As Mariano Martínez Larcuen, Country Manager – Solarig Australia writes, the level of domestic opportunity when it comes to battery energy storage systems and other renewable energy sources has rarely been higher. So, how can we make the most of it?
Australia has become one of the world’s most dynamic markets for large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS), with more than 30 assets and 7.5 GWh (gigawatt-hours) currently operational.
The sector’s growth is driven by ambitious renewable targets and a robust regulatory framework under the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). The recent Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) tender marked a major milestone, awarding over 24 GWh of new storage capacity. The country has rapidly become the global testbed for BESS development and innovation, which has positioned Australia at the forefront of large-scale BESS development. It also brings new technical and operational challenges.
Meeting these requires a simple yet hard-to-achieve formula: boots on the ground, a local AEMO compliance data-driven control centre, and strong partnerships with OEMs through Long-Term Service Agreements (LTSAs) that guarantee performance, reliability, and long-term value for asset owners.
In Australia’s rapidly evolving yet still maturing BESS market, conservative lenders and technical advisers often recommend that project owners and developers sign Long-Term Service Agreements (LTSAs) with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). These contracts typically include comprehensive operation and maintenance scopes, covering everything from spare parts supply to product warranties, service guarantees, and the definition of liquidated damages.
However, not all OEMs are fully aligned with these extensive requirements or equipped to deliver beyond their core manufacturing capabilities. As the market continues to mature, many are adjusting LTSA frameworks to improve project bankability, strike a balance between warranties and flexibility, and better reflect owner expectations.
This evolution is gradually shaping a more collaborative model, in which OEMs focus on product guarantees and spare parts, while independent service providers take the lead on operational performance, availability, and long-term maintenance excellence. This comprehensive LTSA approach is already being used in countries like the United States, reducing the scope and evolving toward limiting commitments to standard two-year construction warranties.
This shift allows owners to develop long-term O&M (operation and maintenance) strategies for their BESS assets, allocating services to specialised providers best suited to each responsibility. For example, OEMs for spare parts and product guarantees, and independent service providers, such as Solarig, for O&M performance and availability commitments.
Within this context, Solarig has strengthened its leadership in Australia, recently exceeding two GW (gigawatts) of O&M assets across five states; South Australia, Western Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland.
The company’s portfolio includes flagship projects such as Stubbo Solar (520 MWp (mega watt peak), Bungala Solar (275 MWp), and Darlington Point (333 MWp). With a global storage base of more than 4.2 GWh, Solarig is well positioned to support Australia’s transition toward a more flexible, stable, and resilient renewable grid.
Tier One O&M services in BESS require a combination of Australian AEMO-compliant control centre operations, data-driven maintenance intelligence, field expertise, HV (high voltage) switching capability, and adherence to evolving energy market regulations and cybersecurity standards. In Australia, integrating these elements within a single organisation is essential for smooth and safe asset operation. Solarig is one of the few companies capable of delivering this level of service nationwide.
Data-driven operations
Solarig’s Australian Control Centre plays a pivotal role in achieving operational excellence.
By integrating AI (artificial intelligence) and advanced analytics within its Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and CMMS (Computerised Maintenance Management System) environments – such as its own digital platform CUSTODIAN – it transforms raw operational data into actionable intelligence.
This predictive capability enables operators to detect irregularities before they escalate, optimise performance, and extend asset lifespan. Such a proactive approach ensures ongoing AEMO compliance and maximises system availability.
Boots on the ground
While digital intelligence is vital, operational excellence also relies on the strength of local field operations. Solarig’s network of service hubs and highly trained HV technicians across South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland ensures rapid response times and consistent service quality.
These local teams handle HV switching, preventive maintenance, and emergency corrective interventions, keeping every asset fully operational and compliant with safety and environmental standards. All activities are coordinated with and approved by OEMs, and Solarig invests heavily in training its personnel to deliver Tier One maintenance across Australia while maintaining full warranty compliance.
The level of service in BESS O&M is defined by a set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that measure the technical, operational, and financial health of each asset. These KPIs promote accountability, transparency, and performance optimisation within every LTSA or O&M agreement.
Availability and exclusions
High availability, typically above 98 per cent, is the cornerstone of O&M contracts. However, clear definitions of exclusions are vital to avoid ambiguity and ensure fair risk allocation. Factors such as grid outages, force majeure, and OEM-dependent events must be explicitly defined, enabling transparent performance assessment. When deviations occur, contractual frameworks establish liquidated damages (LDs) to safeguard owner revenues.
Efficiency linked to energy
Energy storage assets are assessed not only on uptime but also on their efficiency. Round-Trip Efficiency (RTE) measures the ratio of discharged energy to charged energy and indicates system efficiency over its lifecycle. Regular monitoring of RTE and total energy throughput helps operators identify degradation trends, ensuring the system meets its lifetime energy guarantees and informs improved maintenance routines. This KPI is often linked to liquidated damages clauses to ensure long-term efficiency standards.
Beyond efficiency, the ability of a BESS to retain and discharge stored energy over time is a key performance metric. Energy Retention measures how much energy remains available after a full charging cycle, reflecting cell degradation, chemistry stability, thermal management, and balance-of-system control quality.
By correlating energy retention with cumulative energy throughput, operators can earlier detect ageing trends and capacity fade.
Routine validation against design expectations ensures assets continue to meet warranty and revenue requirements. Integrated into predictive analytics, this KPI supports proactive scheduling of rebalancing or cell replacements, extending battery life and maintaining reliable, bankable performance.
A robust, transparent KPI structure builds trust between owners, OEMs, and O&M operators, ensuring BESS systems deliver consistent, bankable results aligned with project financing and grid reliability expectations.
BESS form the backbone of Australia’s renewable energy future, bridging variability with flexibility and stability.
In this evolving market, O&M excellence determines asset longevity and profitability.
Solarig’s integrated approach – which combines predictive data analytics, a strong local field presence, and strategic OEM partnerships – sets a benchmark for reliability and performance.
By aligning technology, people, and processes within a single intelligent O&M model, Solarig ensures every megawatt of storage contributes effectively to a cleaner, more resilient energy system. This commitment positions Solarig as a key enabler of Australia’s renewable transformation.