Main delivery of Innovestor’s BESS project

Innovestor's energy storage project

As part of an energy storage project by investment company Innovestor, a distributed energy storage system with a capacity of approximately 60 MWh is being built. Terawatt acts as the main contractor for the project.

A unique energy project combines electricity generation and consumption

Terawatt acts as the main contractor in an energy storage project by private equity firm Innovestor. This novel approach to energy generation and storage within the boundaries of a property requires broad construction expertise as well as a deep understanding of building electrical systems.

As part of the project, a significant amount of solar power capacity is installed in commercial properties, with the generated electricity stored directly in battery systems. The project introduces an entirely new type of solution for commercial real estate, benefiting property owners, tenants, as well as electricity consumers and households more broadly.

For property owners, the benefits come in the form of upgraded energy infrastructure. Tenants gain access to battery-stored electricity produced largely with renewable solar power at a competitive and predictable price. For other electricity users, the benefits arise from the grid-balancing capabilities of the energy storage system: the battery storage helps maintain balance in Finland’s electricity grid, where electricity consumption and production must constantly remain equal.

In addition, energy storage systems help smooth electricity price spikes by discharging capacity when prices are high and charging batteries when electricity supply is abundant.

Energy storage systems located in different properties are interconnected through an AI-based platform, forming a single large virtual power plant. Artificial intelligence enables optimized operation of the energy storage system by taking into account solar power generation, electricity price forecasts, the property’s own electricity consumption, and the needs of the transmission grid.

Collaboration between Terawatt and Innovestor

The collaboration between Terawatt and Innovestor began with three pilot sites that were put out to a comprehensive tendering process. Terawatt succeeded in submitting the most attractive proposal for the pilot sites. Innovestor’s decision to select Terawatt was influenced by its ambition to operate in the market for the long term and to find a key partner capable of delivering the construction of the power plants.

“With Terawatt, we felt that it would be possible to build a long-term relationship,” says Investment Director Elie Kopaly, Head of Innovestor’s energy project.”

Following the pilot projects, the cooperation was expanded, and at the time of writing, four separate project entities across Finland have already been completed. As the collaboration grew, Terawatt’s responsibilities were expanded beyond the role of main contractor to include design management. Close cooperation is maintained with Innovestor’s design partner, Sitowise Plc, and its design and project management team.

Design management enables proven solutions identified on site to be incorporated directly into future designs, while also allowing potential issues to be addressed and resolved in subsequent projects.

“Terawatt doesn’t just carry out installations — they are also very strongly involved in design management, thinking about how costs can be reduced, which is extremely important. Terawatt focuses on how things can be delivered with high quality, flexibility, and agility,” Kopaly explains.

The project has been extremely challenging at times. Despite this, we have been able to achieve very strong cooperation.

Elie Kopaly

Investment Director, Innovestor Oy

Terawatt assumes full responsibility for construction

Terawatt acts as the main contractor in the energy storage project and is responsible for all construction and modification works carried out on the properties, as well as for the installation of the battery systems. In addition to electrical and solar panel installations, the projects typically require some civil works and foundation construction, as well as HVAC and automation expertise where necessary, along with various other minor construction works.

A key factor in the project’s success has been strong project management, close cooperation with the design and project development partner Sitowise, and clear allocation of responsibilities and scheduling between Terawatt’s subcontractors and suppliers. The goal is to reduce lead times and costs during the project by working in a smarter and more agile way.

Strong collaboration behind the success

The extensive modification works carried out at the properties, combined with the overall nature of the project, have required exceptionally close and transparent communication between designers, the client, and the contractor. A project of this kind has not been implemented before, and success has demanded a great deal of learning from all parties involved. Once completed, the finished projects are thoroughly reviewed: what was done well, and what could be done better?

“Both parties — the client and Terawatt — are still learning, as the sector is new. The better we understand construction and buildings, the more cost-efficient we can become together,” Kopaly explains.

Continuous learning paves the way for all stakeholders in future energy storage projects and provides valuable data to support Innovestor’s potential project development efforts going forward.