Rand Simulation Leverages CFD Analysis to Identify and Eliminate Risks in Battery Energy Storage Systems

Since the inception of the BESS industry, energy companies have relied on Rand Simulation’s advanced CFD analysis to identify and mitigate thermal risks before equipment is shipped or installed – helping maintain project timelines, extend equipment lifespan, and prevent costly setbacks. By modeling, testing, and optimizing site-specific BESS layouts, Rand Simulation has helped customers avoid retroactive fixes that would have cost companies between $2 and $25 million. The team also works directly with leading component manufacturers, providing critical insights into container thermal behavior so OEMs can confidently deliver energy storage solutions with proven efficiencies.

“Thermal management is crucial for BESS success but is often overlooked because government standards do not exist for evaluating how multiple battery storage enclosures interact once installed together onsite,” says Chris Smith, consulting team manager and energy storage expert at Rand Simulation. “Assumptions based on a single container fail to account for how exhausted heat from that one unit can affect adjacent systems. Relying on estimates alone cannot predict the risk of efficiency losses below contractual specifications, which can lead to significant financial penalties.”

Energy grid instability and the increased demand for energy to support computing intensive technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT), have resulted in the rapid expansion of the Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) market.

Benefits of Rand Simulation’s comprehensive approach include:

• Early-stage risk identification – Ensures equipment meets operational demands before purchase and installation.
• Comprehensive thermal assessments – Identifies thermal issues, root-causes and corresponding solutions that otherwise would reduce efficiency, limit available capacity for grid supply, and therefore impact site profitability.
• Flexible, end-to-end support – Provides expert guidance at any project stage, from supplier selection and site planning to post-installation troubleshooting.

World-Class Reporting

As an Ansys Elite Partner, and leader in advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) consulting, Rand Simulation provides site owners and battery storage manufacturers with expert guidance to identify and mitigate thermal risks in these environments via a comprehensive BESS Site Analysis report, that offers critical performance data and actionable solutions. Featuring in-depth visualizations, temperature mapping, and predictive modeling to illustrate real-world BESS performance and the impact of potential remediation measures, project managers can proactively address thermal challenges and optimize site performance from day one. Download a sample Rand Simulation CFD Report.

Dedicated Rand Simulation experts are advancing the industry by hosting a series of industry webcasts and speaking at events including the SDSIC Spring Event in Chattanooga, Tennessee, April 28 – May 1, 2025. At the SDSIC event, Chris Smith will lead a session titled “Managing Risk in BESS Sites with Simulation” which discusses how energy sites are at risk for overheating due to their large thermal dissipation on hot days when they are most critical for grid stability. He will show how simulation can identify and minimize this risk.

Rand SIM Webinar Series: Simulation’s Impact on Grid Modernization

• Webinar 1: Leveraging Simulation for BESS & Data Center Site Optimization. View on demand content here.
• Webinar 2 (May 8, 2025, 1 PM EST): How Simulation Simplifies the Design of Electrical Enclosures. Register here.
• Webinar 3 (September 9, 2025, 1 PM EST): Rand Simulation’s Holistic Energy Infrastructure Design Approach. Register here.
• Webinar 4 (November 6, 2025, 1:00 PM EST): Decarbonization & Alternate Energy Storage Systems. Register here.

To learn more, call 888-483-0674 or email [email protected]. For insightful content, visit the website or subscribe to the Rand Simulation Insider Newsletter to receive monthly engineering simulation insights.