The nation’s renewable energy landscape is set for a major shift with the development of big battery energy storage systems.
With battery energy storage system (BESS) projects on the rise throughout Australia, ecogeneration takes a look at some of the major developments across Western Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.
Western Australia: CBESS
Western Australia is undertaking a major renewable energy initiative with the construction of the colossal Collie Battery Energy Storage System (CBESS), developed by Synergy.
Located in Collie near Perth, the $1.6 billion CBESS forms a crucial part of the state’s strategy to phase out coal-fired power generation by 2030.
Once operational in 2025, the CBESS will rank among the largest battery storage facilities globally. Its 500 megawatt (MW) capacity, equivalent to 2000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of storage, could power 785,000 homes for four hours from a full charge.
This massive energy reserve will significantly bolster grid stability as Western Australia transitions to greater reliance on renewable sources.
Spanning over 40,000 square meters, the CBESS design incorporates 640 containerised battery units from CATL using liquid cooling technology, alongside 160 inverters from Power Electronics.
The state government has awarded over $1 billion in contracts for this and other large-scale battery projects.
Beyond its energy storage capabilities, the CBESS brings substantial economic benefits to the Collie region.
Over $160 million in contracts have gone to local companies for installation, commissioning and infrastructure work.
At peak construction, up to 500 jobs will be created, providing an economic boost.
The project aligns with Western Australia’s decarbonisation roadmap to retire coal plants by 2030, reducing Synergy’s emissions by 80 per cent.
Storing excess solar energy for evening peak periods maintains grid reliability during this renewable transition.
Crucially, it supports Collie’s economic diversification away from coal under the state’s Just Transition Plan.
The CBESS forms part of Synergy’s broader battery rollout including facilities at Kwinana, complementing private developments by Alinta and Neoen.
This major investment highlights Western Australia’s comprehensive strategy to integrate large-scale energy storage as it accelerates its clean energy transformation.
Victoria: The Victorian Big Battery
The Victorian Big Battery, developed by French renewable energy company Neoen, is a large-scale energy storage project aimed at enhancing Victoria’s power grid reliability and supporting the state’s renewable energy transition.
Located near Geelong, this battery system began operations in December 2021, representing a step forward in Australia’s clean energy efforts.
With a capacity of 300MW and 450MWh of storage, the Victorian Big Battery is one of the larger lithium-ion battery installations globally.
The facility is designed to store enough energy to power over one million Victorian homes for half an hour, providing additional capacity during peak demand periods and supporting grid stability.
The project, which cost approximately $160 million, received investment from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), Australia’s green bank.
Occupying an area smaller than Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium, the Victorian Big Battery uses 212 Tesla Megapack storage units, each with a capacity of 3MWh.
This installation marks the first large-scale use of Tesla’s Megapack technology in Australia, which contributes to the country’s broader adoption of energy storage solutions.
The battery’s primary function is to provide grid support services.
Under a contract with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), around 80 per cent of the battery’s capacity is reserved during summer to deliver 250MW of System Integrity Protection Scheme (SIPS) services.
This setup is intended to increase the transfer capacity on the Victoria-New South Wales interconnector during high-demand periods, helping to reduce the risk of power outages.
Economic benefits are also projected from the Victorian Big Battery.
Independent analysis indicates that for every dollar invested, the battery could provide more than two dollars in benefits to Victorian households and businesses.
Large industrial consumers may save up to $280,000 annually on electricity costs, while the Portland aluminium smelter could potentially see savings of around $1 million per year.
The project has brought economic activity to the Geelong region as well. During construction, it created over 150 jobs and now supports six full-time permanent positions.
Queensland: The Stanwell Big Battery
Stanwell Corporation, Queensland’s state-owned energy company, is building its own big battery near Rockhampton.
This landmark project, part of Stanwell’s transformation into a Clean Energy Hub, represents a considerable advancement in Queensland’s renewable energy transition.
The Stanwell BESS, with a capacity of 300MW and 1200MWh of storage, is Queensland’s largest committed battery project to date.
This system can supply energy to the grid for up to four hours, providing crucial stability and reliability as the state works towards its ambitious goal of 80 per cent renewable energy by 2035.
Valued at $747 million, the project received substantial support from the Queensland Government, which invested $448.2 million from its Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Job Fund.
The Stanwell BESS will utilise advanced technology, incorporating 324 lithium-ion Tesla Megapack 2XL units.
These battery units will be strategically positioned at the Stanwell Power Station site, leveraging existing infrastructure and connections to maximise efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Beyond its technical specifications, the Stanwell BESS project brings significant economic benefits to the region.
During the construction phase, the project is expected to create up to 80 full-time jobs, with an additional six permanent positions for ongoing operations.
This influx of employment opportunities provides a welcome boost to the local economy, particularly as the region transitions away from traditional coal-based industries.
The Stanwell BESS is part of a broader battery rollout across Queensland. It joins other significant projects, including the 300 MW/600 MWh Tarong BESS, which is already halfway through construction.
Together, these projects form a crucial component of Stanwell’s ambitious goal to achieve 5GW of energy storage capacity by 2035.
New South Wales:
Waratah Super Battery
Developed by Akaysha Energy, a subsidiary of BlackRock, the Waratah Super Battery boasts impressive specifications.
With a capacity of 850MW and 1680MWh of storage, it surpasses many existing large-scale battery projects worldwide.
Located approximately 100km north of Sydney, near the retiring Eraring coal-fired power station, the battery system occupies a sprawling 138,000 square metre site – equivalent to over eight AFL fields.
The primary function of the Waratah Super Battery is to act as a “shock absorber” for the electricity grid.
As part of a SIPS, it will respond rapidly to sudden power surges caused by events such as bushfires or lightning strikes, ensuring grid stability and reliability.
Moreover, by increasing the transmission capacity of the existing network, the battery will enable more efficient power flow from generators to consumers across NSW.
Construction of the Waratah Super Battery commenced in June 2023, with the project on track for completion in 2025.
The development has already reached significant milestones, including the energisation of the new Waratah Substation and registration on the National Electricity Market.
These achievements pave the way for further testing and commissioning works.
The project involves collaboration between several key partners.
Powin LLC is providing the battery hardware and software, utilising their Centipede BESS platform and Stack OS control system.
Consolidated Power Projects Australia is responsible for site works, battery installation, and electrical infrastructure.
Beyond its technical prowess, the Waratah Super Battery project brings substantial economic benefits to the region.
It is expected to stimulate up to $1 billion in private investment and support over 100 jobs during construction. Furthermore, by allowing Akaysha Energy to trade excess capacity in the electricity market, the project is designed to put downward pressure on electricity costs for NSW consumers.
This article featured in the December edition of ecogeneration.
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