Strengthening local grids in an electrified society

As electrification accelerates across transport, housing, and industry, local electricity grids are facing new demands. Consumption is rising, while renewable generation is becoming more variable. This shift is putting pressure on infrastructure that was not originally designed for rapid, short-term fluctuations.

In Norway, hydropower provides a strong foundation for flexibility at a national level. However, reservoir management, market conditions, and geography mean that flexibility is not always available exactly where and when it is needed. As a result, local bottlenecks and capacity constraints are becoming more common.

Battery energy storage offers a practical way to address this gap.

By responding in milliseconds, storage systems can absorb excess energy when supply is high and release it during peak demand. This helps stabilise voltage and frequency, reduces strain on existing infrastructure, and improves overall grid reliability. Importantly, it does so without requiring major new grid upgrades.

For municipalities, this means more capacity for housing development, electric vehicle charging, and local industry. For grid operators, it provides fast, controllable flexibility that supports system operations. For communities, it results in fewer outages and a more resilient local power supply.

Energy storage does not replace the grid. It strengthens it.

As electrification continues, solutions that operate quietly in the background will play an increasingly important role. By integrating storage close to where energy is consumed, local grids can remain stable, flexible, and ready for the future.