Energy storage solutions and software company Greensmith Energy has installed its software platform at an existing energy storage site of giant US utility American Electric Power (AEP).

Software platforms are emerging as a crucial element in the rapidly expanding energy storage industry. Alex Eller of Navigant Research explains the crucial role software plays in underpinning the value of energy storage systems.

Energy storage software and integration specialist Greensmith Energy will partner power firm E.ON Climate and Renewables and the utility Tucson Electric Power (TEP) to provide software control for a utility-scale energy storage system next to a solar array in Arizona.

Behind-the-meter energy storage controls based around Nissan’s EV batteries and a ‘software-defined power plant’, both designed to incorporate a range of energy resources including solar, have been launched in the past week.