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The mechanical engineering company in Brendola, Italy, added the LONGi OmniCube A215 battery energy storage system to increase self-consumption, reduce low-value grid exports and improve the economic performance of its photovoltaic investment.
Lavorazioni Meccaniche Balbo Srl, a mechanical engineering manufacturer in Brendola, northern Italy, operates energy-intensive production equipment with a high daily electricity demand. The company invested in rooftop photovoltaics several years ago, supported by the region's strong solar irradiation.
When the system was installed, exporting surplus electricity to the grid provided an attractive additional revenue stream. But as feed-in remuneration declined, exporting surplus electricity became less profitable. Power generated during weekends, when production was largely suspended, could no longer be monetised as effectively. The challenge then was to make better use of the electricity already available.
Intelligent energy management matches solar generation with electricity demand
To maximise the value of its existing photovoltaic installation, Lavorazioni Meccaniche Balbo deployed three LONGi OmniCube A215 commercial and industrial battery energy storage systems with a combined storage capacity of 645 kWh. The project was completed in June 2026.
Like many commercial and industrial photovoltaic systems across Europe, the company's installation was originally designed when exporting surplus electricity generated predictable revenues. Today, the financial performance of these systems increasingly depends on self-consumption. This is particularly relevant for manufacturers whose electricity demand does not always match solar generation. Facilities with weekday production schedules or varying load profiles often generate more electricity than they can consume immediately.
Battery storage and intelligent energy management close this gap by storing surplus solar electricity and automatically making it available when production resumes or demand increases. More of the renewable electricity generated on site can be consumed within the facility instead of being exported at comparatively low value. At the same time, the system supports peak shaving by reducing peak electricity demand from the grid, helping optimise energy management, reduce electricity costs and improve the long-term economic performance of the company's renewable energy investment.
LONGi ONE combines intelligent energy management with predictive safety
The OmniCube A215 deployed at Lavorazioni Meccaniche Balbo is part of LONGi ONE, LONGi's integrated commercial and industrial energy storage portfolio. The portfolio brings together battery storage, intelligent energy management and advanced safety technologies to help businesses maximise self-consumption, optimise electricity costs and improve operational resilience.
A key differentiator is LONGi's proprietary Intelligent Cell Control System (iCCS). Unlike conventional battery management systems that primarily monitor battery packs, iCCS uses AI-supported analytics to continuously assess the condition of individual battery cells. The system can detect anomalies months before they develop into a critical safety event, giving operators significantly more time to plan maintenance, minimise operational risk and maximise system availability.
The technology has been independently certified by TÜV and is capable of issuing early warnings well before conventional protection mechanisms, such as pressure relief valve activation, are triggered. The result is a predictive safety concept that identifies potential battery issues before they affect system operation.
The OmniCube A215 is one solution within the broader LONGi ONE portfolio. Building on this approach, LONGi recently introduced Hi-MO One Pro, an integrated commercial and industrial energy storage platform designed for applications including self-consumption, peak shaving, backup power and microgrids.
The development of LONGi ONE marks LONGi's entry into the energy storage market. It has been shaped by the next stage of the energy transition, where renewable energy must not only be generated, but also stored, managed and used intelligently within an integrated energy system.
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