Transgrid has engaged a big battery to increase the capacity of its network in the Riverina and deliver extra renewable energy to households and businesses without building new transmission infrastructure.
It 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 it is about “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,” she said.
“South West New South Wales 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 New South Wales.
“These non-network solutions and technologies allow consumers to benefit from existing transmission infrastructure, avoiding the cost of building new towers and lines.”
The VNI West project runs from near Jerilderie to near Swan Hill, passing through Conargo, Wanganella and Moulamein regions before connecting with the Victorian section at the Murray River in Murrabit.
The proposed transmission line corridor for the NSW section of the network project was released earlier this month and is now open for community consultation.
For more information about the project visit www.transgrid.com.au/vniw.