A battery energy storage system includes a plurality of battery cores. Each battery core of the battery energy storage system includes an array of battery cubes, and each battery core is configured to provide a first direct current power at a first voltage. The battery energy storage system further includes a plurality of direct-current-to-direct-current (DC-DC) converters. Each DC-DC converter of the battery energy storage system is configured to accept the first direct current power and each DC-DC converter is configured to provide a second direct current power at a second voltage. The battery energy storage system further includes a main modular multilevel converter (MMC). The MMC of the battery energy storage system is configured to accept the second direct current and to provide an alternating current at a third voltage.