Flow Power begins 223 MWh Australian battery, plans 1.2 GWh expansion

Victoria-based gentailer Flow Power has begun construction of its 100 MW/223 MWh Bennetts Creek Battery project and has announced a proposed 300 MW/1.2 GWh stage two, to be built beside stage one.

Bennetts Creek Battery Stage One is scheduled to be fully operational by 2028 and will be the largest battery energy storage system (BESS) in Flow Power’s portfolio. The project is located at Hazelwood North in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley, adjacent to the Morwell Terminal Station.

The Bennetts Creek BESS will be built on 2.3 hectares and will support the integration of existing renewable energy generation into the Victorian grid during peak times and help place downward pressure on wholesale electricity prices.

Finnish manufacturer Wärtsilä is providing battery technology and intelligent control systems for the project using Wärtsilä’s Quantum hardware, a fully integrated, modular, and compact energy storage system (ESS).

Wärtsilä’s GEMS optimization software will serve as the project’s intelligent power plant controller, managing the integration of the energy storage system.

GEMS conducts intelligent power control and optimized energy management operations for the entire plant to meet grid requirements and response times, charge and discharge the battery appropriately, and maximize project value.

The project will be delivered under an engineered equipment delivery (EEQ) contract with Wärtsilä providing guaranteed asset performance under a separate long-term service agreement.

Australia engineering services company Zenviron will be responsible for balance of plant design, construction, installation and commissioning.

Flow Power Chief Operating Officer Byron Serjeantson said initiating construction and announcing a second stage to the Bennetts Creek BESS represents Flow Power’s continued investment in Victoria’s energy future.

“Projects like this are critical to supporting the integration of more renewable energy into the grid, while helping deliver the reliable and affordable energy households and businesses need,” Serjeanston said.

Bennetts Creek stage two is in the early planning phase, with Flow Power undertaking initial environmental, noise and cultural heritage investigations.

An application for Development Approval (DA) is being prepared for the Department of Transport and Planning, and Flow Power is seeking community input as part of the consultation process.

From pv magazine Australia