Per the article… Yes. Batteries are counted as a source by the EIA, not just the writer’s opinion. They can supply power on demand, so it counts. It doesn’t seem that gas is slow because it’s mature, but rather it’s just not as enticing. It says one single gas plant was added and provided just 2% of the increased energy production whereas wind was 7, batteries were 20, and solar was more than all of that.
Yeah my original comment here was a lot more breathy than it should have been. I’m not critical of the article it’s definitely uplifting and accurate. But I think new battery tech on the grid would see usefulness even if renewables weren’t inconsistent, but that’s a whole different topic I suppose.