MPower awarded contract for NSW’s largest grid support battery

MPower has been awarded the contract to design, build and install a 1MWh battery at West Dapto.

The Endeavour Energy trial will be NSW’s largest grid support battery energy storage system, to be located at the site of the future West Dapto Zone Substation.

Endeavour Energy asset management general manager Ty Christopher said the trial was set against a backdrop of dramatic changes for network businesses in the way they connect customers and communities to the grid.

“These changes are being driven by customers embracing new technologies such as solar and battery storage and taking greater control through access to real-time data about their energy use,” he said.

“As part of this transition, our customers have told us they want us to be working to secure their future electricity supply and help them reduce their electricity bills.

“The experience gained from this trial will help us build and operate a secure, reliable and affordable network in the future.”

Mr Christopher said the cost of battery storage is expected to continually decline in line with improvements in the technology.

“Battery storage systems have significant potential to reduce network capital costs, help manage load growth, peak demand, power quality and supply interruptions.

“This trial will allow Endeavour Energy to quantify the benefits of battery storage in a real, grid-scale setting and provide us the expertise to utilise this technology as future needs arise.

“We believe battery energy storage at West Dapto could reduce network investment by up to $1 million per year to keep downward pressure on our network charges.”

MPower projects managing director Anthony Csillag said the project is a shining example of how energy storage can be used for critical application.

“It adds a new era technology into the grid that performs like other generators on the network, particularly in relation to network control and protection,” he said.

“The system will also resynchronise to the grid seamlessly to transition from islanded operation to grid connected operation.”

Endeavour Energy’s grid support battery energy trial is expected to be fully operational by the summer of 2018.

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