As part of Western Australia’s decarbonisation journey, Synergy plans to deliver 3000MWh of storage capacity by the end of 2025. Energy Source & Distribution looks at the first of the state’s utility-scale energy storage systems, the Kwinana Battery Energy Storage System, which is being constructed over two stages.
Western Australia’s first utility-scale battery, Kwinana Battery Energy Storage System Stage One, was completed in 2023. The 100MW/200MWh battery has been charging and discharging energy into the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) since September 2023.
Related article: Battery systems now in place at Kwinana Stage Two
Construction started on Kwinana Battery Energy Storage System Stage Two in June last year. When completed, it will be state’s biggest grid-connected battery, providing 200MW of power with 800MWh of energy storage—four times that of Kwinana Battery Stage One.
Both batteries are located at the Kwinana Power Station thermal generation site, where Synergy currently operates gas turbines Cockburn and Kwinana.
Synergy future energy manager major project Terrence Loh said the delivery of Kwinana Battery Stage One was made particularly challenging due to pandemic-related global supply chain issues, which delayed the delayed arrival of key equipment.
“While we were unable to expedite delivery dates, we were able to progress other work. This helped minimise the remaining work to be done once the key equipment arrived,” Loh explains.
“Like most businesses, the pandemic also impacted local team productivity, both on and offsite. We put in place strategies to minimise the spread such as daily [COVID-19 testing using] RATs, observing isolation rules, minimising indoor works, elevated hygiene practices and remote work where possible.”
Kwinana Battery Stage Two is being fast tracked because it will be an important asset supporting WA’s transition to renewable energy.
It is being delivered using an integrated project management team, drawing upon partner organisations for engineering and project management expertise to supplement Synergy’s in-house capabilities. Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) has been contracted to supply approximately 300 EnerC Plus, containerised liquid-cooling battery systems for Kwinana Battery Stage Two, with Power Electronics contracted to deliver 72 inverters.
“We proactively secured long lead item production slots for the Kwinana Battery Stage Two batteries and inverters in advance,” Loh says.
“We work with our partners to continually identify opportunities for more efficient construction, supported by smarter contracts that align contractor objectives with Synergy’s key project objectives for health, safety and environmental, schedule, cost and quality.
“We try to use local suppliers and build relationships with key suppliers to ensure cost competitiveness and fast-tracked delivery times.
“When there were disruptions to shipping logistics caused by the Red Sea attacks, we chartered a dedicated ship to transport inverters and switchgear manufactured in Europe via the South Atlantic Ocean and Africa, instead of the Suez Canal. Not only did this maintain our schedule, it brought it forward.”
To date, all 288 containerised battery units have been installed for Kwinana Battery Stage Two and over 85km of DC cable installed.
The next steps are completing the inverter foundations and installing the 72 inverters. The project team will also install more than 4,000m of medium-voltage 33kV cable, including over 500 cable joints. Eight auxiliary power sub/stations and ring main units will be installed. Following this will be tie-in works to connect Kwinana Battery Stage Two to the switchyard installed on Kwinana Battery Stage One.
Stage Two of the Kwinana Battery will be completed in 2024.
Related article: $1b contracts awarded for Kwinana and Collie batteries
Synergy’s pipeline of energy storage will play a critical role in optimising the performance of its renewable generation assets.
Executive general manager future energy Kurt Baker said, “Our successful project delivery is all about people and relationships. Synergy has demonstrated that bringing together a highly engaged team of capable people that are aligned to the project’s purpose ensures that the project will achieve its objectives.”
