Chargetrip is an Amsterdam-based software company that provides a smart EV (Electric Vehicle) routing engine and e-mobility intelligence platform. Through its APIs and no-code tools, it helps automakers, fleet operators, and charging networks build custom route planners, simulate energy consumption, and predict accurate real-time driving ranges for over 1,500 EV models.

Headquartered in the Netherlands, their technology is widely integrated into brand-owned apps, web-based route planners, and in-car navigation systems for companies like Porsche, Siemens, and Plugsurfing.

Connect with Gideon van Dijk on LinkedIn.

00:00 – The Problem Chargetrip Solves03:45 – 10 Years Building in E-Mobility06:30 – What They Got Right (and Wrong) About EV Adoption08:00 – The First Customer: Norway’s EV Association11:00 – How Chargetrip’s Routing Engine Works14:00 – Different Customers, Different KPIs17:00 – The Hardest Part of Scaling19:30 – Selling into Automotive and Energy Giants24:00 – Commercial EV Fleets: The Next Growth Frontier27:00 – Advice for Mobility Founders29:00 – Closing Thoughts & What’s Next

The State of European EV Charging Infrastructure

The electric vehicle (EV) market is transitioning from an early phase focused on mass deployment of charging points to a phase focused on expanding overall charging capacity, mainly through high-power charging. Consequently, local grid constraints are emerging as one of the main bottlenecks.

State of the Market

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global private charging points for light-duty vehicles (LDVs) reached over 43 million in 2025, supporting a global electric LDV fleet of roughly 76 million. Meanwhile, the public charging infrastructure expanded by more than 33% in 2025, surpassing 7 million public charging points worldwide.

With the diversification and maturation of the EV market toward an economic mass market, the average price of a vehicle decreased while battery capacity and driving range remained broadly stable.

At the same time, higher oil prices increased the financial attractiveness of EVs. The IEA notes that financial savings associated with driving an EV rather than a gasoline car have risen between 20% and 45% in most countries.

Home vs. Public Charging

Home charging remains the preferred and cheapest method. In Norway, 90% of EV owners can charge at home. Many European countries offer direct subsidies for charging at home.

To prevent residential charging from overloading local grids, regulatory frameworks have been increasingly introduced in Europe:

* Germany: Key regulations such as §14a of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG) incentivise grid-friendly charging and smart load management by allowing distribution system operators to temporarily control flexible loads during periods of grid congestion, in return for reduced grid charges.

* The Netherlands: According to the Charging Report 2026 by gridX, the majority of home charging EV drivers already have solar (PV) systems, making smart home charging the standard baseline in the Netherlands.

In contrast, public fast charging is associated with a considerable price premium. In some markets, public fast-charging tariffs can be up to 240% higher than residential electricity rates.

The High-Power Transition

Worldwide deployment is increasingly prioritizing high-power, ultra-fast charging. The IEA shows that the average speed of charging points worldwide increased by 15% in one year, rising from approximately 40kW in 2024 to nearly 50kW in 2025.

* Germany: In Europe, Germany leads in the deployment of ultra-fast chargers, with its share of ultra-fast chargers increasing from 4% in 2020 to 19% in 2025.

* The Netherlands: Following its leading position in Europe in terms of density, the share of high-speed chargers in the Netherlands doubled, while slow chargers experienced a relative decline.

International Energy Agency (IEA) (2026). Licence: CC BY 4.0.

Commercial Fleet Electrification

While dedicated charging infrastructure for electric trucks and heavy commercial fleets grows steadily, overnight depot charging will remain the backbone of such fleets for many years. However, there is growing momentum behind heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) charging corridors on the highways.

* China: Leads global development with 5,000 to 9,000 public HDV charging stations – representing an estimated 70,000 individual charging points – supported by integrated grid planning.

* Europe: Follows with over 4,000 public HDV charging points, supported by major EU funding commitments such as the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Facility (AFIF).

Smart Grids & Virtual Extension

The most pressing constraint on the development of high-power fast charging remains the grid, as high-power fast charging also creates energy demand peaks. To bypass grid upgrade delays, digital and hardware solutions are increasingly gaining relevance:

* Virtual Grid Extensions: Using battery energy storage systems (BESS) at charging stations to moderate power on-site.

* Software Optimization: Implementing dynamic tariff management, peak shaving, and dynamic load balancing.

