Ballarat Energy Storage System Consortium Delivers Victorian Government Energy Storage Initiative Ahead of Summer

Downer Spotless completed construction of the Ballarat BESS, supplied by Fluence, a Siemens affiliate, in October. The project is owned by AusNet Services and will be operated by EnergyAustralia to provide Victorians with more flexible, reliable and efficient energy, and support the supply of variable forms of renewable energy such as solar and wind power.

The goal of the Ballarat project is to add flexibility to the regional grid. The system is capable of powering more than 20,000 homes for an hour of critical peak demand before being recharged, and is able to respond to changing grid needs within milliseconds. It will operate 24/7 to support critical peak demand, improving grid stability of the state’s energy supply.

 “With the growth of renewable energy solutions entering the market, battery storage will play an increasingly pivotal role in providing reliable power in Australia,” said Sergio Cinerari, CEO Infrastructure Services, Downer Spotless. “It’s an exciting day for us to see this project construction being completed. This project is a critical demonstration of integrating existing and new renewable energy technologies, which will significantly contribute towards our transition to more flexible, affordable and sustainable energy solutions.”

“The successful energisation of this battery marks a real watershed moment in the continuing modernisation of Victoria’s energy supply. Integrating this leading technology into our Ballarat Terminal Station means it is well placed to enhance the stability of the state’s energy supply, especially during the coming summer peak demand periods,” said Nino Ficca, Managing Director of AusNet Services.

EnergyAustralia Managing Director, Catherine Tanna, said the project was a great example of the technologies that are underpinning development of a new, modern energy system in Australia.

“We have a challenge over the next decade managing the reliability of the energy network as coal plants progressively retire,” Ms Tanna said. “Renewable energy is an obvious contributor to filling the gap but it has to be available when it’s needed, even at times when it’s cloudy and windless. That’s where utility-scale batteries come into their own by storing wind and solar energy for quick release, keeping the lights on and costs down.”

“Fluence is proud to join this leading group of partners in bringing our proven and award-winning energy storage technology to Australia,” said Fluence CEO, Stephen Coughlin. “The Ballarat project will add valuable reliability, flexibility, and resilience to the electric grid in Victoria and we expect it will be the first of many such projects in the coming years, both in the state and across Australia.”

Further information: www.spotless.com/bess

Project Imagery - video footage and still images are available for media use.

Ends

Media Contact: Leanne Gough - phone: +61 409 869 154, email: leanne.gough@spotless.com.au

About Downer Spotless: Downer Spotless is a leading provider of integrated facilities services in Australia and New Zealand. Downer Spotless’ 56,000 people, including 15,000 Victorians, deliver millions of service hours a year across more than 100 services that are essential to our customers. Downer Spotless is the consortium lead company for the Victorian Government Energy Storage Initiative responsible for delivering the Battery Energy Storage System in Warrenheip, Ballarat.

 

Spotless is 88 per cent owned by Downer EDI Limited (DOW), and headquartered in Melbourne.

 

About EnergyAustralia: EnergyAustralia provides gas and electricity to more than 2.6 million residential and business customer accounts in Victoria, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Queensland. We supply our customers with energy from wholesale markets and our own coal and gas-fired power stations and renewable energy sources. EnergyAustralia, which has its headquarters in Melbourne, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CLP Group, one of the largest publicly-owned integrated power businesses in the Asia Pacific. EnergyAustralia will be the market operator and trader of the proposed Energy Storage System.

 

About AusNet Services: AusNet Services own and operate the Victorian electricity transmission network, one of five electricity distribution networks, and one of three gas distribution networks in Victoria.

 

AusNet Services Commercial Energy Services group provides a range of energy and infrastructure products and services to business, government, communities and households. These services include metering, asset intelligence and telecommunication solutions, as well as advanced energy management solutions enabling community energy hubs and solar mini grids.

 

AusNet Services will own the Ballarat Energy Storage System.

 

About Fluence: Fluence, a Siemens and AES company, is a global energy storage technology solutions and services company that combines the agility of a technology company with the expertise, vision, and financial backing of two industry powerhouses. Established in 2018, as the successor to industry pioneers AES Energy Storage and Siemens energy storage, Fluence’s goal is to create a more sustainable future by transforming the way we power our world. The company offers proven energy storage technology solutions designed to address the diverse needs and challenges of customers in a rapidly transforming energy landscape, providing design, delivery and integration in over 160 countries. Fluence works closely with customers during every step of their journey and provides advisory, financing, and project lifecycle services. To date, Fluence’s teams have deployed or been awarded over 675 MW in 16 countries.