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BESS holds enormous promise, but Reality is still catching up
BESS holds enormous promise, but Reality is still catching up
This page is about addressing the difficult issues that are less talked about!!
Metrics like failure rates, failed deadlines and project deliverables and extensive integration failures
These are all worse at the C&I level
Even the largest projects by the largest Companies have failed to meet project deadlines and deliverables, with cost and timeline surprises.
For example, the 1.1 GWh Scatec project project supplied by BYD had cost, timeline, and technology changes...
Here are articles of other peoples experiences
Easier real world installation and operation
Easier real world installation and operation
A cheap BESS system upfront might be appealing, HOWEVER, especially in C&I context, the complexity, time and amount of engineering needed to integrate a BESS system, or to use it to enable operation with out grid, expand it etc are always a surprise! This leads to rush jobs, and poor overall performance. Ultimately reducing the effectiveness these systems have at customers cost. Trying to reduce the engineering, integration and maintenance effort needed is where we have aimed the Regenset system design to have e.g. REPAIRS in field down to cell level, without heavy equipment.
https://bess-degradation-drivers.streamlit.app/
Micro Grid, Backup Power, Energy Savings and Power Quality Specialist.
2mo •
⚠️ Why cheaply procured BESS often fail on utility grids
Many organisations procure containerised BESS directly from overseas OEM,s expecting a turnkey grid asset. In reality, a grid-connected battery is not a product — it is a complex integrated power system. When integration, modelling, and lifecycle support are underestimated, projects frequently underperform or fail.
1) Integration gaps
A utility-scale BESS combines multiple subsystems:
* battery cells and racks
* BMS and EMS
* PCS / inverter technology
* HVAC and fire systems
* protection and communications
* Low-cost solutions often package these components without deep interoperability engineering. This leads to commissioning delays, communication failures, cooling mismatches, nuisance trips, and reduced availability.
2) Lack of power-system know-how
Grid connection demands advanced expertise in:
* dynamic control behaviour
* protection coordination
* system stability interactions
* DER coordination
Without this knowledge, batteries frequently trip on voltage and frequency disturbances, cannot deliver contracted services, or create oscillatory behaviour in weak grids.
3) Systems not designed for grid stability
Many low-cost BESS were designed for:
backup power
peak shaving
energy arbitrage
But utility networks require capabilities such as:
* voltage and frequency regulation
* inertia emulation
* fault ride-through
* dynamic reactive power
* grid code compliance
When these capabilities are absent or poorly implemented, the system provides limited network support and may face operational restrictions.
4) Poor controls and BMS integration
Weak integration between BMS, PCS, and EMS can cause:
* inaccurate state-of-charge estimation
* thermal imbalance
* accelerated degradation
* shutdown events
* safety risks, including thermal incidents
Importantly, many large-scale failures originate from control architecture rather than cell quality.
5) Insufficient grid modelling
Utility-connected BESS require detailed studies including:
* load flow and fault analysis
* harmonic and EMT modelling
* stability and protection studies
Projects that skip these steps often experience unexpected instability, delayed approvals, or costly retrofits.
6) Lifecycle support risks
A common commercial failure point is post-commissioning support:
* limited local engineering capability
* proprietary software lock-in
* spare parts delays
* firmware and warranty challenges
* limited grid compliance support
This turns a low CAPEX purchase into a high lifecycle cost asset.
⭐ The reality
A grid-connected BESS is fundamentally a power system device, not a battery container. Its value depends on integration quality, control sophistication, modelling accuracy, and long-term support — often far more than cell price.
The lesson many developers learn too late: Cheap procurement does not deliver bankable grid performance.
Examples and thought pieces from Industry experience
Examples and thought pieces from Industry experience
Gotion BESS Europe | Utility-Scale
Gotion BESS Europe | Utility-Scale
1 day ago • Visible to anyone on or off LinkedIn
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🔧𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗦: 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿, 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆
A 5 MWh container holds 4992 cells.
Scale that to a 100 MWh project — you're managing ~100,000 cells.
Even at 1 ppm failure rate, you will face replacement scenarios.
But here’s the real issue 👇
⚠️ Maintenance is not about how often it happens
⚠️ It’s about how difficult it is when it does
From site experience:
• Heavy lifting equipment required
• Limited access between containers
• Safety constraints (live system, HV environment)
• Downtime impact on revenue
👉 Replacing just ONE pack can quickly become a full operation.
💡 My takeaway for developers & asset owners:
• Don’t underestimate maintainability in design phase
• Prioritize easy access & modularity
• Plan for real on-site conditions, not just datasheets
Because in BESS…
O&M reality > theoretical reliability
https://www.epri.com/research/products/000000003002030360
EPRI records large failures. however, no one records the C&I space, and these are usually not out right failures, but poor integration, no support, no easy way to train local technicians, for maintenance, system expansion, etc.
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