Bessmart Energies –

About Us

The management behind Bessmart Energies.

Andreas Harald Knoll.

Founder, Managing Partner, CEO and Member of the Investment Committee

Andreas has over 10 years of executive experience in the renewable energy, focusing on project development and international market initiation. He was among the funding team of Etrion corp and successfully ramped up Etrion Solar activities in Italy and subsequently in Japan. In 2015  he formed a real estate development company in Berlin, Wohnquadrat Berlin GmbH, which has developed and built over 140 condominium units around Berlin.

He has a master’s degree in business administration and economics from Hohenheim university, Germany.

Marco Northland.

Founder, Managing Partner and Member of the Investment Committee

Marco has been in infrastructure development since 1998, initially in the telecommunication sector and subsequently joined the renewable sector in 2005, as General Manager for Europe for SunPower Corporation, a solar module supplier, developer and EPC contractor. Subsequently formed Etrion in 2008 where he developed built and operated an extensive solar portfolio in Europe, Japan and Chile. He took the company public in Sweden and Canada and subsequently funded the company through corporate bonds as well as project level non-recourse finance, deploying over €1 billion in assets.

He holds a bachelor’s in engineering and a master’s degree in computer science from the George Washington University, and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

Giora Salita.

Founder and Shareholder

Giora entered the renewable energy sector in 2007 after spending 18 years in the software sector. Up to date he has completed enterprise value transactions in excess of $3B in this sector. His experience covers the development, construction and operations of utility-scale assets globally including EMEA as well as distant geographies like Chile and Japan. Giora always combined his entrepreneurial passion with a multidisciplinary and multinational executive approach focusing on community matters, innovation, operational efficiency and shareholders’ values. He worked for PE baked ventures, publicly listed companies as well as with family offices.

He is a graduate of Warwick Business School in the UK and executive studies from INSEAD in France.

Cynthia Grieshofer.

Head of Authorisation Processes

Cynthia Grieshofer has many years of experience as an architect in all phases of building construction. She has worked as an architect for various architectural firms in Germany since 2001 and as a project manager since 2013. She completed her engineering degree at the Technical University of Braunschweig and her Master of Architecture degree at Parsons School of Design, New York City, USA. She has been a registered architect in the Berlin Chamber of Architects since 2018 and has been managing the approval processes at BESSMART Energies since 2024.

Marco Kieslich.

Business Development and Head of Project Origination 

Marco Kieslich has been in charge of land scouting for BESSMART Energies GmbH since the beginning of 2024. Previously he managed for over 2 years the project and property acquisition for a real estate developer in Berlin. From 2011 to 2021 he achieved great success in various positions of real estate enterprises in South Africa. After studies and traineeship at Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH in Munich he took on the role as a project manager/leader for 4 years.

Rainer Knoll.

Site Acquisition and Strategic Projects

Rainer Knoll brings a wealth of senior experience in managing complex projects within the technology sector. With a robust background in selling intricate IT infrastructure services to large corporations, Rainer has successfully led sales teams at renowned companies such as Digital Equipment, Sun Microsystems, and most recently, IBM. At IBM, he had P&L responsibility for the Multivendor Services business unit, overseeing 50 employees. Internationally, Rainer has excelled as a Key Account Manager for major clients including SEL/Alcatel, Daimler Chrysler, and Toshiba.

Early in his career, Rainer honed his skills as a logistics planner, security planner, and project manager at Logistic Consult GmbH. Since 2024, he has been supporting BESSMART Energies in land acquisition and strategic projects.

Our Story

At the heart of BESSMART is a foundation built on a global legacy of innovation and excellence in renewable infrastructure development.
Our founders are esteemed for their international track record, with a portfolio that spans across Europe, Japan, and the Americas. With a combined experience of developing over 1GW in renewable projects, our leadership has effectively deployed over $2 billion, pioneering advancements in the energy sector and setting new standards for sustainability and efficiency worldwide. In Germany our team has a 10 year track record in real estate development.

Our Mission

Our mission is clear – to empower a cleaner, more resilient energy future.
We believe in a world where energy storage is not just efficient and reliable but also an integral part of a sustainable energy ecosystem. At BESSMART, we are dedicated to developing utility-scale battery storage systems that meet the highest standards of innovation, reliability, and scalability.

Our Team

At BESSMART, our team is our greatest asset.
Comprising industry veterans, visionary engineers, and dedicated professionals, we work together to turn complex challenges into successful projects. Our leadership fosters a culture of growth and learning, where every team member is encouraged to contribute their best.

Our Impact

We measure our success by the positive impact we have on communities, the environment, and the global energy landscape.
From reducing carbon footprints to enhancing grid resilience, BESSMART is at the heart of an energy transformation that benefits us all.

Our Values

  • Innovation: Our roots in global project development fuel our drive for creativity and cutting-edge technology
  • Sustainability: We are steadfast in our commitment to the environment, ensuring that our projects contribute positively to the planet’s health
  • Integrity: Honesty and transparency are paramount in every market we enter and every project we touch. We build trust with our partners, investors, and communities by upholding the highest ethical standards
  • Collaboration: We champion the collective power of partnerships to achieve outcomes that benefit all stakeholders
  • Excellence: Our track record is a testament to our unwavering commitment to quality and excellence in every venture

Join Us

As we continue to grow and shape the future of energy storage, we invite you to join us on this exciting journey. Whether as an investor, partner, or team member – your contribution can help accelerate the transition to a more sustainable energy future.

Our Story

At the heart of BESSMART is a foundation built on a global legacy of innovation and excellence in renewable infrastructure development.
Our founders are esteemed for their international track record, with a portfolio that spans across Europe, Japan, and the Americas. With a combined experience of developing over 1GW in renewable projects, our leadership has effectively deployed over $2 billion, pioneering advancements in the energy sector and setting new standards for sustainability and efficiency worldwide. In Germany our team has a 10 year track record in real estate development.

Our Mission

Our mission is clear – to empower a cleaner, more resilient energy future.
We believe in a world where energy storage is not just efficient and reliable but also an integral part of a sustainable energy ecosystem. At BESSMART, we are dedicated to developing utility-scale battery storage systems that meet the highest standards of innovation, reliability, and scalability.

Our Team

At BESSMART, our team is our greatest asset.
Comprising industry veterans, visionary engineers, and dedicated professionals, we work together to turn complex challenges into successful projects. Our leadership fosters a culture of growth and learning, where every team member is encouraged to contribute their best.

Our Impact

We measure our success by the positive impact we have on communities, the environment, and the global energy landscape.
From reducing carbon footprints to enhancing grid resilience, BESSMART is at the heart of an energy transformation that benefits us all.

Our Values

  • Innovation: Our roots in global project development fuel our drive for creativity and cutting-edge technology.
  • Sustainability: We are steadfast in our commitment to the environment, ensuring that our projects contribute positively to the planet’s health.
  • Integrity: Honesty and transparency are paramount in every market we enter and every project we touch. We build trust with our partners, investors, and communities by upholding the highest ethical standards.
  • Collaboration: We champion the collective power of partnerships to achieve outcomes that benefit all stakeholders.
  • Excellence: Our track record is a testament to our unwavering commitment to quality and excellence in every venture.

Join Us

As we continue to grow and shape the future of energy storage, we invite you to join us on this exciting journey. Whether as an investor, partner, or team member – your contribution can help accelerate the transition to a more sustainable energy future.