Socomec has unveiled a medium-voltage version of its SUNSYS HES XXL SKID, a drop-and-start energy storage system the company claims will cut installation time, rein in project costs and reduce dependence on third-party EPC contractors.
The ready-to-use unit bundles inverters, transformers and switchgear on a single skid and is available for on-grid applications from 1 MVA/1 MWh upwards. Socomec says the pre-engineered package can be craned into place, cabled to the battery racks and grid connection, and be up and running in a fraction of the time normally required to commission a large-scale battery energy storage system.
This comes at an especially important time, as Europe’s appetite for big batteries is booming. Utility-scale projects are forecast to account for 45% of new storage capacity by 2028, while commercial and industrial installations are tipped to grow by a further 25% over the same period. That surge has left developers hunting for fully integrated solutions that avoid the delays and spiralling costs that come with juggling multiple vendors and site-specific engineering.
Socomec’s answer is to do the engineering at the factory and deliver a single, CE-marked module that can be connected to either LV or MV networks. By consolidating procurement and eliminating large chunks of on-site electrical work, the French manufacturer argues that project risk is sharply reduced and investors can start earning revenue sooner – whether the asset is providing grid support services, firming co-located renewables or powering heavy-duty EV chargers.
How it all works
According to Socomec, the SUNSYS HES XXL SKID ships with all AC components pre-mounted. Project owners need only land the skid, bolt up AC mains and DC battery strings, run the comms cables and commission the software. Socomec’s engineers claim the compact footprint eases space constraints on tight sites, while the factory-tested architecture minimises snagging once the unit is energised.
Etienne Cottrant, Energy Storage Solutions Specialist at Socomec, commented, “Innovation is at the heart of everything we do and we’re committed to making energy storage deployment as seamless as possible. With the EU’s goal of a carbon-neutral economy by 2050, energy storage plays a vital role in supporting the growth of renewables.
“Our turnkey solution, pre-engineered and factory-mounted with transformers and switchgear, takes the complexity out of projects – reducing delays, simplifying procurement and ensuring long-term reliability. It also allows those working on front-of-the-meter applications to generate ROI quicker from their assets.
“By removing the need for multiple vendors, we’re helping businesses accelerate their energy storage investments with more efficient project planning.”
