Construction has begun on one of the New England region’s first large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS), located at ACEN Australia’s New England Solar project.
The 200 megawatts/two-hour BESS, the first of two planned systems, will help provide energy on demand to customers in New South Wales and Queensland. The system will also integrate advanced grid-forming inverters, which will enhance system strength, stability, and network security.
This project marks the first large-scale battery storage initiative to be supported by the NSW Government’s Emerging Energy Program.
ACEN Australia Head of Construction and Engineering Tim Greenaway said the project’s geotechnical and design work is close to completion.
“We expect the civil and base electrical work for the BESS to begin over the next month or two, ready for the delivery of the battery modules in the second half of the year,” he said.
“Our geotechnical and design work is almost complete and work to install the electrical infrastructure to connect the battery is well underway.
“We expect the civil and base electrical work for the BESS to begin over the next month or two, ready for the delivery of the battery modules in second half of the year.
“We’ll have workers and contractors on site from Uralla, Tamworth and Armidale. They’ll also be supported by teams from Queensland, South Australia and other parts of New South Wales.”
An expanded switching yard is also needed to connect the battery system to Transgrid’s transmission network, with Lumea overseeing the civil work, which is expected to be completed by mid-year.
A 250 megavolts-ampere electrical transformer, weighing 261 tonnes, is scheduled to be delivered to the site next month to support the battery system.
High-voltage connection specialist EPEC will manage the installation and commissioning of the transformer.
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