The rapidly expanding energy storage market presents immense opportunities, but it also introduces significant challenges. TruGrid’s Chief Commercial Officer, Chris Finley, joined SunCast Media’s PowerUp Podcast at RE+ for a live interview to share key insights on the biggest topics in energy storage – from streamlining commissioning processes to ensuring successful battery integration.
Missed the podcast? No worries. We broke the episode down for you.
Streamlining the Commissioning Process
Clients are increasingly looking for solutions to streamline the back end of the commissioning process. A significant challenge in the energy storage sector is the integration of multiple systems, such as energy management systems and battery management systems, into one cohesive operating system.
“TruGrid tackles this by developing detailed plans ahead of time, including bench testing equipment to ensure seamless deployment of their software solution on-site,” stated Finley in the podcast.
Industry Bottlenecks and Proactive Planning
The energy storage industry often encounters challenges due to the complexity of project management and supply chain logistics.
Finley emphasized TruGrid’s proactive approach, explaining, “We work closely with developers to put comprehensive plans in place from the start. It’s crucial that each team member understands their role and responsibilities early on, so that we can streamline the process and ensure every aspect of the project runs efficiently.”
This ensures smoother execution and helps address bottlenecks before they arise.
Clean Energy and Battery Supply
Chris touched on the importance of knowing where batteries come from and leaning into clean energy production. He states, “integration of wind, solar, and batteries contributes to generating cleaner energy and emphasized the need to reduce the time to contract and address operational challenges early.”
Reducing Project Risk & Maximizing ROI
No asset owner wants to prolong their commercial operation date, but far too often, that happens in the industry due to commissioning blackouts. Not at TruGrid. Our solution preemptively designs the integration plan before deploying equipment, ensuring smooth execution and minimized downtime.
TruGrid is an engineering, procurement, construction (EPC) and integration company that understands regional and project-specific challenges, making sure projects are not just designed but also practically executable. In fact, we’re known in the industry for our integration and commissioning expertise – so much so that asset owners who work with other EPCs often come to us to finalize their projects when they find themselves in a commissioning blackout.
Supply Chain Challenges
The energy storage supply chain faces significant challenges, particularly regarding logistics, trade policy, and national security.
Finley explains, “We’ve learned a lot from solar, and many of those lessons can be applied to batteries as well. By adapting our approach, TruGrid overcomes supply chain bottlenecks to ensure smooth project delivery.”
This cross-technology insight allows TruGrid to streamline processes and mitigate common supply chain issues for more efficient execution.
The Importance of Active Partnership
TruGrid’s role as an EPC isn’t limited to delivering plans. A successful EPC must be hands-on, actively managing risk profiles and working closely with developers to adjust strategies as needed. TruGrid positions itself as a proactive partner, engaging in real-time data sharing and feedback loops to optimize project outcomes.
O&M Services and Safety
TruGrid also offers operations & maintenance (O&M) services, focusing on long-term project health and safety. Proactive maintenance and feedback loops with our O&M teams lead to impactful asset insights that can anticipate failures and prevent issues such as battery fires. TruGrid collaborates with local authorities and specification groups to ensure long-term safety and operational success.
EPC’s Role in Pricing and Procurement
TruGrid is actively involved in pricing discussions with developers.
In the podcast, Finley states, “When it comes to design and procurement, we bring additional value by offering real-time insights. We’re not just here to build—we challenge developers to make the best decisions for long-term success.”
By partnering with developers in this way, TruGrid ensures optimal project execution, offering critical input on infrastructure components to improve project outcomes.
Want to watch the full podcast? Check it out here.
Ready to make a cleaner future together? Let’s talk. Email us at sales@trugridpower.com.