Developing BESS - from greenfield to grid with Ravi Sharma (Director of Development - Energy Storage @ Deriva Energy)

Apr 1, 2025

Ravi Sharma, Director of Development for Energy Storage at Deriva Energy, shares his expertise in navigating the complex landscape of battery storage development in the U.S. He highlights the unique strategies for site selection and the critical role of risk management. The conversation delves into the challenges of permitting, interconnection costs, and the competitive landscape for energy sites. Ravi also emphasizes the importance of teamwork and collaboration in overcoming hurdles and ensures project success while addressing the evolving dynamics of energy storage.

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INSIGHT

Three Stages of Project Development

Development happens in three phases: early, mid, and late stage.
Developers focus on de-risking projects to increase value and readiness for operation or sale.

ADVICE

Early Development Steps

Start development by selecting markets and identifying sites using detailed mapping and criteria.
Engage landowners early and assess local ordinances and permitting to reduce site risk.

INSIGHT

Mid-Stage Development Focus

Mid-stage development involves detailed engineering design, permitting, and advancing the commercial and financial models.
Developers engage with permitting authorities to meet conditions and ensure project feasibility.

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The strategy for developing battery storage sites is unique to each individual project. From securing suitable land to obtaining a grid connection, every step plays a crucial role in creating the right conditions for a viable site. A developer’s expertise is essential in navigating these complexities, ensuring a project's success long before it becomes operational.

In this episode, Ravi Sharma, Director of Development - Energy Storage at Deriva Energy joins Quentin to explore the development process of battery energy storage systems in key markets in the US.

Over the course of the conversation, you’ll learn about:

What each stage of the development process entails, from site acquisition to connecting to the grid.
The developer's role in managing risk and uncertainty throughout project lifecycle.
Complexity of estimating interconnection costs and upgrades.
Insight into the competitive landscape for desirable sites and substations.
The need for long-duration storage valuation and procurement.

About our guest

Deriva is an established leader in clean energy, with 5,900 megawatts of operating and under construction wind, utility scale solar and storage assets across the U.S. Formerly known as Duke Energy Renewables, Deriva is a portfolio company of Brookfield, one of the world's largest owners and operators of renewable power and climate transition assets.

Ravi Sharma is Director of Development for Energy Storage at Deriva Energy where he leads energy storage project development and manages interdisciplinary teams across various U.S. energy markets.

About Modo Energy

Modo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.

All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work.