Finally, fast-charging corridors are expanding providing more flexibility for EV users. Nevertheless, home charging remains the backbone of e-mobility, and private charging capacity is expected to increase almost ninefold by 2035.

Gridio is an Estonian cleantech startup that builds software to optimize when electric vehicles (and other home devices) consume electricity, aligning usage with cheap, renewable-heavy hours to cut costs and ease grid stress.

Gridio’s core product automatically schedules EV charging based on real-time electricity prices, grid congestion signals, and renewable availability, so cars charge when it’s cheapest and cleanest without user intervention. The software connects directly to OEM clouds (car manufacturers) and to solar/battery inverters, so users don’t need extra hardware to enable smart charging. It offers a consumer app across the EU and also provides API/white-label “smart charging as a service” for businesses with EV drivers (e.g., fleets, energy retailers, employers).

Connect with Braeden Holmes on LinkedIn here.

00:00 – Introduction: Why EV Flexibility Matters02:20 – Building Gridio: From B2C Proof of Concept to B2B Scale05:30 – Solving the OEM Challenge09:15 – Selling to Utilities: The Long Road to Scale13:30 – Europe’s Innovation Landscape15:45 – The Biggest Scaling Challenge: Changing Minds19:00 – From Pilot to Procurement22:00 – Winning Tenders and Scaling Deployments25:00 – The Future of EV Flexibility28:00 – Advice for Climate Tech Founders

The State of Vehicle-to-Grid Technologies

Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) is a smart charging system that enables a bidirectional flow of energy between EVs and the power grid. The EV can feed electricity back into the grid during peak demand hours, mitigating grid constraints. To achieve this the vehicle must be connected to a compatible bidirectional charging station, communicating with the local utility provider.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), a regulatory milestone was reached when “Germany eliminated double grid fees for bidirectional charging points at the end of 2025”, effectively clearing the path for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) commercialization. Before this shift, electric vehicle (EV) owners were financially penalized, paying grid fees twice: once when charging the vehicle and again when feeding energy back into the system. Drawing from the latest reports by the IEA, this article breaks down how the technology works, the economic incentives and hurdles left to clear.

BloombergNEF’s Electric Vehicle Outlook forecasts that the global EV fleet’s consumption will skyrocket from 367 terawatt-hours in 2025 to over 2,700 terawatt-hours by 2040. This is why the global grid infrastructure will require an investment of over $800 billion by 2040. Consequently, V2G can be seen as a significant opportunity for grid expansion. For instance, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) recently invested $16.8 million to expand residential V2G projects, accelerating the adoption of EVs as flexible energy assets.

How It Works

AC vs. DC Charging

To enable bidirectional power transfer, power electronics must convert electricity, while strictly complying with utility grid standards. Currently, the market offers two technological paths:

* AC (Alternating Current) Charging: In this setup, the vehicle converts the battery’s DC power to the grid’s AC power. The external charger acts merely as a communication link.

* DC (Direct Current) Charging: Here the vehicle exports DC electricity straight out of the battery. The external DC charger converts the power to AC. The external charger is responsible for grid compliance and tracking real-time grid stability.

The Rise of Dynamic Tariffs

For individual EV owners, the transition from consumer to energy trader relies on software innovations. While retail consumers traditionally pay a flat rate for electricity, utilities trade on volatile energy exchange markets. During midday, when solar generation is high, the prices usually drop. In the evening peak hours, as people return home and switch on household appliances, demand increases, forcing utilities to turn on power stations.

V2G eliminates this inefficiency through dynamic electricity tariffs, adjusting consumer electricity prices in short intervals based on the market conditions. The charging station management system (CSMS) calculates optimal charging schedules, allowing the vehicle to acquire energy when it’s cheapest and sell it back when demand is high.

From Car Owner to Energy Trader

The IEA estimates that EV owners participating in V2G grid services can generate revenues ranging to over $1000 per year.

The EV owners can create revenue through three primary value streams:

* Energy Arbitrage: Charging when demand is low and discharging when prices are high.

* Ancillary Services: Providing frequency and voltage stability to grid operators, by adjusting charging times.

* Blackout Support: Offer emergency power source to help restore electricity during grid failures.

