Discover Energy Systems Battery Review
Discover Battery, established in 1949 in Canada, began as a regional battery distribution business and has since evolved into an international manufacturing and engineering company. Headquartered in Richmond, British Columbia, Discover Battery specialises in advanced energy storage solutions, including lithium and lead-acid batteries, serving industries such as transportation, motive power, and renewable energy storage.
Discover Energy Systems (DES) operates as a division within Discover Battery, focusing on the development and manufacturing of advanced lithium battery technologies. DES is responsible for the company's lithium solutions, including the Advanced Energy Systems (AES) and the HELIOS Energy Storage System, which are designed and partially manufactured by Discover's North American engineering and manufacturing group.
In this review, we will examine two of their flagship offerings: the HELIOS Energy Storage System (ESS) and the AES Rackmount ESS. Both of these 48V systems are competitively priced and utilise well-proven lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) cell chemistry for enhanced safety and longevity.
Discover HELIOS ESS
The HELIOS Energy Storage System (ESS) is a 16kWh heavy-duty, high-capacity, 48V all-in-one lithium battery designed for demanding residential and commercial energy storage applications. Built using the latest large-format LFP cells, HELIOS ESS stands out in the market thanks to its high continuous power rating of 10 kW (with 19 kW peak for 10 seconds) and its robust all-climate design, including an integrated heater as standard. This ensures reliable performance even in sub-zero conditions down to –25°C, making it ideal for alpine and off-grid environments.
HELIOS is engineered for scalability, supporting up to 36 units in parallel to deliver a total capacity of over 570 kWh. With closed-loop communications for seamless integration with leading inverter brands, a 4th-generation high-current BMS, dual fire arrestors, and emergency shutdown, HELIOS is one of the most advanced plug-and-play outdoor battery systems available at a very reasonable price.
🔧 Key Features and Highlights:
High Power Output: 10 kW continuous output, and up to 19 kW peak for 10 seconds.
Integrated Cold Climate Heater (Standard): 250W Self-heating function as standard.
Outdoor-Rated, All-in-One Design: Durable IP65-rated weatherproof enclosure.
Modular Scalability: parallel up to 36 units, scaling to over 570 kWh.
Smart Integration: Closed-loop communication with major inverter brands (including Schneider, Victron, and Sol-Ark), plus open-loop operation allowing easy integration into most off-grid systems.
Advanced Safety: Includes dual fire arrestors and emergency shutdown functionality.
High-current BMS: manages cell balancing and protects against thermal faults while delivering high current up to 200A.
✅ Pros:
Excellent continuous and peak power output
Competitive pricing: from US$300 (AU$440) per kWh
Standard integrated heater for sub-zero operation
IP65 weatherproof cabinet for outdoor use
High scalability (up to 579.6 kWh)
Compatible with most hybrid/off-grid inverters
❌ Cons:
Warranty: min 60% capacity at end-of-life (EOL) after 10 years (other brands are offering 70% EOL)
Very heavy: 130kg (286 pounds)
Discover AES Rackmount ESS
The AES Rackmount ESS is a modular, lithium battery system engineered for flexibility and high power delivery. Designed for installers, the AES Rackmount ESS is Discover’s rack-mount lithium battery platform, offering maximum flexibility and rapid deployment in both on- and off-grid systems. Each module provides 5.0 kWh of usable capacity and can be stacked to suit a variety of installations, from single-battery home systems to large-scale commercial systems.
What sets the AES Rackmount apart is its high continuous and peak power rating, with each module delivering up to 1C continuous and 2.2C peak output, enabling high load support from a compact footprint. For colder climates, an optional integrated heater model ensures reliable charging and discharging in sub-zero temperatures. AES also features a fast installation design using the Discover Quick Stack rack and plug-and-play Amphenol connectors.
Key Features and Highlights:
High Power Output per Module: Each battery supports 1C continuous and up to 2.2C peak discharge.
Cold Climate Ready (Optional Heater): optional integrated heater, ensuring cold-weather perfermance.
Rapid Installation: Designed for quick setup using Discover’s Quick Stack rack system.
Advanced BMS & Safety Integration: Like HELIOS, the AES Rackmount system features Discover’s 4th-gen high-current BMS, with cell-level protection and fault diagnostics.
Inverter Compatibility: Industry standard closed-loop CANbus communication
✅ Pros:
Flexible, scalable rack-mount design
High continuous and peak discharge capability
Open or closed-loop inverter communication
Optional heater for cold climates
❌ Cons:
Warranty: min 60% capacity at end-of-life (EOL) after 10 years (other brands are offering 70% EOL)
An additional Lynk II Comms Gateway is required for closed-loop communication
🔗 Discover LYNK II Communication Gateway
The LYNK II Communication Gateway is a vital component in the Discover Energy Systems ecosystem. It provides seamless closed-loop (CANbus) communication between Discover lithium batteries and a wide range of hybrid inverters, charge controllers, and energy management systems. Without the LYNK II gateway, Discover batteries (excluding the Helios ESS) can only be used in an open-loop (self-managed) control, which can lead to inaccurate charging and reduced performance over the life of the battery. The addition of LYNK II ensures a fully intelligent and optimised energy storage system, plus remote battery monitoring via the LYNK Access software described later.
