New 2-stage BESS for Victoria to provide 1.4 GWh of capacity

Victoria-headquartered gentailer Flow Power has begun construction of its 100 MW / 223 MWh Bennetts Creek Battery project and has announced a proposed 300 MW / 1.2 GWh Stage 2, to be built beside Stage 1.

Located at Hazelwood North in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley and adjacent to the Morwell Terminal Station, the Bennetts Creek Battery Stage 1 is scheduled to be fully operational by 2028 and is Flow Power’s largest battery energy storage system (BESS) in its portfolio.

The Bennetts Creek BESS is to be built on 2.3 hectares and will support the integration of existing renewable energy generation into the Victorian grid during peak times and help place downward pressure on wholesale electricity prices.

Finnish energy technology manufacturer Wärtsilä is providing battery technology and intelligent control systems for the project utilising Wärtsilä’s Quantum hardware, a fully integrated, modular, and compact energy storage system (ESS).

Wärtsilä’s controls and optimisation software, GEMS, will serve as the project’s intelligent power plant controller, managing the integration of the energy storage system.

GEMS conducts intelligent power control and optimised energy management operations for the entire plant to meet grid requirements and response times, charge and discharge the battery appropriately, and maximise project value.

The project will be delivered under an engineered equipment delivery (EEQ) contract with Wärtsilä providing guaranteed asset performance under a separate long-term service agreement.

Australia engineering services company Zenviron will be responsible for balance of plant design, construction, installation and commissioning.

Flow Power Chief Operating Officer Byron Serjeantson said initiating construction and announcing a second stage to the Bennetts Creek BESS represents Flow Power’s continued investment in Victoria’s energy future.

“Projects like this are critical to supporting the integration of more renewable energy into the grid, while helping deliver the reliable and affordable energy households and businesses need,” Serjeanston said.

Bennetts Creek Stage 2

Bennetts Creek Stage 2 is in the early planning phase, with Flow Power undertaking initial environmental, noise and cultural heritage investigations.

An application for Development Approval (DA) is being prepared for the Department of Transport and Planning, and Flow Power is seeking community input as part of the consultation process.