However, the window of high profitability may not last forever. As many more EVs join the grid and offer V2G, the supply of stability services will skyrocket, causing financial returns to eventually decline. But at the moment, vehicle availability remains scarce, less than 1,5% of all EV models possess V2G capabilities, representing only 22 models, as depicted by the IEA.

International Energy Agency (IEA) (2026). License: CC BY 4.0.

Challenges

At the moment, V2G faces two main challenges:

* Protocol Fragmentations: The universal communication standard for bidirectional charging, ISO 15118-20, is still inconsistently implemented. Additionally, most V2G offers remain isolated within single countries, due to different grid regulations.

* Battery Degradation: EV owners have feared that V2G would destroy their battery’s health. However, smart charging can actually reduce capacity loss, compared to uncontrolled charging. Scaling of V2G relies on the integration of advanced battery management systems featuring predictive degradation models.

All in all, with increasing demand for energy and a growing number of EVs on the road, V2G offers an opportunity to stabilize the grid, by adapting to dynamic electricity tariffs. Car owners can generate revenue, while optimizing the battery health. However, the international communication standard still requires global adoption.

Finmile is an AI-powered logistics execution platform that serves as an operating system for last-mile delivery, dispatch, and field operations. It provides end-to-end management, including AI-driven route optimization, proof of delivery (ePOD), returns management, and real-time fleet tracking.

Finmile has a strong footprint in London, Europe, and the US, helping logistics companies, e-commerce retailers, and delivery service providers (DSPs) cut costs by up to 42%.

Connect with Rich Pleeth here on LinkedIn.

00:00 – Why last-mile logistics is one of climate’s biggest hidden challenges01:03 – The Problem: Why Logistics Still Runs on Spreadsheets06:02 – Building Finmile07:01 – Why Even Amazon Struggles with Last-Mile Logistics09:18 – Inside Finmile’s AI Operating System11:27 – What Agentic AI Actually Means for delivery workers13:30 – Selling Cost Savings, Delivering Climate Impact17:52 – Scaling Finmile21:22 – Customer Success Stories24:00 – Partnerships as a Growth Strategy25:33 – What’s Next for Finmile26:26 – The Future of Logistics28:06 – What Finmile is Looking For

Efficient Logistics Routing - it’s also an environmental solution

When we think of logistics, we usually picture a fleet of delivery vans dropping off packages on our doorsteps. But logistics involves much more than parcel deliveries. One often overlooked aspect of urban mobility is service logistics. Take your local plumber or electrician as an example. We have all experienced the typical 9 am to 1 pm arrival window, leaving us waiting at home for hours. Efficient service routing helps address this issue by providing more accurate estimated times of arrival. Essentially, this is achieved by combining route optimization with parts management. Even before the journey begins, the software ensures that the right parts are loaded onto the right van, preventing double-trips and therefore avoiding unnecessary CO2 emissions.

While service logistics create opportunities for improving efficiency, delivery logistics show room for improvement as well. Consumers have become increasingly accustomed to same-day delivery, driven by what is often called the Amazon Effect. This shift is forcing more half-empty vans onto the road, which makes efficient routing even more important.

From Static to Dynamic Routing

According to Locus, routing inefficiency increases costs, causes longer delivery times, as well as low route adherence and increases fuel consumption. The European Commission also highlights that optimizing urban freight transport and last-mile delivery is instrumental in reducing congestion and emissions. By adjusting to real-time disruptions like traffic congestion and weather delays, as well as last-minute order changes, efficiency can be improved. Achieving this requires a shift from the current static system, where routes are planned the night before, to a more dynamic system which updates routes mid-journey with the help of AI.

Route Optimization

As explained by AREALCONTROL, route optimization relies on algorithms to improve delivery routes. These algorithms are designed to solve complex routing problems involving multiple vehicles. There are different kinds of algorithms:

* Shortest path algorithms solve the problem of finding the best route between two locations.

* Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) solvers address a more complex optimization problem by determining optimal routes for multiple vehicles, while satisfying constraints such as vehicle capacity, driver working hours, and customer delivery time windows.

* AI based methods - for situations where demand patterns change quickly, for example, same-day deliveries.

The foundation of all optimization methods is high-quality data, including digital maps, GPS tracking, real-time traffic information, operational constraints, and other factors such as weather conditions.

Source: World Economic Forum, Intelligent Transport, Greener Future: AI as a Catalyst to Decarbonize Global Logistics (January 2025).

