As battery storage becomes a bigger part of how electricity is managed, the technology behind it is becoming increasingly important to understand. The BESS Live Showcase at ENGINEER and MARVEX 2026 makes that technology real, taking visitors inside a working system to see how batteries, power conversion, controls, safety systems and grid connection come together and why each component matters.
This year’s showcase introduces dedicated indoor and outdoor BESS zones, reflecting the different ways batteries are being deployed across residential, commercial and industrial, and utility-scale applications. Visitors can follow the energy pathway from the battery modules through the power conversion system (PCS), transformer and protection equipment to connection with the grid.
That ability to see the complete system is what gives the showcase its practical value.
“When someone comes here, they can actually see the full spectrum of a BESS, and this helps them understand how to connect this into their factory. That’s why it’s called a live showcase,” Ir. Alex Looi, BESS Chief Consultant explained.
The live showcase also reflects how the role of BESS is widening. Smaller commercial and industrial systems can support energy management and reduce maximum-demand costs, while utility-scale batteries, mostly used by Large Scale Solar (LSS), have a different function, helping stabilise the grid as more intermittent renewable generation comes online.
“Solar is an intermittent power supply. Even if you do not have sunlight, the battery can pump in the power immediately,” he said, explaining the role storage can play in balancing fluctuations in renewable generation.
Safety is another major focus this year. The showcase allows visitors to compare outdoor and indoor configurations and understand how their fire-protection requirements differ, including compartment-level protection for battery cabinets and clean-agent systems for indoor installations.
By presenting BESS as a working system rather than a collection of components, ENGINEER and MARVEX gives engineers, facility owners and industry professionals a clearer view of what energy storage actually requires, from conversion and controls to grid integration and safety.
As storage assumes a larger role in renewable integration and energy management, that hands-on understanding is increasingly important. The BESS Live Showcase brings the technology onto the exhibition floor, allowing the industry to see how the pieces connect before putting them to work in real-world projects.