SEC Victoria has announced the arrival of the third and final transformer at Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub (MREH) for the 600MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
Related article: Grid works underway for Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub
Weighing a massive 335 tonnes, the transformer travelled from the Port of Melbourne to the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub in Plumpton with an oversized load escort in the early hours of the morning to avoid traffic disruption.
A specialised crew worked over three days to complete a precise ‘jack and skate’ process, lifting the transformers and gliding them on to their foundations.
A transformer is an essential piece of equipment for any renewable energy generation or storage project, allowing energy to be sent to the transmission network at a higher voltage, maximising grid performance and reducing transmission losses over long distances.
In an Australian-first for a battery energy storage connection, a 1.75km underground 500kV cable will be used to connect the project to the grid via the Sydenham Terminal Station.
Once all three transformers are connected, they will enable MREH to deliver up to 1.6 gigawatt hours of energy storage into the grid. That’s enough to power 200,000 homes during peak periods.
Related article: Equis begins construction work on Calala Battery
MREH, co-owned with Equis Australia, is on track to be operational later this year.
