Frequently asked
Questions

We have a core range of mobile battery energy storage systems, ranging in size from 30kVA/75kWhto 300kW/600kWh, with some built more for peaks and others more for capacity. These are fully self-contained systems designed for commercial and industrial use (not residential) and can be moved between locations and projects. As a hire company, we often add new products to our fleet, so for the most up-to-date information on our range, please get in touch.

Our mobile battery energy storage systems can power a wide range and size of commercial and industrial electrical loads, including plant, equipment, and facility infrastructure. This includes large intermittent loads such as cranes, hoists, and presses, as well as more consistent loads such as site sheds and general site power. Our battery systems can also support highly reactive loads and provide clean, reliable power to sensitive electrical equipment.

We partner with world-class manufacturers to bring the highest-quality products to our customers and deliver them to you through a fully supported hire service model. Our current systems are designed by OEMs based in the US, Europe, Hong Kong and New Zealand, with some assembly and testing completed in Australia.

Powershift currently distribute mobile battery energy storage systems across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. If you are interested in our systems but are outside of these locations, please get in touch.

Our systems are available for hire, with full service and support offered through your hire term. For some unique cases, we are happy to explore alternative arrangements. Please get in touch for more information.

The total cost of your solution depends on several factors, including the size of the system, its application, and the equipment you want to power. Please contact us for a free consultation. Our team can provide a commitment-free analysis to help determine if our solution is right for you and a cost comparison to other solutions.

Our systems have a mix of options including some with direct busbar connections, and others with Powerlock and/or CEE-form connectors similar to those on a diesel generator. If your setup is complex, with multiple inputs and outputs, we can accommodate that as well. For a full list of input and output connectors for each of our battery systems, please download the Product Spec sheets on their respective product pages or get in touch with our team to discuss further.

Most of our systems are designed to accept power from a variety of energy sources, including solar, the grid, a generator, or a combination of these input sources. The software in the systems enables us to program autonomously, input the charges you want to prioritise, and then automatically switch to a secondary source. If you’re unsure whether the product you’re interested in support your power source, get in touch with our team to discuss further.

The optimal solution, both financially and environmentally, is to connect to a small feed from the grid or a renewable source such as solar, eliminating the need for fuel-based solutions like diesel generators. Sometimes this isn’t possible – maybe your site is remote or in an area where there’s no access to grid supply, or there’s no space for portable or rooftop solar to be installed. In these scenarios, a diesel generator is used solely to charge the battery, which it does very efficiently, and then switches off automatically, still allowing for significant savings in fuel and emissions. Visit our Learning tab to read more about how this works or get in touch.

Mobile battery energy storage systems are designed for flexibility and fast deployment. Installation is usually a quite simple process that involves delivering the unit to the location, connecting cables, ensuring everything is functioning correctly through basic testing, and running through simple operator training. This can usually be completed in a couple of hours, depending on the complexity of your setup.

The batteries in our systems are all Lithium-Ion based. Some are Lithium-Iron-Phosphate (LFP), and some are Lithium-Ion Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt (NMC). The battery cells are warranted to run an average of 2 charge-discharge cycles per day for 5,000-10,000 cycles, or 7-10 years, depending on the system. The batteries last well beyond this and will still have approximately 80% capacity after their warranted cycle count.

Yes! This means you can charge the battery while keeping your load powered, so there’s no downtime or wait time between charges.

Safety is a top priority at Powershift. All of the units in our fleet are high-quality, highly certified, and equipped with industry-leading fire and electrical safety systems. For more specific information or a list of certifications, please contact us.

Unlike diesel generators, battery systems have very few moving parts, therefore very low maintenance requirements by comparison. The great news is, we maintain and service the units for you under our fully supported hire service model. Our systems also use cloud-based monitoring, so we can see what’s happening on the unit remotely and flag and/or resolve any potential issues before they affect the operation of your unit.

Mobile battery energy storage systems are designed to be moved and can be transported to and from your location on an appropriately rated vehicle, in accordance with local regulations. For larger 10ft containerised systems, a mobile crane or franna is required to move it on and off the transport vehicle, whereas smaller systems can be mobilised with a trailer and forklift. Please check the relevant Product Spec sheets for weights and dimensions, or get in touch with our team to discuss further.

We offer a fully supported hire service model, which includes up-front analysis of your needs, system setup for your requirements, delivery to site, on-site commissioning/decommissioning, user training, 24/7 remote monitoring and support, and maintenance and servicing.

The best way to find out is to get in touch with our team for a free consultation! We will talk through your needs and determine whether our solution is right for you up-front. If it looks like we’re a good fit, we will provide you with a proposal that outlines how the battery system will support your power needs, along with costs, benefits, terms, and conditions, before moving forward.

Runtime depends on your load profile, peak demand, and the size of your charging source. Our team conducts an upfront load analysis to determine expected runtime and optimal configuration, so we can provide the expected outcome to you as part of the initial engagement with us.

Yes! Many of our customers already have diesel generators on site and want to optimise their use. Our battery systems can work alongside existing generators to reduce fuel consumption, extend generator life, minimise noise, and run smaller or ancillary loads efficiently. This hybrid approach allows you to maximise uptime while cutting operating costs and emissions.