DNV Expands Global Power Systems Expertise Through Strategic Purchase of Australian Grid-Connection Specialist SPS

Left to right: Dr Matthew Rowe, Director Power Grids, Asia Pacific, Energy Systems at DNV; Tim Gorman, Director of Power System Analysis, Smarter Power Solutions; Dr Lena Landsmann, Vice President and Regional Director APAC, Energy Systems at DNV; Barry O’Connell, Managing Director, Smarter Power Solutions; Kristine Hauge, Regional Finance & Performance Director, Asia Pacific, Energy Systems at DNV; Lachlan Bateman, Head of Power Systems Planning, Asia Pacific, Energy Systems at DNV

(IN BRIEF) DNV has acquired Smarter Power Solutions Pty Ltd, an Australian power systems engineering consultancy specialising in advanced grid-connection services. The move strengthens DNV’s position as a leading independent power grids consultancy in Asia Pacific and enhances its global expertise in modelling, commissioning and complex renewable integration. SPS, founded in 2021 and headquartered in Melbourne, brings a team of more than 35 engineers and a strong track record of securing early AEMO approvals for grid-forming and hybrid battery projects. The acquisition supports DNV’s broader strategy to expand its grid advisory capabilities in response to growing transmission constraints and renewable integration challenges worldwide. With Australia serving as a benchmark market for high renewable penetration and battery storage deployment, the combined organisation aims to accelerate decarbonisation while maintaining grid stability and reliability across global markets.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 13-Feb-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — DNV has announced the acquisition of Smarter Power Solutions Pty Ltd (SPS), an Australian engineering consultancy recognised for its advanced grid-connection expertise. The transaction reinforces DNV’s position as a leading independent power grids consultancy across Asia Pacific and strengthens its global centre of excellence in grid-connection engineering.

Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Melbourne, with additional presence in Brisbane, Sydney and New Zealand, SPS brings a team of more than 35 specialised power system engineers. The firm has developed strong capabilities in complex grid-connection studies, advanced modelling, commissioning and regulatory compliance. Its track record includes securing early approvals from the Australian Energy Market Operator for grid-forming and hybrid battery projects during the early stages of these technologies.

The acquisition comes at a time when grid infrastructure is increasingly recognised as both the backbone and bottleneck of the global energy transition. DNV’s Energy Transition Outlook 2025 identifies rapid grid reinforcement, digitalisation and expansion as critical to integrating large-scale renewables, energy storage and electrified demand.

Ditlev Engel, CEO of Energy Systems at DNV, stated that integrating SPS will significantly enhance DNV’s ability to support clients facing increasingly complex grid-connection requirements in high-renewable environments. He emphasised that SPS’s technical depth and digital capabilities will help streamline grid approval processes while maintaining system security and reliability.

SPS has built its reputation on a highly digitalised, software-driven approach, combining automation, high-performance computing and close collaboration with transmission operators and system planners. These capabilities are expected to complement DNV’s global power systems advisory services and expand its capacity to manage sophisticated grid-integration challenges.

The acquisition follows DNV’s recent purchase of Amplitude Consultants in November 2025 and forms part of a broader strategy to expand its power grids advisory footprint across Asia Pacific. The objective is to establish one of the largest independent global power grids consultancies in the region.

Australia is widely regarded as a benchmark market for advanced renewable integration. With renewable penetration reaching 78.6% on the main grid in September 2025 and strong momentum in battery storage deployment, the country is seen as a blueprint for high-renewables system operation. According to AEMO’s draft 2026 Integrated System Plan, 24GW of battery energy storage is forecast by 2030, further increasing the need for advanced grid-connection engineering.

Dr Lena Landsmann, Vice President and Regional Director APAC for Energy Systems at DNV, highlighted Australia’s rapid scaling of grid flexibility and the importance of applying lessons learned in the Australian market to other fast-evolving regions such as the Middle East and Latin America.

Barry O’Connell, Managing Director of SPS, described the acquisition as a natural alignment of shared values focused on engineering excellence and innovation. He noted that SPS has supported hundreds of generator connections in recent years, particularly in complex, weak-grid environments, and expressed confidence that the combined organisation will build one of the world’s leading power systems engineering teams while accelerating global energy transition efforts.

Media contact:

Neil James Slater
Head of Media Relations, Energy Systems
+442038165702
contact.energysystems@dnv.com

Penda Sall
Media Relations Advisor
contact.energysystems@dnv.com

SOURCE: DNV