Wärtsilä Corporation has announced plans to deliver Australia’s largest DC-coupled hybrid battery energy storage system, marking a significant advancement in the country’s renewable energy landscape. This project will be Wärtsilä’s second DC-coupled initiative in Australia and is expected to be operational by 2028.
The new battery system will have the capacity to power approximately 120,000 homes and businesses, underscoring its potential impact on Australia’s renewable energy goals. The project has received approval for its Generator Performance Standards (GPS), a critical step in ensuring the effective integration of renewable generation and storage.
DC-coupled systems directly connect solar generation with battery storage through a DC/DC converter, which minimizes energy losses and enhances project economics. This architecture is becoming increasingly important as Australia seeks to stabilize its grid amid rising solar and wind curtailment.
David Hebert, Vice President of Global Sales Management at Wärtsilä Energy Storage, emphasized the significance of this project, stating, “This project is significantly larger than our earlier DC-coupled project, underscoring the need for this type of technology in expanding at scale.” He highlighted that the project represents a crucial step towards establishing a financially viable renewable energy future in Australia.
Wärtsilä’s intelligent controls and optimization software, known as GEMS, will play a pivotal role in managing the integration of the energy storage system with solar assets and the grid. The GEMS Hybrid Power Plant Controller will ensure efficient coordination between the solar farm and the storage system, optimizing energy management operations to meet grid requirements.
This initiative will expand Wärtsilä’s local footprint to a total of 1.5 GW / 5.5 GWh of capacity across nine battery energy storage system sites in Australia. The project aligns with Australia’s net-zero emissions target by 2045, contributing significantly to the country’s decarbonization efforts.
As the demand for renewable energy solutions grows, projects like this highlight the importance of innovative technologies in achieving a sustainable energy future. The successful implementation of this hybrid battery system could serve as a model for similar projects worldwide, showcasing the potential of DC-coupled technology in enhancing grid stability and efficiency.
This article was submitted via the World of Renewables press desk.
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