Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are increasingly being positioned as essential infrastructure investments rather than purely financial assets, as seen in a series of strategic partnerships announced in late September that integrate storage with broader energy and digital infrastructure strategies.

Hitachi Energy has entered a 20-year service agreement with Australian developer Akaysha Energy to support the 155MW/298MWh Ulinda Park battery energy storage system (BESS) in Queensland’s Western Downs region.

System integrator Powin has completed a 5MW/20MWh BESS project co-located with solar in Portugal for Galp, an oil, gas and renewables company.

Hitachi Energy was ‘looking for a long time’ to add power conversion architecture to its offerings before its acquisition of Eks Energy (EKS), ESN Premium has heard.

Hitachi Energy has installed a 6.25MW/7.5MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in the Faroe Islands for utility SEV, with substantial benefits to a connected wind farm.

Hitachi Energy will supply equipment to improve the operational efficiency of a 45-year old pumped hydro plant in Austria for owner VERBUND.

A roundup of energy storage news stories from Europe.

Philippines power generator and utility Aboitiz Power will put a 49MW battery energy storage system into commercial operation this month, and has started construction on another.

Microgrid projects in the US states of Washington and Maryland combining battery storage, solar and vehicle-grid integration have gone online.

Japanese tech conglomerate Hitachi has bought the remaining 19.9% stake held in Hitachi Energy by its joint venture partner ABB.