More big batteries on the way in 2018
Large-scale storage began to gain a lot of attention in 2017, particularly after Elon Musk’s famed ‘100 days’ tweet back in March. Now that this project has proved an initial success, it looks like more big batteries are on the way for the National Electricity Market (NEM).
Grid-level battery storage in focus as summer heatwave approaches
With scorching summer temperatures set to hit major cities in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales this weekend, large scale battery storage has become a major focus of the electricity reliability debate. The Smart Energy Council’s John Grimes says that South Australia’s leadership has been key in to the shift.
Yes, South Australia’s battery is massive, but it can do much more besides
Last Friday, the “world’s largest” lithium-ion battery was officially opened in South Australia. Tesla’s much anticipated “mega-battery” made the 100 days or it’s free deadline, after a week of testing and commissioning.
Elon Musk comes good on 100-day, 100 MW South Australia battery promise
The Tesla chief laid down the gauntlet earlier this year, confidently tweeting that his team could have the world’s largest battery online within 100 days of signing the contract. The lithium-ion South Australia project was actually completed in 60 days.
Western Australia takes first steps in utility-scale storage
As Tesla is finalizing connection of the world’s largest energy storage facility in South Australia, trials have got underway for the first utility-scale storage system in Western Australia.
Lyon’s solar+storage Australian projects reported to attract bids
After vowing bigger battery plans than Elon Musk’s Tesla deal in South Australia, Lyon Group is now reported to have received bids for three of its utility-scale solar power and battery projects located in Victoria, South Australia and Queensland.
ARENA grants $1.9 million for distributed energy trials in WA
Western Australia’s electricity provider Horizon Power is set to receive a financial shot in the arm to install various distributed energy technologies in 90 homes and businesses in the coastal town of Carnarvon, which is home to the state’s first utility-scale energy storage, currently under trial.
CEFC to finance first unsubsidized utility scale battery
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) will provide $150 million in debt finance for the 212 MW Lincoln Gap wind farm. The project will include a utility scale battery system capable of provider 10 MWh of ‘fast response’ storage capacity.
CEFC provides debt finance for Australia’s first wind+solar+storage array
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation will provide $94 million as the sole debt financier of Australia’s first co-developed wind, solar and storage array. The 60 MW Kennedy Energy Park is being developed by Windlab and Eurus Energy and will combine 43.2 MW in wind capacity, 15 MW of solar PV, and 2 MWh of battery storage.
Queensland receives huge response to 400 MW renewables and 100 MW storage tender
The tender was part of a raft of announcements, including confirmation of a commitment to source 50% of its electricity from renewables by 2030. Queensland is fast emerging as a large scale solar hotspot, with hundreds of megawatts either having reached financial close or currently under construction.
