AGL will officially open its 250 MW / 250 MWh grid-scale battery – roughly the same size as the Adelaide oval – at Torrens Island in Adelaide today.
AGL CEO, Damien Nicks, said it is AGL’s first operational grid-scale battery.
“This is a significant milestone in AGL’s transition journey as we continue to accelerate the build out of up to 12 GW of renewable and firming capacity by 2035, playing our part in Australia’s energy transition,” he said.
“This battery is the second largest battery in Australia. It will provide enough electricity to power approximately 75,000 South Australian homes for one hour – with the option to extend the duration to four hours in the future when the market is ready.
“We are taking action to deliver on our transition goals – this battery was constructed within 18 months – a great example of what can be achieved when government, regulators and the private sector are all working together.
“On this very site in the past four years, we have announced the closure of a thermal power station, built a flexible peaking plant and commissioned the second largest battery in Australia – this is the energy transition in action.”
AGL COO, Markus Brokhof, said the battery will provide additional capacity and flexibility for the grid.
“At the height of construction there were about 110 people working on this battery – growing the workforce capability we need for the energy transition,” Brokhof said.
“South Australia has the largest penetration of rooftop solar in Australia. This battery will respond to the requirements of the SA grid in milliseconds providing additional capacity and frequency control services when the system requires it.
“The technology which makes up this battery is remarkable. There are 218 battery cabinets housing more than 6,000 battery modules.”
Wärtsilä is partnering with AGL to help balance the intermittency of renewables and provide flexible energy capacity, while reducing their operational and lifetime costs.
Wärtsilä VP of energy storage & optimisation, Andy Tang, said Australia's energy transition is all about balance.
Tang said this landmark project is helping Australia take a major step towards a 100% renewable grid and its net-zero emissions targets.
As part of AGL’s Climate Transition Action Plan, the company aims to add ~12 GW of generation and firming by the end of 2035 – comprised of ~6.3 GW of renewables and ~5.9 GW of firming.
SA Energy Minister, Tom Koutsantonis, said more than 70 per cent of South Australia’s electricity is supplied by renewables.
“We can then supply energy after the sun goes down, potentially putting downward pressure on price,” he said.