The Energy Storage Awards Categories
The Developer of the Year category is designed to recognise companies that have been exemplary in their development of utility-scale battery energy storage systems over the past year. Companies should be sure to include examples of key projects they have developed, highlighting particular successes and innovative approaches to challenges.
The System Integrator of the Year category will evaluate the companies that offer the most efficient, effective and innovative integration of battery energy storage into the wider system. Particular consideration will be given to those utilising new technologies to tackle core challenges such as grid capacity.
Following a particularly volatile period in power prices, the Trading and Optimisation Team of the Year award will look to reward companies that have made the most of growing markets and record high prices through effective strategies. This will include a broad look at revenue stacking and use of software for optimal management of battery energy storage assets.
The Product of the Year award is for the best hardware solution, software application, component, service platform, or similar product that has been instrumental in supporting the contribution of the energy storage industry to the energy transition. We want to know which product has recently been the most influential, helpful, and trendsetting of them all.
Breakthrough R&D/Innovation of the Year award celebrates new thinking, technology, technical solutions, approaches to business that shook up the sector. This could be disruptive battery designs, smart responses to co-location challenges, scientific developments, innovative product and process designs or other such events. The award could be given to development teams at companies, individuals, university departments or similar.
Newcomer/Start-up of the Year award is for individuals or companies, including pre-revenue startups, making a significant contribution to the sector. We are looking for new entrants who entered energy storage and hit the ground running, very quickly built a significant position among peers, gained a foothold in a new market, or who identified a niche with potential. This award celebrates market participants with fresh ideas, likely to shape the energy storage space.
The Grid-scale Standalone Energy Storage Project of the Year award recognises a standalone energy storage system (ESS) project of over 1MW/1MWh which stands out in a sea of high-quality projects across Europe. Criteria are broad and entries will be judged across a variety of metrics: notable aspects could include being the first project in a new market, it could be the largest project in a region, a new application of energy storage technology and a smart business model to back it up. We welcome entries from diverse regions, companies and technologies.
Grid-scale Co-located or Hybrid Energy Storage Project of the Year award will go to a project that demonstrates the perfect pairing of energy storage technology with generation. Whether that is solar PV, wind, another renewable energy technology or even ‘conventional’ power generation, judges want to see the best mix of technologies that exemplifies being even greater than the sum of its parts.
Distributed Energy Storage Project of the Year award is an opportunity to gain recognition for projects that are smaller than 1MW and that connect behind-the-meter rather than in front-of-the-meter. This could be an industrial battery storage project at a factory for example, or an aggregated residential virtual power plant or even vehicle-to-grid project. The key is to display project characteristics that are not only notable within the scope of the project, but also demonstrate potential for replicability at scale.
Outstanding Contribution to Energy Storage award will go to an individual that has dedicated significant time and effort to advancing the role of energy storage in the energy sector, and helped others to progress in the field either by direct tutorage or assistance, or through setting an example for others to follow.
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Amongst those embracing the potential offered by energy storage solutions are TSOs, DNOs and DSOs around Europe. Operators are working collaboratively to implement innovative solutions and pilots to help boost grid capacity and flexibility. The Grid Operator Project of The Year award looks to recognise the operators working in new and exciting ways to add storage systems to their grid infrastructure. For this award, particular attention will be given to the case study and supporting documents that highlight how network operators have worked to trial and implement energy storage projects and the benefits they see within the tech.
The Rising Star of the Year award is aimed at recognising those individuals under the age of 30 who have made a significant impact on the energy storage industry through professional achievements, entrepreneurship and influence. Nominees must be under the age of 30 at the time the nomination window closes.
The LDES Company of the Year award will go to an organisation which has long-duration energy storage at its heart, and whose main focus is aiming to advance the uptake of non-lithium ion technologies across the European energy storage sector.
The Safety Product of the Year award is for the best safety-focused solution, software application, component, service platform, or similar product that has been instrumental in supporting the contribution of the energy storage industry to the energy transition. We want to know which safety-related product has recently been the most influential, helpful, and trendsetting of them all.
The M&A Deal of the Year award will be awarded to the company (ies) behind an M&A deal solely centred around energy storage which has been instrumental in driving M&A activity in the power sector in 2023/24. Research shows that energy storage accounted for almost $2.5bn worth of power deals announced in Q4 2023, with the pipeline only set to grow.
The Energy Storage Law Firm of the Year award will shine a light on the most influential, forward-thinking and insightful law firm advising in the energy storage sector. The firm’s remit must be primarily UK and Europe-focused to be able to enter this category.
Best Overall European Energy Storage Project of the Year award will highlight an energy storage system (ESS) project of any size that stands out in a sea of high-quality projects across Europe specifically (excluding the UK). Projects can be standalone, co-located, hybrid or distributed. Notable aspects could include being the first project in a new market, the largest project in the region, a new application of energy storage technology, and a smart business model to back it up.
Best UK Project Under 100MW will highlight an energy storage system (ESS) project under 100MW that has been built in the United Kingdom. Projects are not limited to one type and can be standalone, co-located, hybrid or distributed projects. Applicants are encouraged to highlight any other notable aspects of the project such as being the first project of its kind, a new application of energy storage technology, a smart business model, or anything else that might stand out.
Best UK Project Over 100MW will highlight an energy storage system (ESS) project over 100MW that has been built in the United Kingdom. Projects are not limited to one type and can be standalone, co-located, hybrid or distributed projects. Applicants are encouraged to highlight any other notable aspects of the project such as being the first project of its kind, a new application of energy storage technology, a smart business model, or anything else that might stand out.
Best EU Project Under 100MW will highlight an energy storage system (ESS) project under 100MW that has been built in Europe. Projects are not limited to one type and can be standalone, co-located, hybrid or distributed projects. Applicants are encouraged to highlight any other notable aspects of the project such as being the first project of its kind, a new application of energy storage technology, a smart business model, or anything else that might stand out.
Best EU Project Over 100MW will highlight an energy storage system (ESS) project over 100MW that has been built in Europe. Projects are not limited to one type and can be standalone, co-located, hybrid or distributed projects. Applicants are encouraged to highlight any other notable aspects of the project such as being the first project of its kind, a new application of energy storage technology, a smart business model, or anything else that might stand out.