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Home >Battery Energy Storage News >Industry Insights >What to expect at your BESS installation with Connected Energy

Industry Insights

What to expect at your BESS installation with Connected Energy

With years of experience installing our battery energy storage systems (BESS), there is no challenge that we haven’t faced. We spoke to our Power Project Engineer, Darren Cheadle, who has outlined all the stages that we go through to ensure a successful installation.

06/12/2023

Darren Cheadle has been involved in project managing our system installations since he joined Connected Energy in 2021, bringing with him a wealth of experience in project management, design, and safety regarding the UK power grid.

Today, for our customers, Darren can offer the technical insights and assurances for our clients enquiring about BESS, as well as being a first point-of-contact throughout the installation, to ensure that everything goes smoothly, and meets our high standards, ensuring we meet your expectations time and time again.

All our projects begin with a feasibility study – this allows our data team to assess the suitability of a site for battery energy storage. This study models a customer’s energy data and objectives to build a picture of what the system can achieve. Once the customer is happy that they would like to proceed further, this is where Darren comes in.

Site survey

The next step in the process is a site survey. Darren and his team will visit the site to assess what the potential installation looks like. We look at where it’s viable for a system to be installed, and what the physical location looks like. We always look for somewhere with enough space for the system to allow for access points for maintenance and monitoring as well as assessing where the electrical connection and meter points are – for the most cost-effective installation.

At this point, we also review the integration with other existing systems already in place on site as well as reviewing any security concerns – i.e., whether the site is manned.

We always keep our findings completely transparent to ensure that clients know exactly what their investment in energy storage will generate for them over the coming years.

Kick-off meeting

Following the site survey, we then arrange a Kick-off meeting with the client where we run through the results of the survey and agree on roles and responsibilities.

Darren says: “Once the system installation is agreed upon, we will arrange a Kick-off meeting that will allow us to have introductions between all relevant parties and outline lead times, expectations, and responsibilities of all involved, to ensure there is no confusion throughout the delivery and installation process.

“The project scope will be confirmed at this point and will require both internal and client sign off, with any specific details and requirements on the specification outlined and agreed upon.”

G99 application

Commissioning includes the application to your DNO (District Network Operator) for G99 – any large-scale generation requires this safety regulation compliance – which ensures that in the event of a power outage from the grid, your system doesn’t try to feed to the connector (auto shuts off and restarts once power is restored).

Delivery and installation

From this point, we will then arrange delivery of the system, and ensure the electrical installation takes place – we can do this, or the client may have an electrical engineer they wish to use – and then we will come back for commissioning.

When the container is delivered to the site, it is loaded into position by crane, so access on the day is vital. Once in place, we visually inspect the system, carry out the electrical connection, and undertake a full site acceptance test, to prepare for the energisation as well as all functionality and safety testing.

Some sites require a PLD (power limiting device), which can be used to ensure that any import or export limitations on the supply from the grid (G100) or within the customers’ installation are respected. For example, if there is a maximum import to the site in their connection agreement.

Handover

Darren says: “Whilst the installation is taking place, we will organise a handover session to the customer including a demo of our custom software, CEMP (Connected Energy Management Platform), which allows the customer to view their usage and control charge/discharge. If required, we can support with managing the system’s charge and discharge, to help maximise the potential for the customer.

“During this handover, we will also complete document handovers, including compliance certificates and connections to the fire panel and security system where included, will be completed.

Aftercare

After the installation and handover are complete, we are very much on hand to support in the coming days, weeks, and months, and we also offer a system warranty to provide peace of mind to our clients.

The warranty is guaranteed for five years and covers maintenance and monitoring, ensuring you have a worry-free support package in place for your system. You will also have points of contact with our technical and data team to support you throughout the lifespan of your system.

Want to know more? Why not read our battery energy storage installation FAQs piece from Darren?

Let's connect!

All of this is a brief overview but should provide a complex insight into the BESS installation process for a typical client. If you wish to discuss your own specific needs and questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch below.

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