Batteries Replacing Peakers?

During an extended summer heat wave, energy demands peak as consumers use air conditioners and powered fans - the demand on the grid is at its most intense.  Traditionally, utilities have relied on "peakers," power stations (typically natural gas) that provide power to electrical grids during the peak times of demand. These peakers must be ready to respond as quickly as possible when peak demands occur, therefore, they are always kept idling - even though most of time the energy they produce is not needed.  It's an inefficient model that raises electricity rates.

As an alternative to peakers, batteries can store power (from grid electricity or from intermittent sources such as solar and wind), then discharge it when peak demand occurs -- without burning natural gas and emitting carbon dioxide or other pollutants.  

Batteries Make Sense