Western Power has announced a proposed investment in up to an extra 50MW of battery storage for the South West Interconnected System (SWIS), outlined in its Distribution Storage Opportunities Information Plan.
The proposed investment is separate to the Synergy 100MW big battery and will be used in areas of the south-west grid that have been identified as providing network and community benefits.
A key part of the proposed investment is driving future capability for Australian businesses to be a part of the energy storage industry through the manufacture, installation and operation of community and behind the meter batteries.
Western Power Principal Engineer, Nathan Kirby, said planning for energy storage was a key deliverable under WA Distributed Energy Resources Roadmap and part of the state’s Energy Transformation Strategy.
“The plan outlines opportunities where we can work with private industry and WA businesses to obtain distribution storage services and installations across the network, including residential and commercial customer batteries as well as flexible loads and other innovative demand reduction services,” Mr Kirby said.
“This will help meet emerging network needs as well as providing operational cost efficiencies and greater community benefits.”
To support this initiative, Western Power is seeking Registrations of Interest from industry and retailers interested in providing non-network solutions including behind the meter batteries in specific locations.
“This proposed further investment follows the delivery of 12 community batteries during the last 18 months to help meet Western Australia’s energy needs now and, in the future,” Mr Kirby said.
“Batteries deliver a range of network and customer benefits, particularly with the growth of solar where we now have one in three households with solar panels.
“Community batteries and other storage options all play an important role in ensuring power system stability and security while providing a viable alternative to traditional energy options.”
Click here to read the Distribution Storage Opportunities Information Plan.
