The Riverina battery system, a groundbreaking project by Edify Energy and Federation Asset Management, has achieved a significant milestone in Australia. Comprising three distinct yet interconnected units, this innovative energy storage system, known as the Riverina battery system, is now operational. It has secured long-term contracts with Shell Energy and EnergyAustralia, spanning a decade.
Situated adjacent to the 275 MW Darlington Point Solar Farm in the Riverina region. The system comprises the Riverina 1 (60 MW/120 MWh), Riverina 2 (65 MW/130 MWh), and Darlington Point (25 MW/50 MWh) battery energy storage systems. Together, they can generate enough electricity to power 240,000 homes for two hours during peak demand periods.
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Revolutionizing Energy Storage: The Riverina Battery System Powers Up Australia’s Future
Edify’s CEO, John Cole, expressed enthusiasm for the grid-forming battery system, describing it as a game-changer. He outlined the technology’s role in addressing wind and solar intermittency, essential for Australia’s clean energy transition. Additionally, Cole emphasized, “The potential for battery storage technology is immense and aligns perfectly with Australia’s abundant renewable resources.”
The Riverina battery system employs Tesla Megapacks equipped with grid-forming inverters, which operate in a ‘virtual synchronous generator’ mode. This enables the system to mimic traditional generators, ensuring stability and supporting future clean energy projects in the region.
As Australia’s aging coal plants retire, Stephen Panizza of Federation Asset Management highlighted the growing significance of large-scale energy storage. He emphasized the need for advanced grid-forming batteries like Riverina BESS to maximize grid capacity for seamless renewable integration.
Notably, the Riverina battery system represents the largest battery energy storage system currently connected to the National Electricity Market in New South Wales (NSW), surpassing the Wallgrove Grid Battery in western Sydney (50 MW/75 MWh). However, numerous mega-scale batteries are in the pipeline for New South Wales.
Origin Energy has initiated construction of the first phase of a planned 700 MW/2,800 MWh battery at its Eraring coal-fired power plant site in the Hunter region. This initial stage includes a 460 MW battery storage system with a two-hour dispatch duration. Neoen announced a 500 MW/1,000 MWh battery project at the former Wallerawang coal power station in the Central Tablelands region. Additionally, Shell Energy and Energy Australia are exploring 500 MW/1,000 MWh battery projects at various locations in NSW.
In conclusion, the Riverina battery system stands as a pivotal achievement in Australia’s clean energy journey, setting new standards for sustainable power generation and storage.
