Energy Storage

The energisation of two new battery projects totalling a combined 150 MW has seen the charging capacity from grid-scale battery energy storage systems surpass that of pumped hydro in Australia’s national grid.

Singapore-based developer Vena Energy has announced it will investigate opportunities to manufacture solar panel components and battery energy storage systems in Indonesia to support a hybrid megaproject featuring up to 2 GW of solar capacity and more than 8 GWh of energy storage.

The size of Australia’s first coordinated renewable energy zone is set to be increased with the New South Wales government announcing the network capacity of the declared Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone will be expanded to better meet the state’s future energy needs as coal-fired power stations progressively retire.

Developers of large-scale PV projects in Australia are being told it is of the utmost importance that they plan for increased frequency of sudden solar power fluctuation events – known as ramps – with new research suggesting that climate change may affect the future stability of grid-connected solar power systems.

Investors have lodged bids for 3.1 GW of wind and solar projects, along with 1.6 GW of long-duration storage projects, in response to the New South Wales government’s latest tender for renewable energy generation and storage capacity as it prepares for the exit of coal-fired power generation from the state’s electricity grid.

Origin Energy and supermarket giant Coles have partnered to deploy 20 MW of solar at up to 100 supermarkets and liquor stores throughout Australia in a deal that will allow the energy gentailer to use excess electricity generated by the installs to ease pressure on the grid during peak demand periods.

Newcastle-based clean energy company MGA Thermal has secured $8.25 million (USD 5.39 million) from domestic and international investors as it gears up for commercial scale production of its thermal long-duration energy storage solution.

Pilbara Minerals and Australian technology company Calix have received board approvals to build a ‘game changing’ processing plant to produce value-added lithium product at the miner’s flagship Pilgangoora project in Western Australia.

Energy Vault has begun commissioning a 25 MW / 100 MWh energy storage tower adjacent to a wind power facility outside of Shanghai.

Ingeteam has sold its operation and maintenance (O&M) division to United Kingdom-based RES Group. It says the division’s 35 GW of O&M contracts throughout the world are valued at $58.55 billion (€35 billion).