As the global energy transition accelerates and demand grows exponentially, utility-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) are playing a central role in enabling grid stability, integrating all forms of energy generation, and improving energy resilience. But, while attention often centers on the batteries themselves—their chemistry, capacity, and cost—the real driver of overall site performance lies on the less tangible: the software, or energy management system (EMS), that coordinates the systems, subsystems, and human actions of BESS operations.
The EMS is the Brain of the BESS
Operating a BESS site requires a robust EMS solution that goes beyond the capabilities of the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), the battery management system (BMS), and the power conversion system (PCS). Think of an EMS as the brain of the BESS that oversees and communicates with all subsystems. The EMS dictates how and when assets store and dispatch energy, provides the ability for real-time responsiveness to market demands and maintenance requirements, and arms asset owners and operators with predictive analytics to maximize the lifespan of energy storage assets.
The 1% Line Item that Dictates Your BESS ROI
In the emerging BESS market, the reality is that not all EMS are created equal, and consequently, many BESS owners and operators are not seeing the performance they expect from their assets. Early in project design and planning, these stakeholders face an onslaught of decisions specific to their BESS use case, location, and system design.
Comparing EMS options is often not prioritized as highly as other decisions during procurement and project development. EMS software typically represents less than 1% of a BESS project’s total capital expenditure. But that sliver of the budget controls how the other 99% performs for the lifetime of the project.
Once BESS assets are online and interacting with the grid, owners and operators may find themselves in one of these situations:
- Operating with limited capacity or availability
- Challenges with battery imbalances and calibration issues
- Surprised by state of health diagnostics and accelerated degradation
- Lacking visibility into site operations and performance
- OEM or other vendors are slow to respond
- EMS provider has gone out of business, and are need a new solution quickly
Lean on a BESS Expert: FlexGen’s Analytical Site Assessment
If you identify with one of the scenarios above, then it is time to lean on a battery storage expert to identify the best course of action for your BESS site. Fortunately, FlexGen has over 15 years of experience supporting and solving problems in the battery storage industry. We provide a consultative, in-depth diagnostic process to assess your overall system performance, EMS capabilities and if necessary, a streamlined EMS swap out process to optimize your site performance.
Our Analytical Site Assessment was designed to assess underperforming assets, provide a direct path to higher availability, enable customers with better operational control, and maximize their potential financial returns.
Our Analytical Site Assessment consists of:
- HybridOS Analyze: FlexGen’s vendor-agnostic analytics software connects to your EMS, PCS and battery data, identifying hidden performance limitations.
- Expert Engineering Review: Our engineers assess how your system compares to industry benchmarks.
- Onsite Field Inspection: A hands-on, physical inspection to validate data-driven findings.
- Financial Impact Study: We translate performance gaps into tangible financial implications, providing justification for software or other improvements.
Upgrading Your EMS for Improved Performance
There is good news no matter what EMS you chose in the early planning of your BESS site—FlexGen’s solutions work with any vendor in the battery storage industry! The fate of your battery storage site is not sealed based on the hardware or software you currently use. If an Analytical Site Assessment determines that your software lags in response time, battery health management, market compliance, or data transparency and reporting, then FlexGen can manage all aspects of a seamless swap out and integration of our HybridOS™ platform.
Our EMS Retrofit solution includes:
- Innovation Lab Pre-Integration & Testing: Before we touch your site, we map your DC and AC block modbus, build a digital twin, and simulate system behavior.
- One-Touch Commissioning: Our field-tested deployment processes ensure smooth deployment and minimize downtime.
- Hands-Off HybridOS Implementation: FlexGen's EMS, HybridOS, enables real-time performance optimization, custom control adjustments, and seamless integration with market participation strategies.
- Seamless Field-Testing Validation: Because we resolve most issues in advance, onsite commissioning is faster and smoother.
- Lifecycle Services: Our remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, and ongoing software upgrades ensure that your EMS continuously improves over time.
FlexGen’s HybridOS EMS platform is purpose-built for utility-scale storage, delivering the intelligence and responsiveness today’s grid demands. It’s not just software—it’s a smarter operating system for your energy assets.
In the race to deploy gigawatts of storage, ensure your BESS project is set up to meet expectations from investors and the grid. If your site isn't performing to expectations, you lack the visibility you need to proactively manage your assets, or you just want to get more from your investment, then connect with FlexGen to define your next steps. We’re dedicated to helping you unlock the full potential of your energy storage investment.
