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A technician maintains a battery energy storage system.

Designing Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are enabling the transition to more resilient energy networks across utility, commercial and residential markets. Engineers face the challenge of delivering compact, high-density solutions that maintain power integrity, thermal stability and long-term reliability. Molex meets these requirements with high-voltage interconnects, flexible busbars and secure, sealed connectors engineered for safe, scalable BESS deployment.

Advanced Connectivity Solutions for BESS


Energy storage systems are subject to demanding design constraints, from safety concerns around thermal and electrical stress to reliability requirements for utility-scale and residential installations. Electrical design engineers must navigate risks such as thermal runaway, electrical faults and compliance with evolving global standards. At the same time, design teams are under pressure to maintain compact system footprints, minimize energy loss, and simplify installation and maintenance across a range of deployment environments.

The BESS designs of tomorrow incorporate high-performance components that promote thermal stability, reduce voltage drop and maintain strong mechanical and electrical connections. This includes the use of high-temperature materials, spring termination technologies and laminated busbars to enhance energy flow and minimize resistance. Compact, locking interconnects are critical for residential and commercial systems, where space efficiency must be achieved without sacrificing safety or power density. Additionally, tool-free, maintenance-free components are employed to streamline installation and reduce long-term system costs.

Molex helps engineers achieve these design goals with a wide range of hardware solutions for BESS applications, including high-temperature-rated connectors, enhanced contact protection features and globally certified components for improved safety and compliance. Laminated busbars, spring termination technologies and high-power cable assemblies aid in optimizing energy transfer and system uptime. For space-constrained installations, Molex offers miniaturized, high-current interconnects and solderless designs that simplify integration and maintenance, enabling engineers to deliver reliable, efficient and future-ready energy storage systems.

Safety and Reliability in Energy Storage


Meeting Stringent BESS Safety Standards

Adapting to evolving safety regulations is critical to the success of energy storage products in both residential and utility-scale sectors. Molex helps minimize risks of thermal runaway and electrical faults with its high-temperature-rated connectors, enhanced contact protection and globally certified components.

Grid with renewable energy sources.

Delivering Consistent Performance in Demanding Environments

Battery energy storage systems must operate reliably across extreme temperatures and diverse environmental conditions to avoid performance degradation and premature failure. Molex delivers rugged, high-power connectors and cable assemblies with advanced contact protection to ensure consistent, fault-resistant operation in harsh environments.

Residential energy storage systems.

Enabling Peak BESS Performance


Reliable Power Delivery Under High Demand

Consistent power delivery during peak demand is essential to maintain system efficiency and prevent voltage drop in energy-dense applications. Molex offers two advanced interconnect solutions tailored for BESS applications. EXTreme Power Connectors deliver up to 160A current density with exceptional thermal performance and modular scalability for rack-based systems. SideWize High-Voltage Connectors feature a compact, right-angle form factor with 360° post-mate rotation, IP67 environmental sealing and color-coded positive-lock engagement—supporting safe, flexible and space-efficient power connectivity.

Molex EXTreme Power and SideWize High-Voltage Connectors.

Reduce Voltage Drop Across Critical Connections

Minimizing voltage drop helps maintain energy efficiency and stabilize power distribution in high-performance BESS applications. PowerPlane Busbar Connectors and laminated busbars feature silver plating, multiple contact points and high current capacity to support reliable, low-resistance connections and improve overall system performance.

Molex PowerPlane Busbar Connectors.

Compact and Scalable Solutions for Energy Storage


Achieve High Performance in a Smaller Footprint

Space limitations in residential and commercial BESS applications demand compact designs that maintain full system performance. SW1 High-Current Interconnects combine low-resistance COEUR socket technology with secure, customizable form factors to help engineers build space-efficient, reliable systems that are easy to install and integrate.

Garage with battery storage and EV charging.

Design Systems for Future Expansion

To keep up with growing energy demands, BESS must be engineered for long-term scalability with components that perform reliably across changing conditions. Molex supports future-ready system design with high-reliability connectors, cable assemblies and busbars refined through digital twin modeling, and AI-driven simulation for enhanced performance and scalability.

Engineers discussing simulation design.

Streamline Layouts for Maximum Efficiency

As BESS designs grow more complex, engineers look to optimize PCB layouts for space, stability and performance in harsh conditions. DuraClik wire-to-board connectors offer compact, high-retention solutions with robust resistance to vibration and heat, enabling reliable, space-efficient designs that support long-term scalability.

Molex DuraClik Connectors

Seamless Integration and Maintenance


Quick and Reliable Installations

Accelerating installation and reducing assembly errors are critical objectives for utility-scale BESS deployments. Molex offers solderless connectivity and clear guidelines to streamline integration, improve system uptime and support scalable power distribution.

Battery storage containers with windmills, solar panels and trees.

Cut Maintenance Costs

High maintenance demands can drive up the total cost of BESS ownership, especially in harsh or remote environments. Squba panel-mount connectors feature IP68 sealing, rugged construction and compact design to ensure long-lasting performance and reduce service needs over the system lifecycle.

Molex Squba Connectors in multiple colors.

Building Systems for Long-Term Performance

BESS components must endure years of mechanical stress, thermal cycling and environmental exposure without performance degradation. The MX150L Industrial Sealed Connector System combines IP67-rated sealing, high-temperature resistance and a pre-assembled mat-seal design to ensure dependable performance and long-term durability in harsh conditions.

Molex MX150L Connectors