Year in Review: Powin CTO on project execution, supply chain and regulatory challenges

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System integrator Powin contributes to the latest of our Year in Review series, after a year in which it expanded into Europe and launched a new BESS product.

Oregon-headquartered Powin will be a familiar name to Energy-Storage.news readers, having regularly ranked as one of the biggest battery energy storage system (BESS) integrators in the US and the world.

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The firm established a strong presence in its home market of the US before expanding into Australia with what was at the time one of the largest BESS projects in the world to enter construction in 2022, followed by a push into Europe with its first orders in the UK and Portugal last year. The firm also launched a new 5MWh BESS product, moving in line with the rest of the industry.

In this Year in Review Q&A, the company’s chief technology officer Himanshu Khurana touches on the firm’s recent major projects and internationalisation, as well as wider industry challenges around deployment, bankability and policy frameworks.

Energy-Storage.news: What did 2024 mean for the energy storage industry from your company’s perspective and the bigger picture?

Khurana: For Powin, 2024 was a year of delivering on our ambitious promises and achieving operational excellence. Our focus across 2024 evolved from innovation into flawless execution – ensuring projects were completed on time, within budget, and exceeding customer expectations.

A standout achievement underscoring our ability to handle complex, high-stakes deployments, was the successful delivery of the Waratah Super Battery – one of the world’s most powerful battery systems – enhancing grid reliability and supporting Australia’s renewable energy transition.

We also advanced large-scale projects across North America (Arizona, South Carolina, California, Texas) and expanded into new markets like Europe and Australia with strategic partnerships such as those with RES and Galp. The launch of the Powin Pod exemplified our ability to deliver scalable, reliable solutions to meet changing market demands – moving towards higher energy density systems for new projects, like the 5MWh DC Block.

Globally, 2024 saw record levels of energy storage installations. The emphasis for Powin was to make sure these systems were operational and reliable, addressing challenges like supply chain constraints, evolving regulatory environment, and support a successful interconnection process for developers. The industry’s shift from aspirations to tangible action underscored energy storage’s role in stabilising grids, integrating renewables, and accelerating the green energy transition.

What do you think 2025 will hold in terms of things to look forward to and challenges ahead?

In 2025, we expect significant growth in hybrid energy projects that combine solar, wind, and storage to optimise grid performance and reduce curtailment. These integrated systems will play a key role in balancing supply and demand while ensuring more efficient energy use overall.

Additionally, we anticipate policy advancements to unlock new opportunities for energy storage and drive further installations, particularly with the expected development of capacity market frameworks in key regions like the UK, Italy, and Spain.

However, challenges remain on the horizon. A key concern is the need for faster on-site delivery of materials and equipment to meet tight project timelines and the growing demand for energy storage solutions.

Additionally, managing projects of increasing size and complexity presents a significant challenge, requiring enhanced stakeholder coordination and experience to ensure seamless execution.

Regulatory barriers, such as delays in grid interconnection and inconsistent permitting processes, further add to the sector’s hurdles, potentially slowing progress.

What are some things people may not be aware of when considering the development of mature and emerging markets for energy storage?

The growth of energy storage markets, both mature and emerging, relies heavily on robust policy frameworks. For example, Spain highlights the importance of capacity markets, which provide predictable revenue streams, while the Netherlands demonstrates how grid fee reforms can lower costs and encourage co-located projects, unlocking the full potential of energy storage. Without such policies, projects may struggle to gain momentum.

In emerging markets, bankability remains a significant hurdle. The absence of consistent data and reliable financial models often deters investors, underscoring the need for industry collaboration to improve transparency and financial frameworks. Meanwhile, as markets mature, grid complexities become more challenging, increasing the importance of solutions like battery co-location and optimisation software to address constraints and enhance grid performance.

Are there any major market trends that readers should watch, particularly in technology, financing, or other aspects of the industry?

There are several key trends to watch in the energy storage sector. Battery recycling is one trend which is gaining significant momentum – driven by European regulations that push for end-of-life battery solutions. Advancements in recycling technologies will be crucial in ensuring a sustainable supply of critical materials for manufacturing of energy storage systems.

Additionally, the integration of AI and machine learning is transforming battery management and grid optimisation – with new technologies able to enhance system performance by providing real-time analytics and predictive insights. Access to detailed data is crucial in this process, enabling operators to make informed decisions, improve system reliability, and proactively address potential issues, maximising efficiency and extending asset lifespan.

Lastly, hybrid energy projects, especially solar-wind-storage combinations, are on the rise leading to the growing importance of grid-forming technologies. As grids incorporate higher levels of renewable energy, traditional grid stability provided by synchronous generators is diminishing. Grid-forming solutions are stepping in to fill this gap, enabling energy storage systems to deliver critical grid services like inertia, frequency regulation, and voltage stability.

What should the industry’s priorities be in 2025 and beyond?

As the energy storage industry continues to expand, its success in 2025 and beyond will depend on addressing critical priorities. These include ensuring cybersecurity, achieving operational excellence, and building supply chain resiliency to meet growing demand and evolving challenges. Key priorities include:

• Cybersecurity: With energy storage systems becoming increasingly digitalised and integral to the grid, robust cybersecurity measures are essential. Protection against sophisticated cyber threats, heightened by geopolitical tensions, must be prioritised.

• Operational excellence: delivering gigawatt-hour-scale projects requires skilled teams and streamlined processes. Companies must focus on meeting deadlines, achieving performance expectations, and maintaining efficiency in execution.

• Supply chain resilience: rising demand and geopolitical uncertainties necessitate a diverse supplier base and long-term partnerships. Sustainable practices, such as battery recycling and ethical sourcing, are crucial to ensure a reliable and robust supply chain capable of supporting high-quality project delivery.

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