Big battery to deliver additional renewable energy to Riverina customers

Australia’s largest transmission business has contracted Riverina and Darlington Point Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to allow up to 120MW of additional capacity on a constrained section of the Transgrid network between Darlington Point and Wagga Wagga.

The Riverina and Darlington Point BESS facilities are providing voltage support services to Transgrid, allowing additional renewable energy to be delivered to customers in time for the warmer months when solar generation ramps up as the days get longer.

The services provided by the combined 150MW/300MWh lithium-ion battery, owned by Federation Asset Management and Edify Energy, will also provide flexibility in the planning of future network augmentations including the South West Renewable Energy Zone and nation-critical VNI West project.

Transgrid Executive General Manager of Network Marie Jordan said: “We are embracing innovation to continually improve how we manage the network and drive efficiency in delivering access to cleaner and cheaper renewable energy to local families and businesses.

“Transgrid is going beyond the traditional poles and wires approach and seeking innovative, faster and lower-cost alternatives to increase system stability and reliability and keep energy prices as low as possible for consumers.

“South West NSW has seen significant growth in renewable generation connections to the transmission network and this trend, which is forecast to continue, is having an impact on how this part of the power system operates.

“Transgrid’s contracts with the Riverina and Darlington Point BESS facilities unlock extra capacity on the existing transmission network and deliver additional renewable energy to local households and businesses without the need to build a new transmission line between Wagga Wagga and Darlington Point.

“This is Transgrid’s first contracted non-network solution to come into service with more to follow in other parts of NSW. These non-network solutions and technologies allow consumers to benefit from existing transmission infrastructure, avoiding the cost of building new towers and lines.”

Edify Energy Chief Executive John Cole said: “Large-scale batteries are revolutionising the energy landscape by time-shifting power to not only provide grid stability but also ensure clean energy is delivered at the lowest possible cost. We’re proud of our expertise in designing and delivering this advanced technology, and we’re delighted to support Transgrid in bringing more affordable, clean energy to the Riverina community.”

Federation Asset Management co-founder and head of renewable energy Stephen Panizza said: “As the nation’s ageing coal plants retire, the need for energy storage becomes ever more pressing. Advanced grid-forming batteries like the Riverina BESS are critical to extracting the maximum capacity from our existing grid infrastructure, allowing timely integration of additional wind and solar generation into the National Electricity Market while our grid infrastructure is upgraded.”

To find out more about how Transgrid is developing non-network solutions to meet the needs of the consumers through the energy transition, see Chapter 3 of the 2024 Transmission Annual Planning Report (TAPR).

For further information about this project visit: https://www.transgrid.com.au/projects-innovation/improving-stability-in-south-west-nsw.

Media enquiries: Mark Nolan 0429 047 136