ENGIE and Neoen have signed a virtual battery offtake agreement for the Victorian Big Battery (VBB) to help ENGIE manage its renewable energy generation portfolio.
ENGIE Global Energy Management and Sales (GEMS), Tiburce Blanchy, said the agreement is the first deal of this nature that ENGIE has signed in Australia, allowing the utility to replicate the functions of a grid-scale battery, allowing for virtual charging or discharging at any time.
“This will help us manage the intermittency of our renewable energy generation portfolio and flexibility of our customer load.”
Mr Blanchy said virtual battery agreement is an exciting step for ENGIE and will complement its 150MW/150MWh BESS Hazelwood BESS (Battery Energy Storage System), allowing the utility to offer increased flexibility in its firming portfolio while continuing to develop other physical BESS projects.
“ENGIE GEMS provide energy and risk management solutions to support our clients and counterparts in the transition towards a carbon neutral economy.
“We have been pleased to work with Neoen on this partnership, which will help our customers meet their sustainability goals and contribute to the continuing decarbonisation of Australia’s energy system,” Mr Blanchy said.
“The virtual battery agreement with Neoen’s Victorian Big Battery will commence in late 2024 and will be complemented by a second similar transaction due to start mid-2025.”
Neoen Australia CEO, Jean-Christophe Cheylus, said, “We are delighted to have signed this virtual battery contract with ENGIE. It points once more to how this product meets the evolving needs of our customers.”
