Hitting the right note in battery storage – how to avoid costly delays

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are moving from niche investments to critical infrastructure. But while demand is rising fast and technology is advancing to match, a stubborn challenge frequently resurfaces – integration risk. Too often, the different components and subsystems of a storage project are brought together only in the final stage: commissioning. It’s like assembling an orchestra on opening night and hoping everyone plays in time without ever rehearsing together.

One reason this happens lies in how projects are procured. While some owner-operators pay a premium for a full turnkey approach, others buy components separately, aiming for lower upfront costs. Both approaches have trade-offs: turnkey limits flexibility over technology choices, while conventional disaggregation increases the risk of last-minute compatibility issues. And when those issues emerge, any savings from the cheaper option can quickly be eaten away by poor performance.

Unlike solar PV, where every site is broadly doing the same job, each storage project is a unique arrangement of architectures, market services and control requirements. Without a capable conductor to bring every element into harmony, the risk of false starts and mistimed cues is high – and in energy storage, the longer the silence before the first note, the greater the financial cost.

The RESolve advantage: bringing every part into harmony

RESolve is that conductor. Our proprietary Energy Management System (EMS) and Power Plant Controller (PPC) gives owner-operators the flexibility of conventional procurement with the reduced risk profile of turnkey. Built on proven hardware and backed by over a decade of integration experience, it ensures every part of the project plays in sync from the first rehearsal.

By integrating batteries, inverters and other components into a unified, supplier-agnostic control platform, RESolve reduces commissioning risk by identifying and addressing issues early. It standardises operations across fleets regardless of supplier mix. And it gives operators deep technical visibility – from the high-level performance of the full ensemble down to the individual notes of each battery cell – so problems can be diagnosed and rectified before they disrupt performance.

Like taste in music, markets change over time. RESolve keeps assets adaptable, whether that means adding more cells to increase capacity, combining storage with solar PV, or adjusting control algorithms to capture new revenue streams. This allows owner-operators to change the music without rebuilding the orchestra.

Playing for the long term

For many owner-operators, the early stages of building a storage portfolio have already revealed the cost of missed cues – from delayed commissioning to higher-than-expected operational costs. Left unaddressed, these challenges can erode returns and limit the flexibility to adapt assets over their full lifecycle. Integrating a proven, flexible control system from the outset safeguards commercial operation dates, protects operational cost forecasts, and preserves choice over suppliers and architectures.

Battery storage will only grow in importance as grids decarbonise. Success will depend on delivering projects on time, operating them efficiently, and adapting to shifting market demands.

RESolve offers a third path between expensive turnkey and risky disaggregation – one that keeps costs competitive while minimising integration risk. With the right conductor in place from the first rehearsal, you can be confident the performance will start on time, stay in harmony and make a lasting impression for years to come.