Battery Energy Storage Systems Course

Lesson 1 • Battery Cell Architecture

Describes cell components, form factors, and internal construction. Connects cell-level design to module and system-level performance.

Lesson 2 • Electrochemical Storage Principles

Explains oxidation-reduction reactions, ion transport, and electrode chemistry. Provides the chemical foundation needed to understand battery operation.

Lesson 3 • Key Performance Metrics

Defines energy density, power density, cycle life, and round-trip efficiency. Students use these metrics to compare technologies throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Flow Battery Technologies

Covers vanadium redox, zinc-bromine, and iron-flow systems and their scalability. Highlights long-duration storage advantages over lithium-ion.

Lesson 2 • Alternative and Emerging Chemistries

Surveys sodium-ion, solid-state, and metal-air batteries at various maturity levels. Prepares students to evaluate future technology transitions.

Lesson 3 • Lithium-Ion Chemistry Variants

Examines NMC, LFP, NCA, and LTO cathode chemistries and their trade-offs. Directly informs technology selection decisions in later chapters.

Lesson 1 • Thermal Management Systems

Explains air-cooling, liquid-cooling, and phase-change thermal architectures. Connects thermal control to safety, performance, and battery longevity.

Lesson 2 • Cell to System Scaling

Traces the hierarchy from cell to module to rack to container. Explains how series and parallel configurations affect voltage and capacity.

Lesson 3 • Battery Management Systems

Details BMS functions including cell monitoring, balancing, and protection. Establishes BMS as the critical safety and performance layer of any BESS.

Lesson 4 • Auxiliary and Balance-of-Plant Systems

Covers fire suppression, HVAC, security, and auxiliary power systems. Completes the full system picture needed for site design and commissioning.

Lesson 1 • Communication Protocols and Standards

Covers Modbus, DNP3, IEC 61850, and CAN bus protocols used in BESS. Ensures students can specify and troubleshoot communication architectures.

Lesson 2 • Dispatch and Optimisation Strategies

Teaches rule-based, model predictive, and AI-driven dispatch algorithms. Students apply these strategies to maximise revenue and minimise degradation.

Lesson 3 • State Estimation Algorithms

Covers Coulomb counting, Kalman filtering, and model-based SOC/SOH estimation. Accurate state estimation underpins safe and efficient dispatch decisions.

Lesson 4 • Grid Services and Ancillary Functions

Explains frequency regulation, voltage support, peak shaving, and black-start capability. Connects control strategies to specific grid service revenue streams.

Lesson 1 • Risk Assessment Methodologies

Applies FMEA, HAZOP, and bow-tie analysis to BESS installations. Students produce a structured risk register for a sample project.

Lesson 2 • Electrical Hazards and Arc Flash

Covers DC arc flash, high-voltage shock risk, and ground fault hazards specific to BESS. Prepares students to apply electrical safety procedures on-site.

Lesson 3 • Thermal Runaway Mechanisms

Explains the chain reactions, trigger conditions, and propagation pathways of thermal runaway. Foundational for all subsequent safety design and response topics.

Lesson 4 • Hazardous Gas and Chemical Risks

Identifies toxic and flammable gases released during battery failure events. Connects gas hazards to ventilation design and emergency response planning.

Lesson 1 • Power Quality and Grid Codes

Explains voltage ride-through, frequency ride-through, and power factor requirements. Students verify BESS designs against applicable grid code criteria.

Lesson 2 • Point of Interconnection Design

Details transformer sizing, switchgear selection, and protection scheme design at the POI. Bridges system architecture knowledge to utility-facing design.

Lesson 3 • Grid Interconnection Requirements

Covers utility interconnection studies, protection relay settings, and metering requirements. Establishes the regulatory and technical baseline for grid connection.

Lesson 1 • System Sizing and Design

Applies energy and power sizing methodologies to match BESS to application requirements. Outputs a preliminary design specification for procurement.

Lesson 2 • Handover and Operational Readiness

Covers as-built documentation, operator training, and operational readiness reviews. Transitions the project from construction to sustained operations.

Lesson 3 • Procurement and Contracting

Covers RFP development, vendor evaluation, and contract structures for BESS supply. Prepares students to manage supplier relationships and contractual risk.

Lesson 4 • Installation and Commissioning

Details civil works, electrical wiring and termination, pre-commissioning checks, and functional testing. Ensures students can oversee safe and compliant BESS commissioning.

Lesson 1 • Performance Monitoring and Analytics

Uses SCADA data, KPI dashboards, and trend analysis to detect performance degradation. Enables proactive intervention before failures affect revenue.

Lesson 2 • Preventive Maintenance Programmes

Defines inspection intervals, cleaning procedures, and component replacement schedules. Directly reduces unplanned downtime and extends asset life.

Lesson 3 • Capacity Fade and Degradation Management

Quantifies capacity fade mechanisms and applies mitigation strategies to slow degradation. Informs augmentation planning and contract performance guarantees.

Lesson 4 • End-of-Life and Repurposing Strategies

Evaluates second-life applications, repowering options, and responsible battery recycling. Completes the full asset lifecycle management perspective.