SOCOMEC displayed its SMARTSYS M5000 series SKID-based turnkey BESS system at Intersolar Europe 2026
This 5MWh BESS is designed to deliver up to 2.5 MW of 3-phase power for up to 2 hours
This capacity can be expanded to a 5 MW/20 MWh system
A commercial & industrial (C&I) energy storage system (ESS) combines an inverter, battery storage, and a power conversion system (PCS) within a single enclosure and can be easily connected behind a consumer’s meter. In contrast, a front-of-the-meter utility battery energy storage system (BESS) must be integrated with an external PCS, a medium-voltage (MV) transformer, and associated switchgear.
SOCOMEC, a BESS maker, presented its latest turnkey system, SMARTSYS M5000, at Intersolar Europe 2026. The company claims that this BESS eliminates the costly, lengthy on-site installation and commissioning process. Etienne Cottrant, the company's Product Marketing Manager, detailed the product to the TaiyangNews team during a booth visit.
It combines a containerized BESS and a SKID with a self-contained MV transformer, PCS, control unit, and switchgear mounted on a steel frame. The storage is equipped with 314 Ah cell-based battery packs and offers a rated DC busbar voltage range of 1,164 to 1,476 V, with a cumulative storage capacity of 5 MWh. This capacity can be charged or discharged with corresponding 2.5 MW 3-phase power at 690 V via the bidirectional 2.5 MW PCS. Afterward, this power is transmitted to a 36 kV MV grid through the transformer, supporting ancillary services or integrating flexible renewable energy into the grid.
These real-time complex operations are monitored and controlled by a Made-in-France control unit with built-in cybersecurity functions, Cottrant noted.
The containerized BESS (without SKID) can be installed without any on-site wiring, while the SKID is delivered pre-assembled, pre-wired, and factory-tested. These advantages help installers or developers by reducing procurement and engineering complexity with limited on-site work. For broader projects, this 2.5 MW/5 MWh BESS can be expanded to a 5 MW/20 MWh system by integrating 4 BESSs (each of 5 MWh) behind the MV transformer (690 V/36 kV).
On the safety side, the battery packs are cooled with circulating liquid coolant. The containers are built with a heat-resistant metal enclosure, and their modular architecture restricts flame propagation during a fire. They are also equipped with a range of sensors, such as smoke, temperature, and gas, to detect early fire ignition due to battery thermal runaway. This is followed by the spreading of aerosol to suppress fire. On top of that, the BESS can vent smoke and release built-up pressure via a forced ventilation system. In extreme scenarios due to the failure of these safety barriers, their deflagration vents prevent the container’s structural deformation and ensure the safety of nearby personnel and storage units.
Regarding performance and after-sales services, the system integrates its digital energy management platform, SoLive PRO BESS, for real-time monitoring, control, and analysis of battery data. According to Cottrant, the company offers this AI-assisted platform with the BESS for up to 5 years at no cost. Users can visualize the real-time running status, analyze accumulated battery data, and predict an optimized operational schedule (charging/discharging) for efficient system operation. Cottrant claimed that this embedded intelligent system can optimize its storage capacity by up to 10% throughout its lifetime. This could represent up to €230,000 per MW. The company can deliver after-sales support calls through its European team.
