The world’s largest battery, Hornsdale Power Reserve, is being expanded by 50 per cent to improve grid security and maximise the benefits of renewable energy.
International renewable energy developer Neoen, which owns the landmark “big battery” in South Australia, will expand the capacity of the battery to 150MW/181.5 MWh.
The expansion provides an Australian first large-scale demonstration of the potential for battery storage to provide stabilising inertia services that are critical to the future integration of renewable energy.
The Hornsdale Power Reserve, which uses Tesla’s Powerpacks, saved electricity consumers more than $50 million during its first year of operation and its expansion will support South Australia’s increased use of wind and solar energy.
The expanded battery capacity is expected to be online by mid 2020. It will continue to offer frequency control services to respond to grid events and help AEMO manage system security while demonstrating the market potential of grid technologies.
The CEFC, working alongside Neoen, ARENA and the South Australian Government, has committed up to $50 million in project finance for the expansion. It’s the first CEFC financing of a stand-alone NEM-connected battery.