The global production pipeline for energy storage grew 45% in the last three months of 2015, driven by falling battery costs, government funding, and formal tenders from power utilities, according to the technology division of fossil fuel analyst firm IHS.

“Suppliers and developers around the world are preparing for a record year in 2016, with significant growth projected in a wide range of regions and market segments,” said IHS principal analyst Marianne Boust. The firm tallied nearly 3 GW of storage projects in operation or planned, with the Americas capturing the lion’s share of the activity.

“Company announcements from across the globe signify a busy market ahead,” Runyon writes, with projects in progress or taking shape from Ontario and Ohio to Germany and Japan.