321.5kWh High-Voltage Energy Storage Project in the UK
A rack-based high-voltage LFP battery storage project designed for commercial energy storage, backup power support and flexible energy management in the UK market.
- Project Country: United Kingdom
- System Capacity: 321.5kWh
- Nominal Voltage: DC512V
- System Configuration: 2P160S
- Battery Chemistry: LiFePO4
- Cabinet Layout: 20 Battery Packs + 2 High-Voltage Boxes + 4 × 37U Cabinets
Project Background
The UK site required a battery storage system that could provide higher energy capacity, safer battery management and better integration flexibility than a simple low-voltage storage system.
For many UK commercial and industrial users, electricity cost and energy reliability are becoming more important. Sites may need to manage grid power use, support renewable energy integration, improve backup capability or prepare for future energy management upgrades.
A high-voltage rack ESS was selected because the project required:
- Higher DC voltage for commercial energy storage integration
- Modular battery packs for easier transportation and maintenance
- Cabinet-based layout for structured installation
- BMS and BCU control for system-level protection
- Communication capability for monitoring and external system integration
- Flexible future configuration with PCS, EMS and site-side energy control
A 321.5kWh High-Voltage ESS Built for a UK Commercial Energy Storage Project
This UK project uses a 321.5kWh high-voltage rack energy storage system based on LFP battery technology, modular battery packs, high-voltage BCU control and a multi-cabinet rack structure.
Avepower configured the system with 20 rack-mounted battery packs, 2 high-voltage BCU boxes and 4 standard 37U cabinets, creating a modular high-voltage battery platform for the UK project.
Each battery pack uses LFP71173207 314Ah 3.2V cells in a 1P16S configuration. One pack has a nominal voltage of DC51.2V and a nominal energy of approximately 16.0768kWh. With 20 battery packs in the full system, the total nominal energy reaches 321.5kWh.
| System Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Cell Type | LFP71173207 / 314Ah / 3.2V |
| Battery Pack Model | 5C0320-512314 rack high-voltage pack |
| Pack Configuration | 1P16S |
| Pack Nominal Voltage | DC51.2V |
| Pack Voltage Range | DC40V-58.4V |
| Pack Nominal Energy | 16.0768kWh |
| Full System Configuration | 2P160S |
| Full System Energy | 321.5kWh |
| Full System Voltage | DC512V |
| Full System Voltage Range | DC400V-584V |
| High-Voltage Box | BCU installed inside |
| Cabinet Type | 37U standard rack cabinet |
| Cabinet Quantity | 4 cabinets |
Battery Pack Design
The battery pack design supports a structured rack-based ESS layout, allowing the system to be assembled, transported, installed and serviced more conveniently than a fully fixed battery cabinet.
| Battery Pack Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| Cell Model | LFP71173207 / 314Ah / 3.2V |
| Series and Parallel | 1P16S |
| Nominal Capacity | 314Ah |
| Nominal Voltage | DC51.2V |
| Working Voltage Range | DC40V-58.4V |
| Nominal Energy | 16.0768kWh |
| Rated Charge Current | 100A |
| Rated Discharge Current | 100A |
| Maximum Sustainable Operating Current | 200A |
| Communication Protocol | CAN |
| Optimal Operation Temperature | 25 ±5°C |
| Pack Weight | Approx. 113kg |
| IP Grade | IP20 |
| Pack Size Without Connectors and Handles | 676 × 483 × 240mm |
| Pack Size With Connectors and Handles | 723 × 483 × 240mm |
High-Voltage BCU and Battery Management
The Battery Control Unit (BCU) supports real-time communication with the main control system and uploads battery data for system monitoring. The UK customer places great importance on stable system operation, visibility of alarm information, and traceability of maintenance records.
| BCU Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Applicable Platform | <1000V |
| Supply Voltage | 12-30V |
| Rated Power Consumption | <3W |
| Total Voltage Sampling Range | 50V-1650V |
| Total Voltage Sampling Accuracy | ±0.3% FSR |
| Current Sampling Range | Within 300A by shunt / above 300A by Hall sensor |
| Current Sampling Accuracy | 0.5% |
| Current Sampling Period | 20ms |
| Temperature Sampling Range | -40°C to 125°C |
| Temperature Sampling Accuracy | ±2°C |
| Temperature Sampling Period | 200ms |
| Temperature Sampling Channels | 5 |
| Insulation Detection | >1MΩ/kV |
| SOC Estimation Accuracy | ≤5% |
| Communication | RS485 / CAN isolated communication |
Protection Strategy
The project uses BMU-level battery monitoring and BCU-level system control to manage operating risks.
The BMU supports:
- Single-cell voltage detection
- Static voltage sampling accuracy of ±0.2% FS
- Up to 5 NTC temperature sampling channels
- Passive balancing up to 200mA
- CAN isolated communication
- Software upgrade and automatic coding
- Fan control and PWM speed regulation
- Watchdog function
- Cell and NTC fault detection
- Support for 1500V voltage platform requirements
The BCU supports:
- Overcharge protection
- Over-discharge protection
- Over-current protection
- Over-temperature protection
- Low-temperature protection
- Multi-level alarm mechanism
- Battery status and data storage
- RS485 and CAN isolated communication
- External relay expansion for C&I ESS and UPS applications
This protection architecture helps the system operate more safely and gives project engineers clearer data for commissioning, operation and maintenance.
Why a High-Voltage Rack ESS Was Suitable for This UK Project
The system was selected because a high-voltage rack design gives the project a practical combination of energy capacity, modularity and technical control.
Compared with low-voltage battery banks, a high-voltage system can reduce current under the same power level, which helps improve system integration for commercial storage applications when paired with suitable PCS equipment. Compared with a single sealed cabinet, a rack system provides clearer module structure and easier service planning.
Suitable Applications
The system can be used in projects where high-voltage battery storage, modular rack deployment and external PCS/EMS integration are required.
Typical applications include:
- Commercial backup power
- Industrial energy storage
- Solar + storage projects
- Peak shaving
- Load shifting
- UPS-related energy storage
- Factory power support
- Microgrid battery systems
- Energy management system integration
- Project-based ESS customization
Why Choose Avepower for High-Voltage ESS Projects?
Avepower can support high-voltage energy storage projects from system configuration to battery pack supply, BMS/BCU matching, cabinet layout and technical documentation.
For high-voltage ESS projects, customers need more than battery capacity. They need a supplier that understands voltage platform design, pack configuration, BMS protection, communication protocols, cabinet structure, installation planning and long-term service requirements.
Avepower supports:
- High-voltage LFP battery system configuration
- Rack-mounted battery pack design
- BMS, BMU and BCU matching
- CAN / RS485 communication support
- Cabinet layout planning
- Project-based voltage and capacity customization
- Technical documentation support
- OEM/ODM cooperation for energy storage brands
- Support for commercial, industrial, UPS and solar storage projects
“Avepower provided strong technical support throughout this high-voltage energy storage project. The 321.5kWh rack-based system was clearly configured, well documented, and suitable for our UK commercial energy storage requirements.”
— James Whitaker, Project Manager, UK Energy Storage Partner
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