Mobile Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS): Battery Storage Solutions for Australian Industry
Grid Rig builds mobile battery energy storage systems for commercial and industrial operators across Australia. Our BESS units range from 103kWh to 2MWh, delivering reliable power on sites where a permanent grid connection is impractical, delayed or unavailable.
Every unit is transportable, self-contained and built to Australian electrical and safety standards, with licensed electrical support through our sister company Vantage West.
Compare our models or talk to our team about your power needs.
What is a battery energy storage system?
A battery energy storage system stores electrical energy in batteries for later use. It draws power from the grid, a generator or a renewable energy source, holds that energy until it is needed, and discharges it on demand.
The core of any BESS is the same regardless of scale. Lithium-ion batteries store the energy. Power conversion systems, built around an inverter, convert between the direct current the batteries use and the alternating current most equipment requires. Battery management systems monitor cell temperature, voltage and state of charge, while energy management software decides when to charge and when to discharge.
At grid scale, battery energy storage solutions are used to balance energy supply and demand, smooth renewable energy generation and support grid stability. At site scale, the same battery technologies provide backup power, reduce peak demand charges and make off-grid operation practical.
The difference with a mobile BESS unit is that it goes to the work. A fixed installation is commissioned once and stays put. A mobile system is delivered, connected and relocated as operations change.
How mobile battery storage works
The operating principle is simple, and it is what makes battery storage works so well on constrained sites.
Charge from whatever power sources are available.
A modest mains supply, an existing generator, or solar energy through a compatible input. Charging happens steadily over hours.
Store the energy on board.
The battery capacity holds energy for later use, with smart battery management protecting cell health throughout.
Discharge at high power when needed.
The unit delivers far more output than the incoming supply could provide on its own, whether that is DC fast charging for an electric vehicle or industrial power supply for site equipment.
That buffering is the whole point. A site with a small connection can still run equipment with a large instantaneous demand, because the stored energy covers the gap. It is the same principle whether you are displacing a diesel generator on a remote site or supporting a fleet depot waiting on a network upgrade.
Types of battery storage system and battery technologies
Not every battery system suits every application. The main distinctions worth understanding:
Fixed containerised BESS.
Permanently installed, highest capacity, lowest cost per kWh over a long deployment. Suits stable sites with predictable energy demand.
Mobile battery storage systems.
Available in trailer-mounted and fixed configurations, transportable between locations, commissioned in hours rather than months and relocatable as work moves. Suits temporary sites, staged rollouts and operations awaiting grid connection.
Hybrid power systems.
A battery storage system paired with solar panels or a generator, where the battery handles peaks and the other source provides sustained supply. See our off-grid and hybrid power solutions page for these configurations.
On chemistry, most commercial and industrial systems now use lithium-ion batteries, chosen for energy density, cycle life and efficient energy conversion. Grid Rig units are lithium-ion, with liquid cooling and heating to maintain optimal cell temperatures across Australian conditions.
As the BESS market in Australia matures, more operators are specifying mobile systems over fixed installations, largely because connection timelines have not kept pace with demand.
Off-grid and hybrid power solution applications
Off-grid capability is where mobile battery storage earns its place. Mining, construction, agriculture and remote infrastructure all operate where grid power is distant or absent, and where the default power solution has been diesel.
A BESS changes that calculation. Used alongside solar and battery generation, it can cut generator run hours substantially, reducing fuel consumption, emissions and maintenance. Used on its own, it can provide reliable power for equipment that would otherwise need a dedicated genset. For most remote operations a battery-led configuration is the more flexible energy solution, because generators then run at their rated load for short periods rather than idling inefficiently for hours.
For operators running generators today, our diesel generator alternative page covers that comparison directly.
BESS systems for renewable energy integration
Renewable energy sources are variable by nature. Solar generates during the day and nothing at night. That mismatch between generation and demand is what storage exists to solve.
A BESS enables renewable energy integration by allowing you to store excess energy when generation exceeds consumption and release it when it does not. On a site with solar panels, that means clean energy captured at midday is available at dusk. The result is greater energy independence, lower reliance on fossil fuels, and a more predictable cost base.
Units can be charged from renewable sources or from the grid, whichever is cleaner or cheaper at the time. For operators tracking emissions, this is the most direct route to measurable reduction: every kilowatt-hour drawn from stored renewable generation rather than diesel is a kilowatt-hour of avoided emissions, and a step toward sustainable energy on site.
Grid support, peak demand and backup power
Grid-connected sites use battery storage for different reasons.
Peak demand management. Network charges are often driven by your highest demand interval rather than total energy usage. Smart energy management reduces energy costs by storing power when tariffs are low and discharging stored energy during peak periods, shaving that peak. This is the peak shaving and valley filling function our larger units are designed around.
Backup power. A BESS can provide backup power during outages, holding critical systems live without the start-up delay of a standby generator. Sites that run both will often reduce energy costs further by using the battery first and the generator only as a fallback.
Supply reliability. For sites with weak or constrained connections, a battery buffers the supply, improving reliability of power delivery to sensitive equipment.
Deployment across Australia
Grid Rig systems are manufactured for Australian conditions and supported by a licensed electrical team. Deployment is straightforward: units arrive transportable, are positioned on site, connected to the available power supply and commissioned. No civil works, no trenching, no permanent electrical infrastructure.
Units are available in mobile, trailer-mounted and fixed configurations, and every model can be upgraded to our Mine and Industrial Specification for harsh environments, adding heavy-gauge steel, reinforced lift points, reflective markings and a protected charging cradle.
We support applications across Australia, delivering efficient energy solutions for mining, transport, ports, aviation, agriculture and civil construction.
MODEL
BATTERY CAPACITY
MAX OUTPUT
TYPICAL APPLICATION
GR 100
103 kWh
120 kW
Compact sites, light fleet, small industrial loads
GR 200
217 kWh
180 kW
Medium-duty off-grid, dual CCS charging
GR 300 MCS
300 kWh
1,500 kW
Megawatt charging, heavy-duty operations
GR 400
434 kWh
180 kW
Heavy-duty off-grid, liquid cooled
GR 400 MX
434 kWh
360 kW
Fleet depots, remote operations, high voltage
GR 1M
1 MWh
400 kW
Large-scale off-grid power
GR 2M MCS
2 MWh
1,000 kW
Highest capacity, six DC charge points
Frequently asked questions about battery energy storage systems
What does a mobile BESS cost to run compared with a diesel generator?
Operating cost depends on how the unit is charged. Charged from mains at off-peak rates or from onsite solar, energy costs are typically well below diesel equivalents at current fuel prices. The saving is largest on sites where a generator currently runs at low load for long periods, since generators are inefficient under those conditions.
Can a battery energy storage system integrate with solar?
Yes. Grid Rig units accept solar-compatible inputs for hybrid system configurations, allowing the battery to store energy from renewable generation and discharge it when required.
How long does deployment take?
A mobile unit can generally be delivered, positioned and commissioned within a day, subject to site access and the available power supply. This is the main practical advantage over fixed infrastructure, which is typically constrained by grid connection lead times rather than equipment availability.
What size battery storage system do I need?
Sizing depends on daily energy use, peak power needs and how the unit will be recharged. A useful starting point is total kilowatt-hours consumed per day and the largest simultaneous load. Our team can work through this with you.
Are Grid Rig systems compliant with Australian standards?
Every unit carries AS3000 Part One compliance certification and is supported through service level agreements, with licensed electrical contracting capability through Vantage West, EC 10475.
MObile Bess that goes where the GRid Can't
Talk to us about the right unit for your power requirements, purchase and deployment options.