Meeting Energy Demand with Battery Storage
September 23, 2025
The energy storage market continues to accelerate, reshaping the way we think about reliability and resilience on the grid. At this year’s RE+ conference in Las Vegas, TruGrid Chief Commercial Officer Chris Finley joined SunCast Media’s PowerUp Live stage to share how TruGrid is leading the way with battery energy storage systems (BESS) expertise and what lessons we are carrying forward for the industry.
Missed the live conversation? We’ve got you covered. Read the recap below.
Batteries Are Central to Reliability
At TruGrid, we view batteries as more than an accessory to renewables. They’re a cornerstone of grid reliability. Our projects show that storage is not only about supporting solar and wind but also about optimizing the grid across every energy source, including fossil fuels.
The power of batteries lies in their ability to:
- Capture excess energy instead of wasting it
- Boost resilience and reliability
- Deliver power when it’s needed most.
“Batteries are not generating anything. They are absorbing energy when we do not need it and deploying it when we absolutely do need it. That is an optimization play in any infrastructure, oil and gas, fossil fuels, renewables. It is necessary regardless of the technology it is supporting,” Finley explained.
Field crews work together to guide a BESS enclosure into position,
showcasing teamwork and skill on site.
Why TruGrid Invested in Battery-First EPC
TruGrid has made the strategic choice to primarily focus our engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services on batteries. The reason? Because the future of energy demands a partner that understands both the technical and operational complexity of storage. By building in-house expertise across design, planning, software integration, and hardware deployment, we help clients achieve seamless project execution and stronger long-term performance.
“We try to steer away from solar only projects to add accountability and partnership and to bring the value proposition of in-house investment around battery storage. At TruGrid, that means putting resources into experts who can design, plan, and execute, and who integrate software as well as hardware,” Finley noted.
Meeting the Demand of Data Centers
“A lot of these data center projects are modular in nature. You can sectionize them, build out what you need for power as you expand, and deploy solar and battery in months, maybe a year and a half. At TruGrid, we see this as a huge opportunity compared to traditional gas facilities that can take much longer,” Finley said.
The rapid growth of data centers highlights the urgency of scalable storage solutions. Reliability and speed of deployment are critical for this sector, and TruGrid is uniquely positioned to deliver. Our modular approach means clients can build power capacity in phases and achieve results much faster than with traditional generation.
Meeting the Demand of Data Centers
“A lot of these data center projects are modular in nature. You can sectionize them, build out what you need for power as you expand, and deploy solar and battery in months, maybe a year and a half. At TruGrid, we see this as a huge opportunity compared to traditional gas facilities that can take much longer,” Finley said.
The rapid growth of data centers highlights the urgency of scalable storage solutions. Reliability and speed of deployment are critical for this sector, and TruGrid is uniquely positioned to deliver. Our modular approach means clients can build power capacity in phases and achieve results much faster than with traditional generation.
Global Experience Driving U.S. Success
TruGrid’s team members have experience working across 16 countries, as well as all energy markets in the United States, allowing us to apply lessons from diverse markets to our projects. This vast perspective helps us anticipate risks, diversify solutions, and deliver resilient results for clients who are navigating different regulatory and operational environments.
“The lesson we bring back to the U.S. at TruGrid is staying humble. We are a large and well-established country, but we cannot become complacent. We need to stay diversified in our power availability. That is the broadest lesson we have learned internationally, and it is critical for the U.S. market going forward,” Finley reflected.
Staying Resilient Through Policy Shifts
“Stay true to your models. As developers and independent power producers, you have invested in renewables and in energy storage. Stay resilient. History does repeat itself. Investment tax credits have gone away and come back before. At TruGrid, we know the need is prevalent. Let us be practical and understand that together we are bringing solutions and maintaining a resilient grid,” Finley emphasized.
Energy policy and incentives will continue to evolve, but TruGrid’s focus remains steady. Our role is to help developers and IPPs stay resilient with solutions that deliver value regardless of incentive structures. By focusing on practical execution and strong partnerships, we ensure projects move forward with confidence.
TruGrid team members review system details on site,
combining expertise and collaboration to deliver energy solutions.
Why It Matters
At TruGrid, our work is about more than delivering projects on time—it’s about building confidence in the future of energy storage.
This year’s PowerUp Live reinforced the role we play as:
- A battery-first EPC delivering expertise from design to commissioning.
- A partner for fast-growing markets, including data centers and other critical infrastructure.
- A globally experienced builder applying lessons learned worldwide to strengthen U.S. projects.
- A resilient force in an industry shaped by evolving incentives and policies.
Ready to talk about your next project? 📧 sales@trugridpower.com