One of two large-scale grid-connected batteries in regional Victoria is close to completion.
Ballarat’s Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is now undergoing a final testing phase. It will then be ready to help Victoria meet peak summer demand.
The 30 MW/30 MWh storage facility can power more than 20,000 homes for one hour during critical peak demand.
Second of grid-connected batteries also primed for summer
In March this year the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) committed $25 million to the two utility-scale grid-connected batteries.
The Victorian government then matched this amount as part of its $50 million energy storage program.
The second utility-scale battery rolled out using ARENA funding is the Gannawarra battery storage system . This is co-located at the 60 MW Gannawarra Solar Farm close to Kerang.
The Tesla battery should also be ready for the coming summer. EnergyAustralia will operate the facility under a long-term off-take agreement.
Commercial batteries catching up with home batteries
While home batteries like Tesla Powerwall and sonnenBatterie are growing in popularity, their large-scale cousins have been slower off the mark.
Yet the federal government is now keen to develop utility-scale batteries across the country. This is because battery storage solves the intermittency problem of wind and solar energy.
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation has also contributed to four large-scale renewable battery projects since starting in 2013:
- 10 MW of battery storage at the Lincoln Gap Wind Farm in Port Augusta, SA.
- 2 MW of battery storage at the Kennedy Energy Parkin central north Queensland.
- 6 MW of batteries at the 10 MW solar plant in remote WA’s DeGrussa Copper-Mine.
- Kidston Renewable Energy Hub near Townsville will be Australia’s first large-scale solar farm featuring pumped hydro storage.
Utility batteries help supply and stabilise grid
BESS will be located at the Ballarat terminal substation, which is owned by AusNet Services.
The battery will therefore deliver critical supply and grid stability in a congested part of the network. No further network investment will then be necessary.
According to ARENA CEO Darren Miller, the Ballarat battery will boost supply during peak use. It will also improve grid security in Western Victoria.
CEFC CEO Ian Learmonth also says energy storage batteries will play a crucial role in Australia’s future electricity market.
