An Australian energy company has been awarded the contract to supply and install NSW’s largest grid support battery energy storage system at West Dapto.
MPower was awarded the contract to design, build and install a one megawatt hour battery energy storage system at the site of our future West Dapto Zone Substation.
Endeavour Energy General Manager Asset Management, Ty Christopher, said the contract is an important milestone in adapting the network to meet the future energy needs of customers.
“MPower was selected based on its demonstrated capabilities in delivering large-scale solar installations and micro-grid power systems in Australia and New Zealand,” Mr Christopher said.
Mr Christopher said the trial was set against a backdrop of dramatic changes for network businesses in the way they connect customers and communities to the grid.
“These changes are being driven by customers embracing new technologies such as solar and battery storage, and taking greater control through access to real-time data about their energy use.
“As part of this transition, our customers have told us they want us to be working to secure their future electricity supply and help them reduce their electricity bills.
“The experience gained from this trial will help us build and operate a secure, reliable and affordable network in the future.”
Mr Christopher said the cost of battery storage is expected to continually decline in line with improvements in the technology.
“Battery storage systems have significant potential to reduce network capital costs, help manage load growth, peak demand, power quality and supply interruptions.
“This trial will allow Endeavour Energy to quantify the benefits of battery storage in a real, grid-scale setting and provide us the expertise to utilise this technology as future needs arise.
“We believe battery energy storage at West Dapto could reduce network investment by up to $1 million per year to keep downward pressure on our network charges.”
Mr Christopher said similar battery systems could be deployed in other growth areas of Endeavour Energy’s network to defer the construction of up to four new zone substations by 2024.
Endeavour Energy’s grid support battery energy trial is expected to be fully operational by December 2018.