Potential Reduction in Emissions through AI

According to the World Economic Forum, “the global transportation industry is responsible for up to 25% of all greenhouse gas emissions, with freight logistics accounting for 7-8% of global emissions.” AI offers a significant opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the freight logistic sector. Enhancing the operational efficiency across road transport, maritime services, the aviation and rail transport, could reduce emissions by 4-7%. Further, improving capacity utilization could reduce global freight emissions by 2-4%. In total, the freight logistics industry could potentially reduce its emissions by 10-15%.

The climate impact is clear: efficient logistics reduces greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and improves local air quality, especially in traffic-congested areas.

As battery prices continue to fall, it’s easy to assume that cost remains the biggest factor in purchasing Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

But according to Martin Riegler, CEO of GridHive Energy, the conversation has fundamentally changed.

At Intersolar Europe, we discussed why customers are increasingly looking beyond hardware and focusing on integrated, future-proof energy solutions that deliver value over the long term.

Customers are buying outcomes, not batteries

Only a few years ago, battery discussions were dominated by one question: How much does it cost per kilowatt-hour?

Today, customers are asking something very different.

Can this system adapt as my business grows? Will it integrate with future technologies? Can it continue delivering value over the next 10 to 15 years?

For commercial and industrial customers, battery storage is no longer viewed as a standalone asset. It’s becoming part of a wider energy ecosystem that includes solar generation, electric vehicle charging, backup power, and energy management software.

Turnkey solutions reduce complexity

As energy systems become more sophisticated, businesses increasingly want a single partner who can deliver hardware, software, installation, and ongoing support.

Martin explained that turnkey solutions simplify deployment while giving customers confidence that their systems will continue to evolve alongside changing technologies and operational needs.

For many organizations—particularly small and medium-sized enterprises—this integrated approach reduces risk and makes the transition to electrification more manageable.

Collaboration drives successful projects

Technology alone doesn’t determine whether a BESS project succeeds.

Martin emphasized that the strongest projects bring every stakeholder together from the very beginning: developers, grid operators, investors, technology providers, EPC contractors, and ultimately the asset owner.

When technical, commercial, and operational priorities are aligned early, projects are more likely to perform successfully throughout their lifetime.

It’s a reminder that successful energy infrastructure is built as much on collaboration as it is on engineering.

Electrification is becoming a business decision

One of the most optimistic parts of our conversation focused on why businesses are continuing to invest despite economic uncertainty.

For many companies, electrification is no longer driven primarily by sustainability targets or government subsidies. It’s becoming a commercial decision.

By combining solar generation, battery storage, backup systems, and fleet electrification, businesses can reduce their exposure to volatile energy prices while creating greater certainty over long-term operating costs.

Rather than waiting for the next subsidy program, many organizations are recognizing that the economics of clean energy increasingly stand on their own.

Final Thoughts

The battery storage industry is entering a new phase of maturity.

While falling battery prices have helped accelerate adoption, long-term success will increasingly depend on delivering integrated solutions that combine technology, software, service, and strategic partnerships.

As Martin highlighted, the companies creating the most value won’t simply install batteries—they’ll help customers build resilient, future-ready energy systems that support their businesses for decades to come.

🎥 Watch the full interview to hear Martin Riegler share why turnkey energy solutions are becoming the new standard, what today’s customers expect from battery storage providers, and why electrification is increasingly driven by long-term business value rather than subsidies.

As Europe’s Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) market continues to expand, manufacturers are investing heavily in technology, production capacity, and new market opportunities.

But according to Peter Hawranke of Sicher & Sicher Group, technical innovation is only part of the equation.

At Intersolar Europe, we discussed why companies entering Europe—particularly international manufacturers—need to think beyond products and consider the legal, operational, and cybersecurity risks that come with operating in one of the world’s most highly regulated markets.

Risk management starts long before something goes wrong

For companies expanding into Europe, compliance can often feel like another administrative hurdle.

Peter sees it differently.

Strong compliance, governance, and risk management frameworks aren’t simply about satisfying regulations—they’re about ensuring a company can respond quickly and effectively when unexpected issues arise.

Whether it’s a contractual dispute, an intellectual property claim, or a reputational issue on social media, having the right processes and protections in place can significantly reduce both financial and operational disruption.

European customers expect more than a great product

As battery manufacturers expand internationally, customers are increasingly asking questions that go far beyond product performance.

