2026 Conference Sessions

BESS Performance Verification Challenges: A Call for Standardized Testing

January 21, 2026

11:30 AM - 12:15 PM

304A

Energy Storage Deployments

Battery storage systems are being deployed at record pace to support renewable integration and grid reliability, yet the industry still lacks standardized test codes to verify performance. Today, most projects rely on supplier-specific protocols, creating inconsistencies that complicate risk assessment, investment decisions and long-term reliability.

This session presents findings from more than 20 utility-scale projects, analyzing the performance guarantees typically offered and comparing supplier testing approaches with established guidelines such as IEC 62933, EPRI ESIC and DOE PNNL-22010. The discussion will also spotlight overlooked factors--like efficiency losses, auxiliary power, and degradation rates--that can materially impact system value. Utilities and project developers will gain a clearer picture of why standardized frameworks are essential to de-risk storage investments and build confidence in BESS performance.

Chairperson

Jay Dauenhauer, Host - Energy Cast Podcast

Speakers

Cecil Lawrence, Director - Black & Veatch

Session Presentation

POWERGEN has been really helpful in identifying the industry scale of what’s going on behind the scenes, and how that affects each and every one of us across different divisions, levels, and inputs in the industry itself [...] That’s something not everybody gets to experience at other conferences.

Sarah White

Associate Electric Co-op, Inc.

The most valuable part of POWERGEN is networking with peers, walking the exhibit floor, and seeing all the activity and energy across the industry. For me, the level of engagement is a strong indication that the future of this industry is in a good place, and I’m excited to be representing this event.

Raj Katamreddy

Vistra

I love the networking. Everyone who’s part of POWERGEN is here, and it’s great to collaborate, meet new vendors in the market, see who’s doing what, and learn about the projects that are happening. It’s a great place for intel.

Sarah Hoelzen

The Williams Companies, Inc

POWERGEN is really important to us. It's an ideal opportunity to come meet existing customers and partners, meet new customers and partners, and showcase the new products that we bring to market.

Sarah Nicholls

STAMFORD | AVK

POWERGEN gives us the opportunity to meet prospective engineering firms, EPCs, and customers, and to share insight into our capabilities in manufacturing centrifugal pumps and supporting the nuclear industry.

Santosh KulkarnI

ANDRITZ

POWERGEN allows us to connect with all of our peers and it brings in folks that are maybe not quite familiar with everything in power, and they get to come to one place and see it all in one place and make new connections.

Sammy Haggar

Wildcat Power Gen