Eku Energy and Shell Energy, together with minority equity partner and owner of Rangebank Business Park, Perfection Private, have marked a significant milestone with the completion of Victoria’s second biggest battery, the Rangebank Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
The Rangebank BESS is a 200MW/400MWh battery energy storage system located approximately 40km south-east of Melbourne CBD in Cranbourne West, Victoria. It connects directly into the AusNet 220/500kV Cranbourne Terminal Station, and is built, operated and serviced by Fluence—a leading global provider of energy storage products and services.
Rangebank BESS will play a crucial role in helping stabilise Victoria’s state electricity supply by providing additional storage capacity which can be discharged to power 80,000 homes for an hour during peak demand periods.
For Eku Energy, Rangebank BESS is the third battery it has completed globally, adding to a growing portfolio of more than 50 projects in the pipeline.
“Rangebank BESS represents a significant achievement for Eku Energy and further demonstrates our commitment to advancing battery storage solutions worldwide. It’s an honour to work alongside our partners to deliver innovative, impactful energy solutions for a sustainable future,” Eku Energy chief operating officer Tom Best explains.
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Under a tolling agreement, Shell Energy will have access to 100% of the battery’s capacity over the next 20 years, strengthening its growing battery portfolio. Rangebank BESS is an important addition to Shell Energy’s battery portfolio, being the company’s first grid-scale battery investment in Victoria and its first direct equity investment in a utility-scale BESS globally.
“It will help support a more resilient power system in Victoria, and a more reliable energy supply for our customers as the energy market continues to evolve,” Shell Energy Australia CEO Tony Keeling says.
“This project demonstrates how dispatchable power like battery storage complements renewables, in this case being located in one of Victoria’s fasting growing population corridors.”
Rangebank BESS features an innovative design, including a single contiguous concrete slab, which simplified equipment installation as delivery vehicles could discharge the equipment within close proximity to its final position. Not only did this minimise double handling but it also reduced the need for large lift cranes given the discharge proximity and reduction in lift distance/crane reach.
The battery also features externally located high-voltage cabling that ensures simple access for maintenance and improves operational efficiency throughout the lifespan of the project. Construction partner and BESS supplier Fluence will be responsible for ongoing servicing and maintenance of the system.
It has been developed on strategically located land in a key urban growth corridor within Melbourne, zoned as Urban Growth Zone. Land neighbouring the business park is in use by high-voltage transmission assets, rail transport, industrial and manufacturing, residential, and community and recreational purposes. The Rangebank BESS is providing key energy storage capacity close to Melbourne’s demand centre.
According to Eku Energy chief operating officer Tom Best, the main project challenges included providing for a safe working environment with the weather conditions, particularly with rainfall impacting site works.
An additional challenge, he says, was designing the BESS within the constrained footprint while ensuring compliance with strict planning requirements given the development’s urban proximity.
“Working within the confined footprint and phasing the construction disciplines from earthworks to civil, mechanical, electrical and commissioning [was challenging]. The single-slab approach supported this by completing bulk earthworks and civil foundations before mobilising mechanical teams.”
Despite these issues, Best says the project was successfully completed and commissioned as per the original timeline.
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“AusNet played a key role in completing connection works within the Cranbourne Switching Station, which were delivered on time and on budget, contributing to the project’s overall success,” Best says.
“AusNet was also responsible for the design, construction and commissioning of the new CBTS connection bay works. AusNet supported the BESS in the buried 220kV cable (approximately 550m) route selection and termination within the new bay, taking into consideration future CBTS expansion works.
We also want to mention Fluence and RJE Global for their expertise in the BESS design, supply and construction, and AEMO for their support in the generator registration, energisation and R1 testing work. AEMO’s commitment delivered our completion prior to the 2024 break.”
Best says Eku Energy is proud to deliver enduring benefits back to a range of not-for-profit organisations within the City of Casey Local Government Area.
“Through our Rangebank BESS Community Grants initiative, we are grateful for the opportunity to expand additional literacy resources, STEM programs, improve access to community sports for students, and expand free food services for disadvantaged and in-need community members.”
