DNV forecasts fiftyfold energy storage surge by mid-2030s

Around half of all new solar installations will include battery storage by the mid-2030s, up from roughly 6.6% today, with solar-plus-storage capacity growing a hundredfold by 2049, an independent expert in assurance and risk management has projected.

DNV, which operates in more than 100 countries, said that as that shift accelerates, the digital systems that manage how energy is stored, dispatched, and traded are becoming as critical as the hardware itself.

The company noted that developers, operators, and equipment manufacturers (OEMs) face growing operational complexity - from interconnection bottlenecks and stricter grid requirements to evolving electricity markets and cybersecurity obligations - as solar-plus-storage projects become more widespread.

“To help address these challenges, GreenPowerMonitor (GPM), a DNV company, is expanding its digital Energy Management System (EMS) and Hybrid EMS solutions for solar, storage, and hybrid renewable energy projects,” said DNV.

“The platforms are designed to help developers and OEMs navigate increasingly complex technical, commercial, and regulatory environments, including cybersecurity requirements such as those introduced under the EU's NIS2 directive.” 

Asset optimisation

The digital solutions support over 400 communication protocols, integrate with SCADA systems and GPM's Horizon cloud monitoring platform; are certified to IEC 62443 and ISO 27001 standards, and are backed by 24/7 support - allowing for the optimisation, control, and operation of renewable energy and hybrid assets.

Juan Carlos Arévalo, executive vice-president and director of Digital & Data Solutions, Energy Systems at DNV, said: "The solar-plus-storage surge is inevitable, but only if the industry can solve real-world bottlenecks such as grid access, cyber risk, and revenue uncertainty.

“GPM combines proven EMS technology with DNV's independent assurance and grid-code expertise, giving OEMs and developers the confidence to scale without compromising security or compliance."

The company said the need for flexible energy management solutions is growing alongside investment in solar and storage.

Have you read?

IEA says demand flexibility can boost energy security

Tackling US grid congestion to meet the demand surge

Storage set to expand

DNV's Energy Industry Insights 2026 found that 49% of Asia-Pacific respondents plan to increase investment in energy storage, while markets such as Chile and Australia continue to rapidly expand deployment.

“As developers navigate increasingly diverse grid codes, market structures and regulations, GPM's hybrid architecture is designed to support these varying operational environments through a single platform,” said DNV.

The report also found that 52% of global respondents now say the energy transition is accelerating, down from 80% in 2022.

“While this may suggest a slowdown, the data tells a different story - pointing to a shift toward pragmatism, with leaders prioritising secure, reliable, and cleaner energy alongside long-term decarbonisation goals.

“Ambitions remain high, but investment decisions are increasingly driven by economic competitiveness, infrastructure readiness, and market realities.”