Do you have the appropriate liability coverage?

Can you demonstrate robust compliance procedures?

How would you respond to a product recall?

These are becoming standard due diligence questions for utilities, developers, and project partners across Europe.

For international companies, particularly those entering the European market for the first time, preparing for these conversations is becoming just as important as demonstrating technical performance.

Cybersecurity is becoming part of energy security

One of the strongest themes from our discussion was cybersecurity.

As battery storage becomes an integral part of critical energy infrastructure, the potential consequences of cyberattacks increase significantly.

Battery systems are no longer standalone assets—they are connected to increasingly digital electricity networks, making cybersecurity an essential component of project development and long-term operations.

Protecting infrastructure now means protecting both physical assets and the digital systems that control them.

Planning for resilience

While it’s impossible to eliminate every risk, organizations can build resilience through preparation.

That includes:

* Establishing clear governance and compliance processes.

* Understanding customer and regulatory expectations.

* Developing response plans for operational and reputational incidents.

* Strengthening cybersecurity alongside physical safety measures.

Companies that invest in these capabilities early are often better positioned to respond when challenges inevitably arise.

Final Thoughts

The battery energy storage industry is evolving rapidly, but success in Europe will depend on more than delivering innovative technology.

As projects become larger, more connected, and more strategically important, manufacturers must also demonstrate that they can manage risk responsibly and operate with confidence in complex regulatory environments.

Innovation may open the door—but trust, resilience, and preparedness are what sustain long-term growth.

🎥 Watch the full interview to hear Peter Hawranke discuss why risk management is becoming a strategic advantage for battery storage companies and how manufacturers can prepare for the legal, operational, and cybersecurity challenges of Europe’s evolving energy market.

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are transforming Europe’s electricity system, but simply owning a battery is no longer enough to maximize its value.

At Intersolar Europe, Aneri spoke with Marco Svetina, Founder and Chief Product Officer at BMZ Solar, about why Independent Power Producers (IPPs) need to think beyond hardware and focus on optimization, agility, and market access.

As Europe’s electricity markets become more dynamic, the real competitive advantage is no longer just battery capacity—it’s knowing how to use that capacity.

The hidden challenge for Independent Power Producers

According to Marco, one of the biggest barriers facing many IPPs isn’t technology—it’s access.

Large utilities have spent decades participating across multiple electricity markets, allowing them to optimize assets and respond to changing market conditions. Many newer market entrants simply don’t have the same level of access or experience.

Without the ability to participate across multiple revenue streams, battery owners risk leaving significant value on the table.

As battery storage becomes more widespread, understanding market participation will be just as important as selecting the right technology.

Optimization is about more than today’s revenue

A common question for battery owners is whether they should maximize short-term profits or preserve battery life for the future.

Marco argues that the answer isn’t necessarily choosing one over the other.

Instead, success depends on understanding how electricity markets evolve over time. The value of flexibility changes rapidly, and operators need to anticipate where opportunities will emerge rather than relying on a single revenue source.

This requires not only market knowledge, but also sophisticated forecasting and optimization tools that can respond to changing price signals.

Agility is becoming a critical asset

One of the most interesting insights from our conversation was Marco’s emphasis on agility.

Historically, energy assets were designed around long-term forecasts and relatively stable markets.

Today’s energy system looks very different.

As renewable generation increases and electricity markets become more dynamic, battery operators need the flexibility to adapt quickly. That means being able to move between different market opportunities, respond to regulatory changes, and optimise performance in real time.

Rather than committing to one market for the life of an asset, operators need the ability to pivot as conditions change.

Software is unlocking the full value of batteries

Battery storage is unique because it can respond almost instantaneously to changes in the electricity system.

But unlocking that value depends on intelligent software.

Marco highlighted the growing role of optimization platforms and artificial intelligence in helping operators determine where and when batteries should participate. These tools can analyze market conditions, automate decision-making, and maximize the value generated by a single asset.

In other words, the future of battery storage isn’t just about better batteries—it’s about smarter operation.

Final Thoughts

As Europe’s energy transition accelerates, battery storage will play an increasingly important role in balancing renewable energy and supporting grid stability.

But this conversation serves as an important reminder that success won’t be determined by hardware alone.