Key Features and Benefits:
Closed-Loop Communication:
LYNK II enables direct communication between Discover’s AES LiFePO₄, AES Rackmount, and HELIOS ESS battery systems and supported inverter/charger brands such as Victron Energy, Schneider Electric, Sol-Ark, Morningstar, and Studer. This ensures precise SOC (state of charge) reporting and dynamic control of charge and discharge parameters.Enhanced Battery Life and Performance:
By allowing the inverter or charger to adjust settings based on real-time battery feedback, LYNK II helps maintain ideal charging conditions. This not only improves overall efficiency but also extends battery lifespan.Plug-and-Play Setup:
LYNK II is easy to install using standard RJ45 and CAN communication ports, minimising setup time. It automatically detects connected devices and manages communications with multiple batteries in parallel systems.Data Logging and Remote Monitoring:
When connected to a compatible monitoring system, LYNK II can act as a data gateway, enabling remote system diagnostics, performance tracking, and firmware updates (depending on the system configuration).
LYNK ACCESS Software
Discover’s new LYNK ACCESS software significantly enhances the capabilities of the LYNK II Communication Gateway, making it one of the most advanced lithium battery integration and management tools currently available. Designed for installers and system integrators, LYNK ACCESS allows for complete device programming, remote system access, and advanced data analysis. This streamlined tool not only simplifies commissioning and speeds up integration with third-party hardware but also enables real-time monitoring, diagnostics, and fine-tuned charging control. With remote access capabilities, users can manage and troubleshoot systems remotely.
Is LYNK II Worth the Cost?
Although the LYNK II adds to the upfront cost of a system (typically $300 to $500), it enables closed-loop communication, allowing the inverter to receive detailed, real-time data directly from the battery’s BMS. This includes accurate SOC, current limits, temperature conditions, and fault signals. The result is:
Precise charge/discharge control — tailored to the battery’s needs at any moment
Enhanced battery balancing across all connected modules, maintaining system health
Improved overall system efficiency and reliability, especially under variable loads and extreme temperatures.
Simplified commissioning and diagnostics, including support for remote firmware updates and monitoring
The LYNK II becomes almost essential in high-capacity or mission-critical installations, where managing 6, 12, or even 36 parallel battery modules. It ensures that each module operates at its optimum level and that the inverter intelligently responds to the system’s needs under all conditions.
Battery Warranty & End-of-Life Capacity
Discover’s lithium battery products, including both the HELIOS and AES systems, are backed by a standard 5-year warranty that automatically extends to a 10-year warranty once registered. The warranty covers manufacturing defects and capacity performance and guarantees a minimum end-of-life (EOL) capacity of 60% after 10 years, assuming operation within the recommended usage parameters. The battery registration must happen within 30 days of installation. Otherwise, it defaults to the sub-standard 5-year warranty. Refer to the warranty details below.
While the 60% EOL is in line with standard industry warranties, it falls slightly short of the most competitive premium systems, such as those from Tesla, Powerplus, and AERL, which promise a minimum 70% capacity retention after 10 years under similar conditions. However, Discover’s focus on higher power delivery, safety features, intelligent monitoring, and environmental robustness often makes up for this in terms of real-world reliability and system integration flexibility.
🔧 Personal Experience
I’ve been designing and installing off-grid and hybrid power systems using Discover AES batteries for several years, and more recently, the new Helios ESS battery system. Overall, I’ve been very impressed with the features and real-world performance.
One standout has been the compact and durable build quality of the Helios ESS. It’s robust, well-designed, and packed with features, including a built-in digital display, integrated heater, and the flexibility to operate as either a self-managed or fully managed battery via CANbus. This makes it especially useful for upgrading older off-grid solar systems that lack the communication options of modern inverters.
Another big plus is the value for money. The Helios ESS is one of the most competitively priced 48V lithium battery systems from a top-tier manufacturer, offering high capacity, great features and high power. While it is still early days, the only downside I have found is that the weight can make it challenging to handle and install. The exposed communications ports are also vulnerable to water ingress if installed outside in an area exposed to rain.
Conclusion
Discover Energy Systems produces high-performance battery systems that combine solid engineering, innovative design, and advanced integration features. From the large-capacity, outdoor-ready HELIOS ESS battery system with its high continuous power rating and integrated heating, to the compact and scalable AES Rackmount solution suited for modular off-grid systems, Discover offers flexible options for residential and commercial applications.
Discover stands out in intelligence and scalability, especially when combined with the LYNK II Communication Gateway and LYNK ACCESS software. These tools unlock the full potential of Discover’s advanced battery management system (BMS), enabling precise control, real-time monitoring, and integration with industry-leading inverter brands. For larger capacity systems using multiple batteries in parallel, LYNK II ensures all modules communicate, remain balanced, and charge safely, while providing remote access and diagnostics capabilities.
Although the standard warranty end-of-life capacity may not match the longevity guarantees of some premium brands, the overall build quality, smart integration, and remote management capabilities give Discover’s battery lineup a competitive edge, particularly for off-grid, backup, and commercial storage applications where reliability and flexibility are key.
Overall Rating: 8.5/10
