Queensland’s largest operational commercial scale battery, located near Wandoan, has reached full capacity, delivering 100MW of grid capacity and storing up to 150MWh of renewable energy.
Owned by Vena Energy Australia, the full operational dispatch rights for the Wandoan South Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) have since been handed over to electricity provider AGL for a 15-year fixed term contract.
The contract with AGL was formalised following a successful 18-month testing and commissioning process conducted by Vena Energy.
AGL Chief Operating Officer, Markus Brokhof, said the Wandoan South BESS will be capable of dispatching 100MW of power to the grid during periods when renewable generators are less available due to lack of wind and sun, the equivalent of powering 57,000 homes.
“Now that it is fully operational, we’re very pleased to be able to offer our customers secure, reliable, clean energy with the addition of the Wandoan South BESS,” Mr Brokhof said.
“Storage projects like the Wandoan South BESS will enable AGL to leverage excess solar generation in Queensland and provide capacity when AGL’s Cooper’s Gap Wind Farm in Queensland is not generating or when the energy market needs it.”
Head of Vena Energy Australia, Owen Sela, said the battery project would ensure a sustainable supply of stable power, irrespective of demand.
“As the need for renewable energy in the generation mix continues to increase, technologies such as the Wandoan South BESS will be capable of storing clean energy during times of low demand and dispatched at times of low production or peak demand, making it the best solution to address the intermittency of renewable energy,” Mr Sela said.
Feature Image: Aerial view of the Wandoan South Battery Energy Storage System. Photo: AGL.