Habitat Energy will provide trading and optimisation services for two of Octopus Australia’s DC-coupled solar and battery storage projects.
By directly connecting the batteries to the solar farms, the projects can capture more renewable energy, reduce losses and store electricity for when demand is highest.
The portfolio includes the Fulham 80MW Solar Farm and 64MW/128MWh Battery in Gippsland, Victoria, which is due to be operational in 2027, and the Blind Creek 300MW Solar Farm and 243MW/486MWh Battery in Bungendore, NSW, which is due to be operational in 2028.
Related article: Flow Power inks offtake deal for Blind Creek Solar and BESS
Together, the projects will generate enough clean energy to power the equivalent of more than 150,000 Australian homes.
As the designated optimiser, Habitat Energy will use its proprietary algorithmic forecasting and trading platform, combined with expert traders overseeing bidding and dispatch, to co-optimise the solar and storage.
This approach balances complex weather patterns and price signals with asset, site and contractual requirements to maximise the value of low cost renewable power.
To streamline integration into the National Electricity Market (NEM), Habitat Energy has developed digital twins of the Fulham and Blind Creek sites. These models allow Habitat and Octopus to conduct rigorous stress-testing and pre-operational planning, ensuring the assets are ‘market-ready’ from day one.
Habitat Energy Australia managing director Greg Billman said, “Co-optimising solar and storage is the key to delivering affordable, reliable clean power but it requires a specialist skillset—one Habitat has honed in some of the world’s largest energy storage markets.
“We’re looking forward to bringing our tools and expertise to bear in partnership with Octopus Australia, who have rapidly established themselves as a leading force in Australia’s clean energy transition.”
Octopus Australia CEO Sam Reynolds said, “Renewable energy becomes far more valuable when you can decide not just how it’s generated, but when it’s delivered.
Related article: Octopus Australia to build nation’s biggest battery in NSW
“Our strategy is to build portfolios where solar and batteries operate as one, creating the kind of firm, dispatchable power customers have traditionally relied on from coal-fired generation. Habitat’s optimisation capability helps us do exactly that, improving reliability, creating more value for our investors and delivering lower-cost electricity for customers.”
Habitat Energy’s Australian portfolio includes the 250MW Williamsdale BESS in the ACT and the 100MW Mannum BESS in South Australia.
