Neoen has started operations at its 300MW/450 megawatt-hour Victorian Big Battery energy storage project in Australia.
The facility is located next to Moorabool Terminal Station in Geelong, Victoria.
It was delivered in collaboration with Tesla, deploying its Megapack technology, and network partner AusNet Services.
The Victorian Big Battery has a 250MW System Integrity Protection Scheme (SIPS) contract with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).
SIPS was initiated by the Victorian Government and unlocks up to 250MW of additional peak capacity on the existing Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector over the next decade of Australian summers.
Under the contract, the battery will provide an automatic instant response in the event of an unexpected network outage, providing AEMO with an additional means of ensuring grid stability.
The battery will also participate in the National Electricity Market and support increased penetration of renewables in Victoria through network services such as fast frequency control.
The battery has also brought an economic boost to the Geelong region through the Covid lockdown period, creating over 150 construction jobs and six full-time positions.
Local suppliers have been contracted for multiple elements of the project and community initiatives will be supported through an annual Community Benefit Fund over the asset’s lifetime.
Neoen Australia managing director Louis de Sambucy said: “We are extremely proud to have delivered the largest battery in Australia in record time.
“I would like to thank everyone who has worked tirelessly to make this happen; our partners at Tesla and AusNet, UGL and Downer, as well as AEMO and the Victorian Government.
“We are honoured to be contributing a project of this scale and innovation.
“With 2GW of projects in our pipeline in Victoria, we are committed to continuing to play our part in Victoria’s renewable energy transition.”
Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio said: “The Victorian Government is proud to flick the switch on Australia’s biggest battery which will help protect our network in summer, support our renewable revolution, and slash energy prices.
“Neoen’s battery is a fantastic achievement as Victoria transitions to our legislated targets of 50% renewables by 2030 and net zero by 2050.”
AEMO chief executive Daniel Westerman said: “AEMO’s partnership with the Victorian Government and Neoen has delivered one of the world’s largest batteries, which will enable a more reliable and secure electricity supply for Victorian consumers.”
Neoen chairman and chief executive Xavier Barbaro said: “The delivery of the Victorian Big Battery is a major achievement for Neoen, not only because it is one of the largest batteries in the world, but also because it represents another key milestone in terms of innovation.
“Our journey in storage began in Australia in 2015 and we now have over half a gigawatt of storage operating across three continents.
“We are convinced that large-scale battery storage is a vital element of the energy transition, and we are proud of our leadership in this sector.
“We will continue to build on our experience to deliver world-leading solutions that help to shape and transform the grid of the future, for the benefit of industry and consumers across Australia and around the globe.”