AGL and the New South Wales Government have lodged a scoping report for a grid-scale battery system to be located alongside the existing plant at Liddell Power Station.
The New South Wales Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) collaborated with AGL to produce the report on the proposed Liddell Battery.
The Liddell Battery is part of the 850MW multi-site integrated battery system AGL targets to develop by FY24, as announced in its FY20 Results.
The battery supports AGL’s Climate Statement commitments to continue to invest in new sources of electricity supply.
AGL Chief Operating Officer, Markus Brokhof, said over the past decade battery technology has evolved rapidly and is now at an investment level that allows AGL to lead the transition to decarbonisation in Australia.
“Battery storage is critical to enhance the energy system’s flexibility and support the ongoing integration of renewable sources to the National Electricity Market (NEM),” Mr Brokhof said.
“It removes one of the biggest limiting factors of renewables, by providing electricity anytime but particularly during peak demand.
“For a long time AGL led the way in renewable investment. As more renewables come into the energy system, we need to make sure we are supporting the development of storage and firming capacity, like grid-scale batteries.”
AGL’s support of grid-scale battery projects include Wandoan (100MW), Maoneng (4×50 MW) and Dalrymple (30MW).
“We believe battery technology is now at a level that allows AGL to lead in Australia’s transition to a smarter and more efficient energy future,” Mr Brokhof said.
Planning applications are also being developed for a battery connected to Torrens Island Power Station site in Adelaide, with other sites under consideration.
South Australian Minister for Energy and Mining, Dan van Holst Pellekaan, said, “AGL’s announcement is a vote of confidence in the ongoing transformation of South Australia’s energy system to one of lower-cost, lower-emission electricity.
“Power generation at Torrens Island, including AGL’s brand new fast start generator, plays a significant role in South Australia and this announcement by AGL is a welcome show of confidence in the State Government’s energy solution.
“As Torrens Island’s older generators retire over coming years, this battery would help meet peak demand and help fill in the gaps between wind and solar generation.
“Due to Torrens Island’s location the battery storage will help ensure the ongoing stability of South Australia’s power system.
“This would make use of the significant infrastructure at Torrens Island and utilise it for battery storage.
“This investment would be the first big battery in the Adelaide region and take South Australia to five big batteries and will help achieve our goal of net 100 per cent renewable energy.”
To support delivery of this target, AGL has invited select suppliers to tender for the procurement of the grid-scale batteries included in this system.
Mr Brokhof said AGL is getting on with the business of transition and continuing to investigate how to incorporate new technology options that will provide flexible generation and storage.
“We believe Australia has an opportunity to be a low-emissions, energy superpower in the years to come which is what we have set out to achieve through the delivery of our commitments under our Climate Statement,” Mr Brokhof said.
“We are committed to helping create an energy future that is smart, efficient and affordable for our customers. This project will not only enable those outcomes but in doing so set the stage for a battery era.”
The investment in batteries is part of AGL’s ongoing commitment to firming technology and is in direct alignment with the Federal Government’s National Technology Investment Roadmap and consistent with AEMO’s 2020 Integrated System Plan released in July 2020.
