The spike in charging activity reflects the first energisation and functional testing at the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub in Plumpton, one of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria‘s (SEC) flagship storage projects.
A joint venture between the SEC and Equis Australia, the Hub is on track to deliver 1.6 giga-watts (GWh) of storage capacity when fully commissioned later this year. That’s enough energy to support roughly 200,000 homes through the critical evening peak.
Bringing all 444 battery units online marks a major milestone, representing the crucial early phase in deploying a grid-scale battery energy storage system of this size and strategic importance.
The process involves various tests to ensure that the battery units operate safely within their technical parameters.
It’s the first time Victoria’s growing portfolio of big battery storage facilities has achieved a combined charging rate of more than one gigawatt — making it the first state in Australia to do so.
Victoria has nine big batteries in operation and several under construction.
Chris Miller, Chief Executive Officer at SEC said energisation was a crucial step as the Hub gears up to enhance Victoria’s electricity network and support SEC’s position in the retail market by firming renewable electricity supply.
“We know storage is critical for Victoria’s energy transition, and this project adds significant storage capability to the grid,” he said.
“SEC’s investment in the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub was pivotal to the delivery of the project, enabling construction to begin and for one of the project’s three big batteries to be upscaled from two to four hours of storage,” Miller added.
The Hub’s energisation and testing process will continue over the coming weeks.
The Hub is esigned to charge when renewable generation is plentiful and discharge when supply tightens. This will act as a buffer for the grid, absorbing excess rooftop solar and wholesale energy to help ease pressure on power prices.
Construction of the facility continues to deliver a significant economic boost, creating jobs and training pathways for more than 1,200 workers, including over 70 apprentices, cadets and trainees.