The Turnbull Government, through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), is providing up to $12 million in funding for a 30MW large-scale battery that delivers both regulated network services and competitive market services – unlocking the full potential of a battery.
Expected to cost around $30 million, the battery is the first large-scale battery to be designed, built and commercially operated in Australia and backed by private investment from energy providers.
Transmission network provider ElectraNet will design, build and own the battery at Dalrymple substation on the Yorke Peninsula and lease out the commercial operation to a major energy retailer.
It is expected to be constructed and operational by February 2018.
The development is the second phase of the Energy Storage for Commercial Renewable Integration (ESCRI) project.
Phase one consisted of a study into the potential for energy storage to benefit the South Australian network, including key aspects of a utility scale battery.
Phase two will not only supply Fast Frequency Response to help balance the electricity network and reduce operating constraints on the Heywood interconnector with Victoria, but also keep the lights on in the Dalrymple service area during a loss of supply by working together with the existing 90MW Wattle Point wind farm and rooftop solar PV systems in a microgrid.
The Turnbull Government’s investment in innovative technologies, such as this large-scale battery, will help to deliver affordable and reliable energy as we transition to a lower emissions future.