BESS Commissioning Services Australia

BESS commissioning is the systematic process of testing, validating, and energising a battery energy storage system to confirm it operates safely and in accordance with its design intent, manufacturer specifications, and grid connection requirements. Unlike traditional substation commissioning, BESS projects involve the integration of power conversion systems (PCS), battery management systems (BMS), thermal management, fire suppression, and real-time energy management software – all of which must be validated as a complete, functioning system before grid connection.

• 20+ years’ HV commissioning experience applied to the specific requirements of BESS projects.
• Omicron test equipment fleet – the preferred platform for modern digital protection and control.
• National coverage: offices in Tasmania, SA, NSW and Queensland, deploying anywhere in Australia.
• Independent and technology-agnostic – we work across all BESS manufacturers.
• Grid compliance expertise – deep understanding of NER, AEMO processes, and NSP standards.
• ISO 9001, 14001, 45001 certified – quality, environmental, and safety management certified.

• Design verification – Review of single line diagrams, protection schematics, SCADA architecture, BMS configuration, and thermal management design against the connection agreement and Generator Performance Standards (GPS) requirements.
• FAT result review – Assessment of factory acceptance test data for PCS inverters, transformers, switchgear, and battery modules to identify deviations prior to site installation.
• Commissioning plan development – Preparation of detailed commissioning plans, inspection and test plans (ITPs), and hold-point schedules aligned with NSP and AEMO requirements.

• HV switchgear – Primary injection testing, contact resistance, insulation resistance, SF6 gas checks, and functional operation verification.
• Power transformers – Turns ratio (TTR), winding resistance, insulation power factor (tan delta), SFRA, dissolved gas analysis (DGA), and vector group verification.
• Protection relays – Secondary injection testing using Omicron CMC 356 and CMC 500. Verification of settings, trip times, and scheme logic for overcurrent, earth fault, differential, distance, and anti-islanding protection.
• CT and VT testing – Ratio verification, polarity checks, burden measurements, and magnetisation curves using Omicron CT Analyzer.
• Earthing system – Earth grid resistance, step and touch potential testing, and fault loop impedance verification.
• DC systems – Battery charger testing, DC distribution, changeover schemes, and UPS verification.

• SCADA and communications – End-to-end verification of SCADA point lists, DNP3/IEC 61850/Modbus protocols, alarm propagation, and remote control between the BESS EMS, site SCADA, and NSP/AEMO control room.
• BMS integration – Validation of BMS communication with PCS and SCADA. Verification of SOC reporting, cell balancing, thermal alerts, and emergency shutdown sequences.
• PCS functional testing – Charge/discharge cycling, power ramp rate verification, reactive power capability, frequency response validation, and grid-forming/grid-following mode switching.
• Fire suppression – Functional testing of enclosure fire detection and suppression, including integration with BMS shutdown and SCADA alarm annunciation.

• R1/R2 hold-point testing – Execution of AEMO-required R1 and R2 hold-point tests to demonstrate compliance with generator performance standards: active power control, reactive power capability, voltage control, frequency response, and fault ride-through.
• Energisation support – On-site engineering during HV energisation, transformer energisation, and first charge/discharge cycles.
• Performance validation – Post-energisation monitoring and tuning to verify contracted capacity, round-trip efficiency, and response time specifications.