2026 Event Schedule

As the energy sector rapidly advances toward decarbonization, long-duration energy storage (LDES) systems are becoming essential for ensuring grid reliability, enabling renewable integration, and enhancing overall energy resilience. However, despite growing interest and investment, the transition from innovation to large-scale deployment is hindered by a lack of standardized, scalable, and technology-agnostic testing and validation frameworks.

This panel will bring together experts from utilities, industry consultant and storage technology manufacturers to explore the evolving landscape of long-duration battery energy storage system (BESS) technology advancement and testing. Through diverse stakeholder perspectives, the discussion will address key technical and operational challenges, including gaps in current testing standards, the role of independent versus BMS-integrated monitoring systems, and the need for portable, field-deployable testing solutions.

The panel will also examine how policy and incentive mechanisms—such as the California Energy Commission (CEC) programs, and other federal/state-level initiatives—are influencing utility procurement strategies and accelerating deployment timelines. These incentives are not only reshaping investment priorities but also emphasizing the need for credible, data-driven testing approaches to support long-term battery health analytics and system validation.

Panelists will discuss:

Current gaps in LDES testing standards and field validation methods
Integration of independent and onboard (BMS) monitoring for performance tracking
Long-term data analytics for battery health and performance optimization
How policy frameworks and incentives are driving LDES adoption 
By fostering dialogue among key players, this session aims to identify collaborative strategies for advancing safe, reliable, and effective LDES deployment across a wide range of grid applications. The panel will highlight how aligning innovation, operational best practices, and policy can accelerate the transition from pilot projects to wide-scale, real-world implementation.