How battery storage is shaping the future 

Ian Sykes, Energy, Utilities, and Commodities Client Principal at BJSS, now part of CGI, explores the evolving world of energy storage, where innovative systems and technologies are providing a solution to economic and sustainability challenges. 

Soaring energy costs, a growing focus on sustainability and geopolitical tensions are driving a critical debate about the future of the energy industry. While renewable energy offers a promising solution to these challenges, its inherent intermittency poses a considerable obstacle to delivering the levels of reliability we’ve all come to expect. Advanced battery storage systems are playing an increasingly vital role in supporting this transition, reducing exposure to wholesale electricity price volatility. This strategic energy management not only empowers consumers and lowers costs, but it also contributes to the overall stability and resilience of the electrical grid.

Powering change with storage solutions 

Energy storage systems are fundamentally transforming the energy market by providing a range of benefits to stakeholders across the energy ecosystem. For example, at a strategic level, policymakers with a focus on enhancing the UK’s energy security eye these systems to address volatility in the electricity market and ensure a stable energy supply. 

At a consumer level, energy storage systems empower individuals to control their energy bills by stockpiling electricity when prices are low, and then drawing down from the cheap, stored energy when prices are high. Meanwhile, for energy providers, the ability to influence customer consumption outside of peak periods helps improve operational margins. Ultimately, advanced storage solutions separate energy production from usage, providing market participants with the agency and flexibility to align their energy choices with their specific priorities – whether that’s affordability, reliability or sustainability, or a balance of all three. 

Battery storage systems also play a key role in supporting renewable energy sources, which are central to the UK government’s energy strategy. Indeed, the UK government is aiming for at least 95 percent of electricity generation to come from low-carbon sources by 2030, and achieving this is expected to drive high levels of energy investment of around £40 billion per year between 2025-2030. 

Storing surplus energy produced during times of peak sunlight or heavy winds to be used when production drops, such as at night or during calmer weather, also helps to reduce the reliance on imported fossil fuels. This is a key element of energy independence and enables the UK to reduce its exposure to the impacts of geopolitical factors on global energy prices. 

Building a smarter grid 

Optimizing energy storage systems also relies heavily on the integration of technology, where Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, artificial intelligence (AI), Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS) and digital twins work together as a stack to form a smart storage network. The integration of these components is critical: IoT sensors provide real-time visibility, while AI and digital twins enable analysis and informed decision making. At the same time, DERMS enables physical state changes within the energy system, allowing for the strategic management of distributed energy resources, while APIs facilitate the seamless integration between the various technologies. 

Beyond this, sensors can also communicate with other grid components, helping to balance supply and demand in the pursuit of creating a more resilient grid. This can be seen through ENGIE’s Darwin platform, which connects the organization’s entire global network of wind and solar power plants, enabling operators to quickly collect and share production data to optimize performance. Or CGI’s Renewables Management System (RMS), an AI-enabled end-to-end platform for renewable operations, which uses AI and machine learning to proactively and effectively manage renewable assets and data sources. This provides actionable insights into daily energy operations and enables more informed, timely and strategic decisions. 

Utilizing these technologies will allow companies to improve their energy management systems, provide consumers with a more reliable power supply, and deliver cost savings for both. Ultimately, technologically advanced storage systems will contribute to a more efficient and resilient energy ecosystem, for everyone.  

Ian Sykes 

www.bjss.com 

Ian Sykes is the Client Principal for Energy, Commodities and Utilities at BJSS, now part of CGI. With over 25 years’ global experience in utilities, smart metering, and IoT, Ian collaborates with clients to deliver innovative, data-driven solutions that support decarbonisation, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency. A recognised thought leader, he regularly contributes to industry forums and publications focused on the energy transition and digital innovation.