The next generation of competitive advantage will come from intelligent optimization, access to diverse electricity markets, and the agility to adapt as the energy landscape evolves.

For Independent Power Producers, that shift may prove just as important as the batteries themselves.

🎥 Watch the full interview to hear Marco Svetina explain why optimization, agility, and smarter market participation are becoming essential for battery storage owners in Europe’s rapidly evolving energy market.

Why Battery Optimization Is Becoming the Real Competitive Advantage

As battery energy storage systems (BESS) become more widely deployed across Europe, simply owning a battery is no longer enough to maximise returns.

At Intersolar Europe, Aneri spoke with Patrick from Marbl about why optimization is quickly becoming one of the most important drivers of project profitability—and why software is playing an increasingly central role in the energy transition.

From single markets to multi-market optimisation

In the early days of battery storage, operators could often participate in a single electricity market and generate attractive returns.

Today, as more batteries enter the market and margins tighten, operators need to optimise across multiple revenue streams—from frequency regulation to intraday trading and energy arbitrage. Managing those opportunities manually has become increasingly difficult, making intelligent optimisation platforms essential.

Simplifying complexity

Connecting to multiple trading platforms, forecasting tools, and exchanges creates significant operational complexity.

Patrick explained that optimisation platforms increasingly take on this responsibility, allowing asset owners to focus on managing their projects while automated systems handle market participation, trading, and communication across different energy markets.

The future is integrated energy systems

Looking ahead, Patrick believes new renewable energy projects will increasingly combine solar PV, battery storage, and long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) from the outset.

As solar generation grows and midday electricity prices continue to fall, co-locating batteries with solar projects can help increase the value of renewable generation while providing more reliable green power to customers such as data centres and large industrial users.

Final Thoughts

The battery industry is entering a new phase where competitive advantage won’t come from hardware alone.

Success will increasingly depend on intelligent optimization, integrated system design, and software that enables asset owners to extract the maximum value from every kilowatt-hour.

As Europe’s energy markets continue to evolve, optimization is becoming just as important as the battery itself.

🎥 Watch the full interview to hear Patrick explain how optimization is transforming battery energy storage and why software will play a defining role in the next generation of renewable energy projects.

Scaling Climate Tech Is About More Than Selling Products

Behind every successful climate tech company is often an ecosystem of partners helping them grow.

At Intersolar Europe, Aneri spoke with Jie Xiao from New Energy Nexus China (we are former colleagues!) about how the organization supported Tecloman during its early growth and how it continues to help clean energy startups expand into international markets.

Building relationships before building markets

One of the biggest misconceptions about startup accelerators is that they help startups sell.

As Jie explained, New Energy Nexus takes a different approach. Rather than helping companies sell directly, they help founders understand new markets, build trusted relationships, and connect with investors, industry experts, and ecosystem partners.

For companies entering unfamiliar markets, those introductions can be just as valuable as commercial leads.

Preparing companies for international growth

International expansion requires more than translating a website or attending a trade show.

According to Jie, New Energy Nexus helps startups understand local business cultures, activate regional networks, and connect with stakeholders who can provide context long before commercial discussions begin. The goal is to help companies make informed decisions about where—and how—to grow.

Trust is a competitive advantage

A recurring theme throughout the conversation was the importance of trust.

Whether introducing companies to new markets, facilitating conversations at international events, or connecting founders with local partners, relationships remain central to successful market entry. Technical expertise matters, but credibility and trusted introductions often determine whether those conversations become long-term partnerships.

Final Thoughts

As climate technologies become increasingly global, organizations like New Energy Nexus play an important role in helping startups navigate new markets.

Their work highlights an important lesson: scaling climate innovation isn’t just about developing better technology. It’s about building the networks, partnerships, and trust that allow those technologies to succeed internationally.

🎥 Listen to the interview to hear Jie Xiao discuss how New Energy Nexus supports climate tech startups and why ecosystem building is essential for international growth.

Why Better Coordination Could Unlock Europe’s Energy Transition

When we talk about accelerating the energy transition, the conversation often centers on new technologies—better batteries, smarter grids, or more renewable generation.

But what if one of the biggest barriers isn’t technology at all?

At Intersolar Europe, Aneri spoke with Daniel Schaub, co-founder of The Energy Bridge, about why coordination between policymakers, industry, researchers, and startups may be one of the most overlooked drivers of Europe’s clean energy future.

