South Australia’s lower Yorke Peninsula will benefit from improved power security and reliability following the completion of ElectraNet’s 30 MW large-scale battery. Built at Dalrymple, on the Yorke Peninsula near the Wattle Point Wind Farm, this large-scale battery is the first certified indoor battery in Australia connected to the energy grid, and it will be operated by AGL.
General Manager Development and Construction, Dave Johnson, said that AGL was proud to be operating the battery in the national market.
“This battery will enhance security in the South Australian system and follows the launch of our Virtual Power Plant in SA,” Dave said. "Energy storage technologies like this will create a bright future for low-cost power from renewables and that’s good news for households and business.”
ElectraNet’s battery project received part-funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) with construction completed in April 2018, followed by commissioning and testing.
The battery system will be operated by AGL and will rely on input from our Wattle Point Wind Farm, as well as rooftop solar.
What’s the role of batteries?
The ElectraNet battery will enhance security in the South Australian system and follows the launch of AGL’s Virtual Power Plant in SA.
For AGL, as our traditional coal-fired power stations progressively reach the end of their operating life, we have had to think about how to replace them at the least cost. We've done the sums and what makes the most sense is cheap, renewable energy from wind and solar, combined with more flexible and firming energy sources (like quick-start gas generation and large-scale battery storage - like the ESCRI), that can supply energy during peak periods or whenever renewables aren't available. This is an energy mix.
What’s in our energy mix now?
- remaining coal-fired power,
- renewable energy from wind, solar and hydro,
- flexible generation like pumped hydro or quick-start gas-fired generation like Barker Inlet Power Station which is currently under construction,
- and now, a large-scale battery that can store and supply energy when we need it most.
Read more about the Yorke Peninsula battery and AGL’s generation portfolio in our interactive asset map.