Renewable energy innovator Flow Power has used pioneering integrated technology to transform a former racecourse in South Australia into a cutting-edge facility for generating and storing solar power.
The Berri Energy Project, located 240km northeast of Adelaide, has switched on 9,800 new solar panels and 18 battery racks and will export 11,500MWh of clean solar energy to the grid annually.
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The technology behind the new smart solar farm is the first of its kind operationalised in Australia. It features a 5.8MW single axis tracking solar photovoltaic (PV) system with 6.7MWh of DC-coupled Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). This unique setup allows the site to be run as a standard solar farm when demand and prices are low, while simultaneously charging the batteries. The batteries can then be turned on and export energy back to the grid when demand and prices are high.
Flow Power COO Byron Serjeantson said the launch of commercial operations was “an exciting milestone as our first storage project and one of the first demonstrations of utility-scale DC-coupled storage in Australia”.
“Rolling this tech out is a big step forward and we expect to see many more like it in the future. By offering the choice to store or export power depending on market conditions, the Berri site is making renewables more flexible and ultimately more competitive in our transforming energy market,” he said.
The project incorporates technology from Canadian Solar, SMA, Nextracker and CATL and utilises Flow Power’s proprietary kWatch Controller, smart technology that enables users to remotely respond to market price signals, optimising and automating the management of energy systems. It’s also equipped with Frequency Control Ancillary Services (FCAS) technology to support the network and ultimately help to prevent blackouts and outages.
The Berri Energy Project brings the fast-growing retailer’s total renewable energy portfolio close to 450 MW of owned and contracted wind, solar and storage projects.
“As an energy retailer, Flow Power has an important ability, and responsibility, to play a leading role in accelerating the renewable energy transition. We see the power and economics of customer-side participation and energy storage as essential to supporting new renewable energy generation entering the market,” Serjeanston said.
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“This project showcases the hard work and success of our team, suppliers, contractors and network operator SAPN in reaching Commercial Operations, as well as the innovative new renewable energy retail solutions Flow Power is able to provide to our customers.”
The project has also established a community fund, donating $190,000 over the project’s lifetime to support local and South Australian initiatives. These initiatives will include expanded access to renewable energy in the region, environmental initiatives and supporting STEM education opportunities.
