Controls Engineer - BESS Commissioning

Job Title: Controls Engineer - BESS Commissioning
Project: Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
Contract: Contract / Freelance
Location: Site-based, UK
Start: ASAP / Immediate
Duration: TBC, with potential extension
Working Pattern: Site-based, with commissioning and testing periods potentially requiring extended hours

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Controls Engineer to support the commissioning, testing and integration of a large-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project.

The successful candidate will be responsible for commissioning and troubleshooting the control systems associated with the BESS, including PLC/RTU systems, SCADA, EMS/PMS, BMS interfaces, PCS/inverters and plant-level controls.

The role will involve working closely with the commissioning, electrical, SCADA, protection and OEM teams to ensure the complete BESS control architecture is correctly configured, integrated, tested and handed over to the client.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support controls commissioning activities for the BESS project from pre-commissioning through to energisation, functional testing and handover.
• Commission and troubleshoot PLC, RTU, SCADA, EMS/PMS and plant control systems.
• Configure and test control logic, sequences, interlocks, permissives, alarms and trips.
• Verify communications and data exchange between:
  • BESS PLC/RTU
  • SCADA
  • Energy Management System (EMS)
  • Power Management System (PMS)
  • Battery Management System (BMS)
  • Power Conversion System (PCS)
  • Inverters
  • HV/LV equipment
  • Protection and metering systems
• Carry out I/O checks, loop checks and point-to-point testing.
• Support FAT/SAT activities and review test documentation.
• Perform functional testing of BESS operating modes, including charging, discharging, standby, grid support and emergency shutdown functions.
• Test and validate remote/local control functionality.
• Support testing of active power, reactive power, voltage and frequency control functions.
• Verify grid-code related control functions, where applicable.
• Investigate and resolve PLC, RTU, SCADA and communications faults during commissioning.
• Test and validate alarms, events, status indications and control commands within the SCADA system.
• Support Modbus TCP/IP, IEC 61850, IEC 60870-5-104, OPC UA/DA or other industrial communications as required by the project.
• Review PLC/RTU logic, control narratives, functional design specifications and cause-and-effect documentation.
• Assist with integration between the BESS and DNO/TSO/utility control systems.
• Support testing of emergency stop, safety interlocks and shutdown sequences.
• Work with OEMs and subcontractors to diagnose and resolve commissioning issues.
• Record test results, punch-list items, defects and corrective actions.
• Produce and review commissioning documentation, test sheets and handover documentation.
• Support final performance testing and successful handover to operations.

Technical Experience Required

The ideal candidate will have strong experience in industrial controls commissioning, preferably within the energy, power generation, renewable energy or BESS sectors.

Experience with some or all of the following is desirable:

• BESS control systems
• PLCs and RTUs
• SCADA systems
• EMS / PMS
• BMS and PCS interfaces
• Battery energy storage systems
• Power conversion systems / inverters
• HV/LV electrical systems
• Industrial communications
• Modbus TCP/IP
• IEC 61850
• IEC 60870-5-104
• OPC UA / OPC DA
• Ethernet/IP
• Profinet
• TCP/IP networking
• Remote Terminal Units (RTUs)
• PLC programming and fault finding
• HMI/SCADA configuration
• Alarm and event management
• Control panels and instrumentation
• Electrical protection interfaces
• Metering systems
• Grid connection/control systems

Commissioning Experience

Candidates should have demonstrable experience with:

• Pre-commissioning inspections
• I/O and point-to-point testing
• Loop checks
• Cold commissioning
• Hot commissioning
• Energisation support
• Functional testing
• SAT
• Integrated systems testing
• Troubleshooting
• Control system modifications
• Site acceptance testing
• Performance testing
• Defect/punch-list management
• System handover

BESS-Specific Testing

Particular emphasis will be placed on experience testing the interaction between the various BESS control layers.

The engineer may be required to verify:

BMS → PCS → PLC/RTU → EMS/PMS → SCADA → Grid/DNO

including:

• State of Charge (SoC)
• State of Health (SoH)
• Charge/discharge commands
• Active power setpoints
• Reactive power setpoints
• Voltage control
• Frequency control
• Ramp rates
• Import/export limits
• Battery limits
• PCS operating modes
• Grid connection status
• Fault conditions
• Emergency shutdown
• Interlocks and permissives
• Alarm and trip functionality
• Remote control commands
• Communications failure behaviour
• Loss-of-grid conditions

Qualifications & Certifications

• Degree/HNC/HND or equivalent qualification in Electrical Engineering, Control Systems, Automation or a related discipline.
• Demonstrable commissioning experience within an industrial or energy environment.
• Strong understanding of electrical and control systems.
• Relevant electrical/control systems safety qualifications.
• CSCS/ECS or equivalent site certification desirable.
• 18th Edition desirable depending on project requirements.
• Experience working under RAMS, permit-to-work and site commissioning procedures.

Desirable Sector Experience

Experience on projects involving:

• Battery Energy Storage Systems
• Solar PV
• Wind
• Substations
• Grid connections
• Power generation
• HV infrastructure
• Renewable energy
• Data centres
• Industrial automation
• Power plants
• Utilities

ersg are an equal opportunities employer; we are committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all job applicants. We do not discriminate against applicants on the basis of age, sex, race, disability, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or religious background; all decisions are based on merit.