Battery energy storage systems (BESS) play a vital role in today’s electricity grid — responding instantly to keep supply and demand in balance. Their potential, however, extends far beyond short-term stabilisation.
Why battery storage matters more than ever
As the energy system transforms, the need for flexibility is growing – and battery energy storage systems are perfectly positioned to meet it. According to Antti Korpelainen, COO at Olana Energy, three main factors are driving the shift:
- Less predictability in energy supply
The green transition is accelerating the shift toward renewable energy sources like solar and wind. While crucial to decarbonisation, they bring new challenges to system stability. “When production is weather-dependent, the system becomes harder to control,” Korpelainen says. “That’s when balancing and flexibility become essential.”
- Loss of inertia from phasing out traditional generation
As combustion-based power plants are shut down, the grid loses the stabilising effect of large rotating turbines. “The loss of inertia increases the need for rapid-response solutions,” Korpelainen explains. “And storage systems are stepping in to fill that gap.”
- New patterns of electricity consumption
Emerging energy-intensive sectors, like data centres and hydrogen production, are entering the system with steady, continuous demand. At the same time, overall electricity use is expected to grow significantly due to the electrification of industry and society.
A market that’s moving fast and scaling up
Battery storage is no longer just a promising idea; it’s being built at scale.
“In Finland, we already have hundreds of megawatts of battery capacity either in operation or under construction,” Korpelainen notes. “And we’re likely moving into the gigawatt range within the next three to five years.”
This surge in activity reflects a strong belief in the investment logic behind storage systems. “It’s widely regarded as a good investment with attractive returns,” says Antti. “That’s the main driver behind most projects.”
Beyond return on investment, energy storage plays a key role in helping companies balance increasingly weather-dependent energy portfolios.
From daily cycles to seasonal shifts
Today, battery storage is primarily used to respond to short-term, rapid fluctuations. “We’re talking about things happening in under a second, or within minutes,” Korpelainen says. “The battery helps fine-tune the system continuously, ensuring that the grid stays balanced.”
However, the role of storage is evolving, and this includes technologies beyond battery storage, which is just one (electrochemical) way of storing energy. In the near future, systems are expected to shift energy not only within a single day, but also across days, weeks – and eventually entire seasons.
“That development depends on several factors. The share of wind and solar in the system, the pace of industrial electrification, just to name a few,” Korpelainen notes. “But the main limitation is economic feasibility. If storage technologies become more affordable, then storing energy from summer for use in winter becomes a real possibility.”
Pushing boundaries through collaboration
In emerging technologies like battery storage, collaboration plays a key role.
“To unlock long-term potential – such as the ability to shift energy between seasons—you need partners who not only understand the technical fundamentals, but who are also willing to challenge conventions and explore new approaches.”
Deep technical expertise remains a baseline – electrical systems, construction and project execution must all be in place. However, partners who contribute actively to the development process, ask sharp questions, and test new approaches often make the biggest difference.
Prohoc: ownership, quality – and the courage to question
In a previous role, Korpelainen collaborated with Prohoc – and saw firsthand what it means when a partner combines technical expertise with a forward-looking approach.
“What stood out was the strong sense of ownership and pride in their work. Prohoc didn’t just deliver – they constantly looked for smarter ways to get things done. They questioned, improved, and brought fresh thinking across every part of the project.”
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