Australia’s largest electricity gen-tailer AGL is a step closer to connecting a 250MW/250MWh grid-wide battery on South Australia’s Torrens Island after receiving approval from the Australian Energy Market Operator.
AGL’s $180 million Torrens Island battery energy storage system is nearing commercial use with South Australian electricity transmission network owner ElectraNet confirming it has executed a transmission connection agreement following approval of Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) performance standards.
The one-hour battery is being developed at the site of AGL’s gas-fired Torrens Island power station and will be used to support South Australia’s energy transition, providing essential capacity when renewable energy production is affected and during periods of high demand.
“Full powering and commissioning of AGL’s Torrens Island battery will take place over the next few weeks.” Niketan Tyagi, who is responsible for customer relations at Electranet, said.
“We have provided essential support in the testing and commissioning of this project’s auxiliary load pending approval of the required performance standards by the Australian Energy Market Operator and our team.”
Thomas Hill, AGL’s director of battery projects, said the completion of the affiliation agreement is a significant milestone for the energy storage system, which features grid-forming technology and will initially focus on providing grid services.
Photo: Wärtsilä
The battery supplied by the Finnish technology company Wärtsilä will initially have a size of 250 MW and 250 MWh, but expansion plans allow up to 1,000 MWh, or four hours of storage capacity.
“The Torrens Island battery is an important asset for both AGL’s portfolio and the state of South Australia,” Hill said.
“The battery supports the increase in renewable energy, improves the safety and reliability of the network, and helps lower the price of electricity. It is also a key pillar of our plan to transform the Torrens Island region into an integrated low-carbon industrial energy hub.
The Torrens Island project is part of AGL’s aim to secure and establish 5 GW of new renewable energy by 2030, expanding the 2.9 GW of renewable generation and storage projects in active planning and development.
The company’s other energy storage projects include a 200 MW, four-hour grid-wide battery being built at the Loy Yang A power station in Victoria, and a 500 MW/2 GWh battery in the near future. closed the Liddell power station in New South Wales.
It has received approval from NSW planning authorities for a 50MW/100MWh battery in Broken Hill and has announced an agreement with Maoneng Group to purchase capacity from four 50MW/100MWh batteries in NSW and is already running 100MW of capacity. /150 MWh Wandoan South battery in Queensland and 30 MW/8MWh BESS at Dalrymple in South Australia.
