Technology group Wärtsilä will supply a 64MW/128MWh energy storage system for Octopus Australia’s Fulham Solar Battery Hybrid project in Gippsland, Victoria.
The project, which pairs the 128MWh DC-coupled battery with an 80MW AC solar farm, marks Wärtsilä’s first collaboration with Octopus Australia, a subsidiary of Octopus Group.
The Fulham project secured Generator Performance Standards (GPS) approval in June 2024 and is one of the first large-scale DC-coupled hybrid battery systems in the National Electricity Market (NEM).
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Securing GPS approval was crucial to ensure the successful design and approval of the innovative DC-coupled hybrid system, with Wärtsilä’s GEMS Power Plant Controller (PPC) technology playing a central role.
The GEMS Hybrid PPC ensures coordination between the solar farm and storage system. It conducts intelligent power control and optimised energy management operations for the entire plant to meet grid requirements and response times, charge and discharge the battery appropriately, and maximise project value.
The project will be built with Wärtsilä’s cutting-edge Quantum High Energy storage technology, recognised for its advanced safety features and enhanced energy density.
“We are excited to support Octopus Australia with the integration and control of this innovative DC-coupled hybrid architecture. The system will enhance renewable energy efficiency, supporting the state of Victoria’s ambitious target to achieve net zero emissions by 2045. The Fulham Battery represents a significant step forward in integrating advanced energy storage solutions into the Australian grid,” Wärtsilä Energy Storage director of sales management David Hebert.
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“We chose to partner with Wärtsilä due to their strong track record as a global integrator, their innovative approach, and their proven ability to support complex projects. We are excited to work together on one of the first DC-coupled large-scale energy storage systems in Australia,” Octopus Australia co-managing director of renewables Sonia Teitel said.
“Their expertise ensures the Fulham Hybrid Battery project will deliver optimised performance.”
Construction on the project has already commenced, with completion expected in 2027. Wärtsilä will also provide a long-term service agreement to guarantee the project’s continued performance and reliability.
