Intro:
When it comes to managing battery energy storage systems (BESS), one of the most critical metrics is State of Health, or SoH. But what exactly does SoH mean — and why is it so important?
At Walegaset, we treat SoH like a vital sign. Just as a doctor checks your heart rate or blood pressure, our monitoring platform keeps a constant eye on the ‘health’ of your batteries to ensure they’re performing, safe, and financially viable.
What Is SoH?
SoH (State of Health) is a measure of how well a battery performs compared to when it was new. It’s usually expressed as a percentage:
- 100% SoH = Battery is brand new, with full capacity and power output
- 80% SoH = Battery has degraded, losing 20% of its original capacity
Most warranties assume batteries will degrade gradually over time. But if SoH drops too fast, too early, or below thresholds, it becomes a serious risk to your asset value and operations.
Why It Matters More Than You Think
Many operators monitor voltage, current, or cycle counts, but skip over SoH. This is dangerous. Here’s what poor SoH visibility can lead to:
- Warranty violations
- Thermal risks from failing cells
- Revenue loss from reduced capacity
- Premature system failure
And worst of all: you might not even know it’s happening — until it’s too late.
What Affects SoH?
Understanding SoH isn’t just about tracking a number — it’s about knowing what impacts it. At Walegaset, we’ve identified key drivers:
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Charge/discharge rate | Fast cycling = faster degradation |
| Ambient temperature | Heat accelerates chemical breakdown |
| Depth of Discharge (DoD) | Deep discharges reduce lifespan |
| Rest time and calendar aging | Batteries degrade even when idle |
| Cell imbalance | Leads to strain and reduced usable energy |
How Walegaset Tracks SoH
Unlike standard EMS dashboards, Walegaset drills down to the cell level to assess and track SoH accurately over time. Our system:
- Continuously collects detailed telemetry data
- Tracks degradation patterns site-by-site and cell-by-cell
- Provides automated SoH trend reporting
- Sends alerts for abnormal drop-offs or hotspots
- Helps benchmark performance across suppliers or chemistries
What You Can Do With SoH Insights
By monitoring and acting on SoH data, you can:
- Maximize battery lifespan through smarter usage strategies
- Plan preventative maintenance before failures occur
- Ensure warranty compliance with reporting to back it up
- Protect your financial return from unexpected downtime or capacity loss
- Optimize dispatch for performance vs longevity balance
Real-World Impact
“After integrating SoH tracking with Walegaset, we discovered one site was degrading 2x faster than others due to high ambient temps. We adjusted cooling and saved thousands in avoided loss.” – Walegaset Client
Battery Health = Business Health
If you’re not tracking SoH, you’re operating in the dark. At Walegaset, we believe every battery deserves full transparency, and every operator deserves real control.