycling, or even which batteries can be recycled. Below are all the different types of recyclable batteries, and how they can be reused.

Lead Acid Batteries
These are most often found in automobiles, power industrial equipment, back-up lighting, battery energy storage systems using UPS batteries, and alarm systems. Most retailers who sell these batteries will also have a system that recycles your old unit after lead acid battery replacement. Today, more than 98% of all battery lead is recycled, and a typical new lead acid battery contains 60 to 80% of recycled lead and plastic. During the recycling process, the battery is broken down into pieces and places into a vat, where the lead and other heavy metals fall to the bottom, where they can be collected for re-use.

Primary Household Batteries
These are the batteries most commonly found being used in a household appliance. This includes 9-volt, D, C, AA, AAA, button and some cylindrical and rectangular battery types. There are many places that take recycled batteries, including multiple mail-in services. The typical process for these batteries is to use a mechanical separation process that divides the battery into the different recyclable materials.

Rechargeable Household Batteries
There are four types of rechargeable batteries that can be recycled: nickle-cadmium, nickle metal hydride, lithium ion, and small-sealed lead. The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation uses its Call2Recycle! program to offer various ways to recycle old rechargeable batteries, depending on the type you bring in.

While stationary batteries have been giving power to the telecommunications industry for decades, it’s important to know how they can help any type of business. Making sure your employees are always able to do their job is step one in creating a consistently successful workplace.

When considering how stationary batteries can help your business, remember these three important things and make sure your company is protected against a random power surge that can make all your hard work go down the drain:

• UPS batteries help you never lose a step.
  A UPS back up battery, or an “uninterrupted power supply,” provides emergency power in the event that the main power source fails. The genius of this technology is that it starts working almost instantaneously, saving you precious seconds in getting your stationary batteries up and running. While their on-battery runtime is usually just a few minutes, it provides you with an opportunity to shut down the affected equipment and start a stand-by power source.

• Avoid a data loss catastrophe.
  The potential consequences of power surges and battery failure are something you should be aware of. When your company’s power is disrupted, any unsaved data is lost, though this can be the least of your worries. Unexpected power surges can cause injuries and even fatalities in some instances. Stationary batteries can give you the peace of mind in knowing that your business is safe from all angles in the event of a major outage.

• There’s never been a better time to invest in stationary batteries.
  Rechargeable batteries make up about $5.5 billion of the $89.4 billion global battery market, mainly due to more and more businesses seeing the tremendous benefits of having them. Electric rates continue to rise, and energy storage batteries paired with solar PV systems could literally be cheaper than traditional grid electricity within the next 15 years. You should be chomping at the bit to get a part of this burgeoning market and save your company money.

It is important to seek a professional, qualified stationary battery company to get the right type of energy storage system for your specific needs. Your stationary battery needs to be maintained and tested, and having an experienced support staff will make you feel even safer.

Storm season can be a nightmare for any homeowner. Storms can tear up your lawn, do damage to your property, and of course, cause a blackout. Blackouts can cause real problems, especially in the colder months when pipes can freeze. Houses that are susceptible to blackouts should look into energy storage systems, which serve as a back up power source for when the power goes out. If you’re considering getting a back up energy source for your home, here are a few things you can expect during the stand by generator installation process:

Energy storage batteries are located on the outside of your house, similar to your home’s air conditioning unit. A representative will come to your home to survey the house, checking your gas meter to determine if the supply is adequate to run the generator. Once they are sure your gas is at appropriate levels, the installation can begin. This process can take several days, and requires multiple professionals like a plumber and an electrician to make sure the process is done correctly. Keep in mind that your power may need to be turned off for some time during this process.

A battery energy storage system can not only provide a back up energy source for when your electricity is out, but may also be a solution to the alternative energy solution. If we assume that electric rates continue to rise 3% each year, energy storage systems that combine stationary batteries and solar PV systems will beat the price of grid electricity through out the country within the next decade and a half. Currently, the world battery industry is worth approximately $89.4 billion, and is projected to raise to $132 billion om 2016 as demand for alternative energy grows.