A new year always offers new opportunities and if you’re an experienced Project Manager, now is an ideal time to consider what a move into the burgeoning battery storage sector could do for your career.

From my perspective in renewable energy recruitment as one of Alexander Associate’s Directors, I have a front-row seat to witnessing the UK's battery storage industry boom. It’s bursting with a profusion of exciting and lucrative renewable energy jobs, particularly in the project management space. It offers PMs a real chance to be at the forefront of industrial innovation, not just in managing battery storage projects but actively contributing to the UK’s net zero targets.

With the UK government's strong backing and significant investments flowing into the sector, embracing a PM role in this flourishing field allows you to use your strategic insight, leadership skills and ability to deliver economically viable projects in a purpose-driven way.

The long-term promise of the battery storage industry warrants a closer look at what a PM in this field does on a daily basis. Read on for a glimpse into an average day as a Project Manager in the battery storage field and how their work enables us to build the energy grid of tomorrow.

A Quick Overview of The UK Battery Storage Industry

Batteries are the essential means of storing excess energy generated from sources like wind and solar power, releasing it precisely when demand peaks to help balance the grid and maintain a stable electricity supply.

Beyond the technical advancements, there are significant economic and environmental benefits of widespread battery storage deployment. Reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, lowering carbon emissions, and creating new renewable energy – these are just a few of the positive outcomes that come with embracing this transformative technology.

Each of these elements combine to make the UK battery storage build sector an integral part of the country's renewable energy charge.

The Nuts and Bolts of a Battery Storage Project Manager Role

Battery storage Project Managers are responsible for the broad lifecycle of a battery storage build, usually from concept to financial close. This encompasses land agreements and clearing permissions, supporting procurement teams with the tender process, as well as installation, connection, and commissioning of battery storage units and networks.

The role is multifaceted, with core competencies spanning technical expertise, project  management,  financial acumen and strategic leadership.

The essential components that make up the battery storage PM role include:

Battery Storage Project Development

• Identifying and assessing possible sites for battery storage installations
• Running feasibility studies to ensure technical and financial viability
• Identifying potential risks to project success, including technical, regulatory and market-based risks
• Securing funding and managing budgets
• Engaging with suppliers and contractors to procure materials and services

Battery Storage Project Planning and Execution

• Developing detailed project plans including scope, timelines, resources and risks
• Managing the project team, which often includes renewable energy engineers, technicians and support staff
• Overseeing construction and installation processes to ensure they are completed on time and within budget
• Implementing strategies to mitigate identified risks, such as diversifying supply chains or investing in insurance
• Quality management to verify all project deliverables meet the required standards

In tandem with the focal areas of the role, as a PM you can expect to be responsible for compliance reporting and staying up to date with the latest regulatory and technological developments impacting battery storage projects.

What Your Day as A Battery Storage PM Could Look Like

With an understanding of the key components that make up the battery storage PM role, here is a rundown of what a typical day could look like:

Often the first task of the day is to review and analyse the latest project data and correspondence. You will use your knowledge of energy systems and storage technologies to ensure operations are aligned with technical and regulatory standards.
This extends to the project’s financial aspects. With a watchful eye on budget allocations and your ability to optimise resources, you’ll employ your risk management expertise to make adjustments to protect the project’s viability against market fluctuations and logistical uncertainties.

Mid-morning and into lunch could see you deep in the field, overseeing the day's operations, meeting with your team and/or leading quality assurance assessments. It’s a chance to witness the tangible progress being made, a motivating reminder of how far you’ve come from the feasibility and planning development stages.

One of your key tasks here involves the work you do with your multidisciplinary teams, steering them towards set milestones. This means using your communication and problem-solving skills to engage with your teams of renewable energy engineers, technicians and regulatory experts. Your continual aim is to cultivate a working environment where each individual is recognised, heard and valued, allowing productivity to continue unimpeded.

After lunch could see more collaboration time by networking with stakeholders, be it in person or over a video call, to discuss the project’s progress or potential partnerships. As the linchpin in a dynamic web, you develop relationships that bridge technology, sustainability and business goals, while keeping community interests in mind.

As the afternoon progresses, you might turn to your reporting duties, documenting the day’s events to ensure transparency and compliance is maintained.
If time permits, your final task of the day might involve professional development, as continuous learning is a staple for your career growth, keeping you at the forefront of the clean energy curve.

Level Up Your Career with Renewable Energy Recruitment

As you can see, a step into the battery storage sector offers Project Managers a place as a pivotal player in the UK's clean energy transformation. A role rich with variety, challenge and reward, a move into this sector will provide you with ample opportunities to progress your PM career.

If you’re ready to help power the clean energy revolution, Alexander Associates is your specialist in renewable energy recruitment. With a focus on battery energy storage, our clients build, install and commission some of the UK’s largest systems.

Please get in touch with me directly if you’d like to discuss in detail how your PM skills are easily transferrable to this innovative sector, or to find out about some of the exciting open roles we currently have.

Ruth Parker FIRP

Director at Alexander Associates

ruth.parker@alexander-assoc.co.uk

Kate’s route to her role as Commissioning Manager started with her love for Lego as a child. Her fascination with building things (after taking them apart), coupled with a keen interest in environmental matters, led her to pursue a science-based degree followed by a Master’s in environmental studies. 
 

Justine is an engineer for ISS, working as part of the team supporting schools in the City of London. Having started her career in hospitality, she decided to retrain as an engineer.