CleanCo is exploring the feasibility of installing one of Australia’s largest grid-connected Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) at the Swanbank Clean Energy Hub in Ipswich.
The 1.5 megawatts (MW) sodium sulphur battery provided by Allset Energy would have the capacity to provide at least six hours of energy storage, making it one of the first of its kind in Queensland.
According to CleanCo, the project will use cutting-edge technology to bolster CleanCo’s ability to deliver reliable, low-emission energy while supporting the state’s transition to renewable energy.
The stackable, modular design offers a scalable, space-saving solution that can expand to gigawatt scale in an Australian first.
CleanCo CEO, Tom Metcalfe said the NAS Battery represents an exciting step forward in CleanCo’s mission to lead Queensland’s path to net-zero.
“The trial at Swanbank will allow us to explore the commercial and operational potential of long-duration energy storage, enabling us to meet the evolving needs of our customers with reliable, sustainable energy solutions,” he said.
The proposed pilot project would take place on the site of one of Swanbank’s decommissioned coal-fired power stations, ideally located near Queensland’s largest energy demand.
CleanCo will partner with Allset Energy to progress a feasibility study finalising the engineering, procurement and construction agreement.
The Queensland University of Technology’s Energy Storage Research Group will serve as the knowledge-sharing partner, having commissioned Australia’s first NAS Battery in 2023.
The study is expected to complete in early 2025 to support an investment decision the same year, with the potential for operations by mid-2026.
Learnings will include understanding the value of longer-duration storage technologies in supporting the energy transition.
The NAS Battery will complement the Swanbank Big Battery, a lithium-ion phosphate system currently under construction, providing adaptable storage capacity to ensure reliable energy supply.
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