Technology is moving faster than policy

Innovation in the energy sector is advancing rapidly, but regulatory frameworks often struggle to keep pace.

Daniel argues that policymakers face an incredibly difficult challenge: making decisions today that will shape energy infrastructure for decades. That makes stronger collaboration between government, industry, academia, and innovators essential for reducing uncertainty and unlocking investment.

Europe’s next opportunity is smarter coordination

Rather than focusing solely on building more infrastructure, Daniel believes Europe should also focus on making better use of the infrastructure it already has.

Many emerging startups are developing software that can optimise grid operations, improve flexibility, and increase network capacity without requiring entirely new transmission assets. As Daniel puts it, the future is about “orchestrating electrons”—using intelligence to get more value from existing systems.

Startups have an important role to play

Daniel also highlighted the importance of bringing startups into policy and industry discussions earlier.

Young companies often move faster than established organisations, developing new software, business models, and digital tools that can solve real challenges facing the energy sector. Better collaboration between innovators and decision-makers can help accelerate deployment while ensuring policy keeps pace with technological change.

Final Thoughts

The energy transition isn’t just an engineering challenge—it’s a coordination challenge.

Success will depend on connecting policymakers with researchers, startups with utilities, and innovators with industry. By creating stronger links across the ecosystem, Europe can reduce risk, accelerate investment, and unlock the full potential of clean energy innovation.

🎥 Watch the full interview to hear Daniel Schaub share why coordination may be the missing piece in Europe’s energy transition and how stronger collaboration can accelerate innovation across the energy ecosystem.

Grid-Ready Isn’t Product-Ready: Why Integration Is the Next Challenge for Europe’s BESS Market

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are being deployed across Europe at an unprecedented pace. But getting a battery system installed is only one part of the journey.

The bigger challenge? Making sure that system is ready to operate within the requirements of the local electricity grid.

At Intersolar Europe, Aneri spoke with Alper Nazli from Meteocontrol about what “grid readiness” really means, where projects encounter delays, and why Europe’s rigorous standards are laying the foundation for a more resilient energy system.

Every grid is different

It’s easy to assume that once a battery system is built, it’s ready to connect to the grid. In reality, every country—and sometimes every grid operator—has its own technical requirements.

As Alper explained, manufacturers may deliver a complete battery system, but ensuring it complies with local grid codes, communication protocols, and operational requirements is a separate challenge altogether.

For companies deploying projects across Europe, understanding these regional differences is becoming an increasingly important part of successful project delivery.

Compatibility comes before deployment

One of the less visible bottlenecks in the BESS industry is ensuring compatibility between battery systems and the software and control platforms that manage them.

Before a project can move forward, solutions must be tested to confirm they work seamlessly together. With more manufacturers entering the market each year, that validation process is becoming increasingly important—and increasingly busy.

While the technical integration itself can often be completed within a matter of weeks, broader project timelines are frequently influenced by regulatory approvals and utility requirements.

Regulation isn’t the enemy

As Europe looks to accelerate battery deployment, it’s tempting to view regulation as an obstacle.

Alper offered a different perspective.

Battery systems are expected to operate safely and reliably for 10 to 20 years. That means today’s decisions must account for long-term cybersecurity, future grid requirements, and evolving operating conditions.

Moving faster is important—but not if it compromises quality or reliability.

Rather than reducing standards, the focus should be on creating efficient processes that maintain confidence in the systems being connected to the grid.

We’re still early in the journey

Despite the rapid growth of battery storage across Europe, Alper believes the industry is still at an early stage of development.

As deployment accelerates, grid operators, technology providers, and developers will continue refining standards, improving interoperability, and streamlining project delivery.

The market is evolving quickly, but building a resilient energy system requires getting the foundations right from the start.

Final Thoughts

Battery Energy Storage Systems are often judged by their capacity, efficiency, or cost. But behind every successful project is a significant amount of engineering, testing, and coordination that ensures the system can operate safely within the electricity grid.

As Europe’s storage market matures, grid readiness will become an increasingly important differentiator—not just for manufacturers, but for developers, utilities, and technology providers working together to accelerate the energy transition.

🎥 Watch the full interview to hear Alper Nazli explain what “grid-ready” really means, why compatibility testing is becoming more important as the BESS market grows, and how Europe can balance faster deployment with long-term reliability.