Condition-Based Monitoring for Safer, More Reliable Battery Energy Storage Systems
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are scaling fast, which is exactly why operators are under pressure. As BESS fleets get larger and more critical, operators need better visibility into asset condition, thermal behavior, transformer health, grid interaction, and system risk.
Battery energy storage operators need more than battery data. They need electrical asset intelligence that helps prevent outages, reduce safety risk, and improve confidence in system performance.
Turn blindspots into Operational Insight with Continuous Online Monitoring
A BESS site is not just batteries. It depends on transformers, switchgear, interconnections, cooling systems, controls, and communications. If operators cannot see degrading conditions early, they are left reacting instead of planning. You can’t protect what you can’t see. Continuous online monitoring turns blind spots into operational insight.
Stay Online When It Matters Most
Unlike grid or industrial transformers, BESS units see:
- Rapid charge/discharge cycling (high cycling duty)
- Frequent power reversals (import/export)
- High ramp rates
- Irregular, non-sinusoidal loading (harmonic loading)
These conditions are not always considered in traditional transformer design. The result is accelerated insulation ageing and hidden thermal stress that conventional monitoring cannot detect. Continuous online monitoring provides the real operating picture, capturing dynamic loading and enabling early detection of emerging issues.
Digital ETMs (Electronic Transformer Monitors such as B100) aren’t just “nice to have” on BESS transformers, they solve some very specific problems that are unique to how battery systems stress transformers. Without this, you’re essentially blind to accelerated ageing caused by aggressive dispatch strategies. Learn more about the B100 here.
Apart from this, the Dynamic Ratings E3 Monitor changes the transformer from a passive constraint into an actively managed asset: enabling real-time, transformer-aware BESS operation that maximizes utilization while protecting insulation life. Learn more about the E3 here.
Switchgear Maintenance: From Time-Based to Condition-Based
Traditional switchgear maintenance relies on fixed intervals and operation counts. In BESS environments, this approach is no longer sufficient due to high switching frequency and dynamic operating conditions. By combining monitoring with maintenance, operators can: perform maintenance based on actual asset condition, not assumptions, leverage breaker analytics to assess contact issues and mechanism health.
Monitoring Battery Energy Storage System Assets
Transformer Monitoring
Transformers have many critical points to monitor – temperature, bushings, partial discharge, OLTC, key gas, harmonics, voltage control, and more. Our global expertise can help you choose the right solution to protect your asset.
Circuit Breaker Monitoring
Online circuit breaker monitoring continuously evaluates the conditions of a breaker, identifying conditions that could lead to breaker failure in their early stages, allowing time to take corrective action before a catastrophic event occurs.
Switchgear Monitoring
Switchgear is a key defensive asset in the substation, directly safeguarding the reliability of the power supply. Monitoring is easy to implement and will boost reliability, efficiency and safety in the workplace.
Condition Based Monitoring
Rising equipment failures are driving utilities to adopt condition-based monitoring. Online monitoring improves asset reliability, reduces failure risks, and maximizes asset load. See the key differences between time-based and condition-based monitoring.
Communications
Setting up proper communications is essential to the success of online monitoring. We have an option that is affordable, easy to install and secure. Our monitors have a variety of communication protocols available for your convenience.
Asset Management Software
DynamicMetrix® consolidates all your monitoring data and analyzes it in real-time to deliver a complete fleet assessment. The platform provides detailed analytics to make timely decisions and take appropriate actions to maximize the assets’ performance.
LIFESTREAM Support Services
Asset management goes beyond installing a monitor and relies on an ongoing partnership to turn data into results. LIFESTREAM provides comprehensive support throughout the entire asset lifecycle, delivering consistent value rather than just information.
Planning Services
Our Principal Engineers are available to assist in the development of the foundational elements of your asset management program.Design Services
Our engineers configure each system to collect, evaluate and transmit the required information in the format that fits your process.Project Management
Our expert team offers project management services from design to implementation and training to coordinate a successful experience.Implementation Services
We offers services for monitoring hardware deployment. Our team undertakes all work in a safe manner, observing relevant regulations and procedures.Verification Services
We verify everything is in working condition through commissioning, documentation, management and more. This helps ensure the success of our customers.Support Team
Our team of experts is here for you. We offer training and support to help you succeed.