Stanwell advances battery storage plans

27 May 2021

Stanwell is progressing detailed plans for a large-scale standalone battery at Tarong Power Station. The proposed 150 megawatt (MW) battery energy storage system (BESS) will help support energy system security and reliability.

Stanwell acting CEO Adam Aspinall said large-scale energy storage would play an important role in Queensland’s future as higher levels of renewable energy entered the system.

“According to the Australian Energy Market Operator’s 2020 Final Integrated System Plan, over 3,600 MW of new large-scale energy storage will be required in Queensland over the next 20 years,” Mr Aspinall said.

“Energy storage will be critical as it helps facilitate the integration of renewable energy into the energy system by storing electricity generated by wind and solar and supplying it to the market when required.”

Mr Aspinall said Stanwell had recently completed a battery storage feasibility study and was now focussed on completing Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) work with a view to reaching a final investment decision in the second half of 2021.

“Our feasibility study found that there were commercial opportunities in locating a large-scale energy storage system in southern Queensland,” he said.

“By locating battery storage at Tarong Power Station, we can capitalise on existing land and connection infrastructure, support the investment in renewables within the region and help maintain system security and reliability.

“The project would also provide local employment opportunities, creating 80 full time jobs over the eight-month construction phase, and 6 full time jobs over the 20-year operation and maintenance phase.

“Assuming positive results from the FEED study, the initial 150 MW battery with two hours storage would commence operation in 2023.

“The opportunity to extend the battery’s storage capacity for further deployment between 2025 and 2030 would be considered at a later date.”

Mr Aspinall confirmed that Stanwell has lodged two connection enquiries with Powerlink for a battery facility at each of the Tarong power station and the Stanwell power station sites.

Mr Aspinall confirmed that Stanwell had been investigating energy storage opportunities since early 2018.

“As a business, we are investigating a range of future energy solutions to ensure we are in the best position possible to respond to changing market conditions and to meet customer needs and community sentiment for greener products and lower emissions,” he said.

“We are investigating a range of opportunities to incorporate technologies into our asset portfolio, including hydrogen, energy storage, wind, solar and bioenergy.”