What Are the Components of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)?
Date: 15/07/26
Battery energy storage systems are becoming a common sight on construction projects, road and rail repairs and other sites across the UK. They facilitate renewable energy use, cut operating costs and deliver consistent, safe, reliable energy day and night.
But exactly what is a battery energy storage system? And what are the components of a BESS that make it so effective in increasing efficiency and cutting costs?
The 10 Core Components of a Battery Energy Storage System
A battery energy storage system is more than just a fancy battery; it is a high-tech energy storage and distribution system that is packed with features to make your energy more environmentally friendly, more efficient and more cost-effective.
So, what are the core components of a BESS and what do they do?
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Lithium ion battery – at the heart of a battery energy storage system lies a state-of-the-art lithium ion battery. This is where the electrical energy is stored. The size of the battery sets the capacity of the system, in kWh, and the power output, in kVA.
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Battery management system – large batteries like a BESS require careful management and protection to deliver optimum performance and increase longevity. The BMS prevents overcharging or over-discharge and monitors faults and safety issues
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Power converter – BESS batteries store energy as direct current (D/C), which needs to be converted to alternating current (A/C) for most uses on site. Power converters can also convert A/C input to D/C for storage.
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Energy management system – Think Hire battery energy storage systems all come with our industry leading energy management systems. This smart software balances renewable energy with generator back-up for continuous power at the most cost-effective rate, as well as managing peak shaving and load sharing to maximise the efficiency of energy use.
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Temperature control – batteries work most efficiently within a narrow temperature range. The temperature control system cools the battery during hot weather and peak use and warms it during cold winter weather and overnight use.
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Fire and safety systems – even the best battery systems are vulnerable to fire risks and other safety issues. Think Hire battery energy storage systems come with fire and safety protection as standard, including fire detection and suppression, and emergency shutdown protocols.
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Transfer switch – BESS have integrated transfer switches to facilitate easy energy input and distribution when and where you need it. Transfer switches also allow the system to swap between input sources, such as solar powered generators and diesel units.
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Communications – built-in telemetry allows you to monitor the performance of your Think Hire BESS in detail from the site office, head office, or anywhere else in the world, keeping you right up to date with data in real time, and putting you in complete control.
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Secure enclosure – Think Hire battery energy storage systems come conveniently packaged in a robust, weatherproof enclosure, complete with anti-theft features and secure internal battery lockers.
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Lifting points – Think Hire BESS are skid mounted with forklift pockets and lifting eyes, so you can deploy them easily wherever they are needed and move them as your project progresses.
Advanced energy management
The combination of features on Think Hire’s battery energy storage systems demonstrates just how advanced modern energy management has become, even on challenging and remote sites. We manufacture our own BESS units, so we can keep control of quality at every stage and ensure that our BESS always include the very latest technology to make your site safer and your energy cleaner and more cost-effective.
To find out more about how battery energy storage systems can benefit your site, or to enquire about hire or sales of BESS, contact our friendly team today. For the very best in BESS, think Think Hire.
Frequently asked questions about BESS components
Battery energy storage systems are designed to last for 10-15 years, covering thousands of charge cycles. Think Hire BESS components, such as battery management systems and energy management, protect the BESS and extend the lifespan.
Battery management systems look after the battery itself, monitoring performance, managing charge and discharge and detecting faults. Energy management systems look after the broader energy use of the grid, including peak shaving and load sharing. EMS also balances energy input, minimising generator runtime and slashing fuel costs.
Absolutely. BESS systems are designed to facilitate clean energy use by balancing solar, wind and diesel generator power. For example, BESS can store excess solar energy during the day for use at night, reducing both costs and noisy generator runtime.
Many of the components of a battery energy storage system are designed for protection and safety. This includes the battery management system, which protects the battery from faults and overloads, the energy management system, which can detect, predict and even fix faults autonomously, and the fire protection system, which detects and suppresses fires.
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