Frequently asked
Questions

What size battery systems do you have?

We have a core range of mobile battery energy storage systems ranging in size from 60kVA / 125kWh up to 300kW / 600kWh. These are fully self-contained systems that are designed for commercial and industrial use (not residential) and that can be moved across locations and projects. As a hire company, we are often add new products to our fleet so for the most up-to-date information on our range, please get in touch.

What kind of equipment can your battery systems power?

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 smaller loads like site sheds and event set-ups. Our battery systems can also support highly reactive loads and provide clean, reliable power to sensitive electrical equipment.

Do you manufacture your own battery systems?

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

Are your systems available in my country?

Powershift currently distribute mobile battery energy storage systems across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. For the POWRBANK MAX product, we are the sole, exclusive distributor across these regions. If you are interested in our systems but are outside of these locations, please get in touch.

Do you hire or sell your systems?

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.

How much do your battery systems cost?

Total cost of your solution depends on a number of factors including the size of the system, its application and the equipment you’re wanting to power. Please contact us for a free consultation. Our team can provide an analysis to help determine if our solution is right for you and a cost comparison to other solutions.

Do I need special cables to connect your batteries to input and output power?

In general, our systems have standard Powerlock and/or CEE-form connectors similar to those on a diesel generator. If your set-up is complex and has multiple inputs and outputs, we can also accommodate this. For a full list of the input and output connectors on each of our battery systems, please download the Product Spec sheets on their respective product pages or get in touch to discuss further with our team.

How do I charge your battery systems?

Most of our systems is 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 inside the systems enables us to program autonomously which inputs you may want to charge from as priority and then automatically switch to a secondary source.

Why would I charge from a generator? Aren’t you trying to eliminate generators?

The most optimal solution both financially and environmentally is when we can connect into a small feed from the grid or a renewable source like solar, which can eliminate 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 purely to charge up the battery, which it can do very efficiently and then it 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.

How long do your battery systems take to install?

Mobile battery energy storage systems are designed for flexibility and fast deployment. Installation is usually a quite simple process that involves delivery of the unit on-location, connecting cables, making sure everything is functioning correctly through some basic testing, and running through some simple operator training. This can usually be completed in a couple of hours, depending on how complex your set-up is.

What kind of batteries do you use and how long do they last?

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 at an average of 2 cycles of charge-discharge per day for between 5,000 and 10,000 cycles, or 7-10 years, depending on the system. The batteries last well beyond this and will still have approximately 80% capacity left in them after their warranted cycle count.

Can your system charge and discharge at the same time?

Yes! This means you can be charging up the battery at the same time as continuing to power your load, so there’s no downtime or wait times between charging.

How safe are your battery systems?

Safety is something we prioritise heavily at Powershift. All of the units in our fleet are high-quality, highly certified units with industry leading fire and electrical safety systems. For more specific information, please contact us.

What maintenance do your battery systems need?

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, and anything we might need you to do during your hire period is super simple, like cleaning out filters, which we will notify you of in advance. Our systems also all have cloud-based monitoring so we can see what’s happening on the unit remotely and flag and/or resolve any potential issues we may see before they affect the operation of your unit.

How do you transport your battery systems?

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

What kind of support do you offer under your hire model?

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

How do I know if your solution is right for me?

The best way to find out is to get in touch with our team for a free consultation! We will talk through your needs with you and determine if 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 will cover how the battery system will support your power needs, along with costs, benefits, terms and conditions before moving forward.