Utility Scale Storage

Maoneng Australia, John Laing and Decmil have hosted a sod-turning ceremony on-site in Balranald, NSW. The developer has confirmed the solar farm will be co-located with a large-scale grid connected battery, and stated its plans for an additional 500 MW of solar and energy storage to be added in line with the proposed SA-NSW interconnector.

BSR EPC has secured a contract from Australian renewables developer Epuron to deliver the Northern Territory’s largest solar project – the 33 MW Katherine Solar Farm co-located with a 6 MW battery storage system.

The federal government’s decision to back the Snowy 2.0 pumped hydro project to the tune of $1.38 billion and the Marinus Link connector to Tasmania with $56 million sets the stage for solar to continue its strong growth in Australia. Analysis shows that additional energy storage capacity makes financial sense in the light of early coal retirements – and create a market for surging daytime solar generation.

The first sod has been turned on a massive solar+storage development located between Harlin and Kilcoy, in south-east Queensland. The project was proposed by Sunshine Energy Australia, a newcomer to the Aussie solar scene.

Australian renewable energy projects have accounted for 53% of French developer and IPP in 2018. Globally, Neoen generated €227.6 million in revenues ($363 million), of which wind was responsible for 48% and solar 44%. Hornsdale’s “excellent performance” is spurring the company to expand its large scale storage portfolio in 2019.

A bold plan to establish a 1.3 GWh lithium-ion battery cell and module factory in Australia has moved a step closer to reality with prospective manufacturer Energy Renaissance selecting U.S. battery cell developer Cadenza Innovation as technology partner. Energy Renaissance plans to have modules rolling off its first 300 MWh pilot line within one year.

With financial close still in the works, Sydney-based publicly listed Genex Power has moved on the Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project, part of its landmark renewable energy hub in far-north Queensland, signing an early works agreement with EPC contractors McConnell Dowell and John Holland.

In an Australian first, Canada’s Hydrostor is delivering a 5 MW / 10 MWh compressed air energy storage facility, which will store excess solar and wind power at a closed underground mine in South Australia.

Diversifying its gas-focused portfolio Down Under, the Italian oil group has acquired the Northern Territory’s largest solar project – the 33.7 MWp Katherine Solar Farm.

With li-ion battery supply chains stretched by the rapid EV and energy storage uptake, Western Australia is looking to position itself at the forefront of global battery manufacturing. The state government has launched a strategy to grow WA’s future battery industry, which includes plans for an investment attraction strategy.