Battery developers face expertise gap as market expands

The rapid expansion of battery energy storage projects is outpacing industry expertise and regulatory frameworks, making strategic partnerships increasingly important, according to BNZ. The European renewable energy producer said battery energy storage systems require a higher degree of active management and technical specialization than conventional solar and wind assets, creating new challenges for developers and investors.

Gabriele Sommantico, head of business development at BNZ, said that storage has become an increasingly important part of Europe’s energy transition as growing renewable energy deployment drives demand for flexibility and grid-balancing services.

Sommantico said the battery sector is expanding rapidly, but unlike solar and wind projects, many storage developments are advancing within regulatory frameworks that are still evolving. As a result, developers must manage multiple technical, commercial and permitting processes simultaneously to bring projects online quickly enough to capture market opportunities.

Sommantico told pv magazine Italia that the speed of battery deployment is also exposing constraints in permitting systems and grid infrastructure. He said administrative processes are becoming increasingly complex and, in some cases, local opposition can create additional delays.

BNZ said the relative novelty of utility-scale battery storage means specialized expertise remains scarce across much of the industry. Sommantico said developers increasingly need long-term partnerships with investors, technology suppliers capable of guaranteeing system performance, and local development partners with knowledge of regional permitting requirements.

Such partnerships are becoming critical as battery projects adopt more complex revenue models that combine multiple market opportunities, including energy trading, grid services and renewable energy integration, he said. BNZ addresses this complexity through active asset management, technology partnerships and local market expertise, according to Sommantico.

From pv magazine Italia