XESS
BatteriesXESS Energy is an Australian battery manufacturer based in Brisbane, Queensland. Founded in 2022 by Craig Hunter and Peter Watkinson, XESS produces modular LiFePO4 battery storage systems and hybrid inverters designed for residential, commercial, and off-grid applications. Manufacturing and design is supported by Australian Energy Research Laboratories (AERL), which has been operating since 1985.
About XESS Energy Batteries in Australia
XESS Energy is an Australian battery manufacturer based in Brisbane, Queensland, founded in 2022 by Craig Hunter and Peter Watkinson. The company was established to address what the founders saw as a gap in energy storage solutions suited to Australia’s remote communities and harsh operating environments.
XESS products are designed in partnership with Australian Energy Research Laboratories (AERL), an electronics manufacturer that has been operating since 1985. AERL’s CEO, Peter Watkinson, serves as XESS’s CTO, bringing decades of power electronics experience to the battery designs. This partnership gives XESS a stronger local engineering pedigree than most battery brands entering the Australian market.
The product range centres on the XESS ION modular battery system (LiFePO4 prismatic cells with active balancing) and the XESS ONE hybrid inverter/charger for grid-tied and off-grid applications. The ION system scales from a single 5.12kWh module up to 300+ kWh across multiple cabinets, making it suitable for residential, commercial, and remote power installations. XESS batteries are compatible with a range of popular inverters including Victron, Selectronic, SMA, Deye, and Solis.
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XESS Key Features
Australian Designed
XESS is headquartered in Brisbane, QLD, with product design and engineering supported by AERL, an Australian electronics manufacturer operating since 1985.
5.12kWh LiFePO4 Modules
Each XESSION-5120 module provides 5.12kWh of storage using LiFePO4 prismatic cells with active cell balancing for long cycle life and consistent performance.
Scalable to 300+ kWh
Rack-mounted modules fit into ENCR6 (6-module) or ENCR10 (10-module) cabinets. Up to six ENCR10 cabinets can run in parallel for commercial-scale storage.
Wide Temperature Range
Charging from -10 to +55°C and discharging from 0 to +55°C. Designed for Australian conditions including hot northern climates and cold alpine regions.
Multi-Inverter Compatibility
Works in managed mode with Victron, Deye, Noark, and AERL inverters, and in self-managed mode with Selectronic, SMA, and Solis.
7-Year Warranty (ext. to 10)
Standard 7-year warranty on battery modules (or 15.36 MWh throughput) with 70% SoH guarantee. Extends to 10 years when registered on XESS.Cloud.
XESS Products Available in Australia
XESS ION Series
How XESS Compares to Other Battery Brands
| Feature | XESS ION | Tesla Powerwall 3 | BYD Battery-Box |
|---|---|---|---|
| Module Size | 5.12kWh | 13.5kWh (fixed) | 2.56–12.8kWh |
| Max Capacity | 300+ kWh | 54kWh (4 units) | 12.8kWh per stack |
| Chemistry | LiFePO4 | LFP | LFP |
| Warranty | 7 years (ext. to 10) | 10 years | 10 years |
| Inverter Compatibility | Victron, SMA, Selectronic + | Tesla only | Fronius, GoodWe, SMA + |
| Off-Grid Capable | Yes | Yes (with gateway) | Inverter dependent |
XESS ION stands out for its scalability and broad inverter compatibility, making it a strong choice for off-grid and commercial applications. Tesla Powerwall 3 offers a simpler all-in-one package for residential grid-connected systems. BYD Battery-Box is the most widely supported by third-party inverters. XESS is newer to the market (founded 2022) so long-term reliability data is still building, while Tesla and BYD have longer Australian track records.
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Frequently Asked Questions About XESS
- helpIs XESS an Australian company?
- Yes, XESS Energy is headquartered in Brisbane, Queensland (1/75 Bluestone Circuit, Seventeen Mile Rocks, QLD 4073). The company was founded in 2022 by Craig Hunter and Peter Watkinson. Product design and engineering is done in partnership with Australian Energy Research Laboratories (AERL), which has been operating since 1985. Some components are manufactured overseas, but the system design and support are Australian.
- helpHow much does a XESS ION battery cost?
- XESS ION pricing varies by configuration. A single 5.12kWh XESSION-5120 module plus cabinet starts from around $5,000–$7,000 installed, depending on the inverter pairing and installation complexity. Larger systems with multiple modules cost proportionally more. Contact local installers for current pricing, as costs depend on your existing setup and location.
- helpWhat inverters work with XESS ION batteries?
- XESS ION batteries work in managed mode (full communication) with Victron, Deye, Noark, AERL, and XESS ONE inverters. They also work in self-managed mode with Selectronic, SMA, and Solis inverters. Check with XESS or your installer for the latest compatibility list, as new inverter integrations are added regularly.
- helpWhat warranty does XESS offer?
- XESS offers a standard 7-year warranty on battery modules, or 15.36 MWh of throughput per module, whichever comes first. The warranty guarantees at least 70% state of health at expiration. This extends to 10 years if the system is registered on XESS.Cloud for remote monitoring, or if the extended warranty is purchased separately. Cabinet warranty is 2 years.
- helpCan XESS batteries be used off-grid?
- Yes. The XESS ION battery system supports both grid-connected and off-grid installations when paired with a compatible inverter. The XESS ONE hybrid inverter/charger is specifically designed for off-grid and hybrid applications, integrating solar, battery, and generator inputs. The ION system’s scalability (up to 300+ kWh) makes it suitable for remote properties and off-grid homes.
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