DigiTimes综述称美国储能监管趋严、本土组装受阻并重提Fluence下调指引，无新增可交易事实

As geopolitical tensions reshape global supply chains, US regulations governing energy and battery energy storage systems (BESS) are undergoing rapid and unpredictable changes.

US supply chain sources said the government has recently introduced additional administrative requirements and tariff measures, significantly raising the barriers to qualifying for federal incentives.
However, even as Washington intensifies efforts to promote domestic manufacturing, the US energy storage supply chain continues to face serious technological, labor, and material constraints, creating further uncertainty over the pace of localization.
New import restrictions force large-scale energy storage assembly into the US
According to US supply chain sources, regulatory changes affecting energy storage systems have accelerated considerably, with authorities introducing increasingly stringent measures to close potential loopholes on a near-weekly basis.
Over the past month, the US government has reportedly imposed targeted restrictions on large-scale DC Plus energy storage systems designed for high-voltage grids operating above 69kV.
These systems are typically housed in 20- to 40-foot shipping containers. Under the new restrictions described by industry sources, fully assembled systems can no longer clear US customs directly. Only battery cells and modules are permitted for import, effectively requiring downstream system integration and assembly to take place domestically.
Meanwhile, eligibility requirements for federal incentives have become increasingly stringent, including provisions concerning foreign entities of concern (FEOCs).
Additional requirements are gradually being incorporated into regulations, raising compliance thresholds for manufacturers. The US-made content requirement for energy storage systems has reached 55% in 2026 and is expected to increase to 60% in 2027.
Industry sources warned that the existing requirements are already demanding. Further tightening in the near term could inadvertently slow the development of domestic manufacturing capacity.
Nevertheless, companies that fail to meet the required thresholds risk losing access to the substantial 30% federal incentive. US authorities have also reportedly expanded their scrutiny to components including power conversion systems (PCS), communication chips, steel and aluminum.
The requirements extend to equipment maintenance, with restrictions preventing suppliers from sensitive countries from remotely controlling repair operations. Maintenance must instead be arranged locally through US-based contracts. Together, these measures have substantially increased the barriers to entering the US energy storage market.
Domestic production struggles despite generous federal incentives
US industry participants acknowledged that although generous government subsidies have attracted manufacturers to relocate production to the country, implementing domestic manufacturing remains exceptionally challenging.
The underlying technologies may be available, but establishing large-scale production capacity cannot be achieved quickly.
One of the most difficult obstacles is the shortage of skilled workers needed for lithium-ion battery cell manufacturing and other foundational industrial processes. Fluence, a major US energy storage system supplier, has recently encountered significant production and delivery disruptions at its outsourced manufacturing facility in Houston.
According to industry sources, severe labor shortages and delays in production ramp-up have repeatedly affected operations, prompting the company to lower its full-year 2026 financial guidance by as much as 20%.
AI-driven electricity demand adds pressure to delivery schedules
The rapid growth of AI-related electricity demand has generated substantial orders for major US energy storage suppliers, including Tesla and Fluence. However, industry sources said the companies' biggest challenge is no longer securing customer orders but obtaining sufficient US-based manufacturing capacity to fulfill them.
Two major factors are complicating the situation.
First, continuously changing regulations are affecting actual manufacturing schedules, making materials and components considerably more difficult to procure than in the past. Second, many energy storage contracts include binding delivery schedules, exposing suppliers to financial penalties if they fail to meet contractual deadlines.
As a result, manufacturers face mounting pressure to expand production while simultaneously navigating regulatory uncertainty and supply chain disruptions.
Battery cell expertise remains a major obstacle to US localization
Industry sources emphasized that the shortage of experienced technical workers presents a particularly serious challenge to establishing a fully localized US energy storage supply chain. Critical lithium-ion battery manufacturing processes, including electrode coating, depend heavily on practical expertise accumulated through years of production experience.
Manufacturers must also comply with complex environmental regulations governing production containers, air pollution control, and other aspects of battery manufacturing. Without sufficient skilled personnel, industry sources believe the US will be unable to establish a comprehensive domestic supply chain for battery cells and energy storage systems in the near term.
The combination of increasingly restrictive regulations, limited manufacturing expertise, and persistent labor shortages is therefore complicating Washington's efforts to accelerate energy storage localization, even as domestic demand continues to grow.