X-Elio is to add a 148MW battery energy storage system (BESS) to its Blue Grass solar farm, located in Queensland’s Western Downs, in Australia.
The BESS will be constructed in two stages.
The first stage, which is expected to reach mechanical completion by Q3 2025, will comprise a 60MW BESS.
The second stage will deliver another 88MW BESS and is expected to reach mechanical completion by Q3 2026.
When completed, Blue Grass will be X-Elio’s first hybrid solar and storage project in Australia.
The solar farm (pictured), officially inaugurated in November 2022, boasts a capacity of 200MW and was originally developed to support Queensland’s Renewable Energy Target (QRET).
The expansion of the solar farm with BESS technology will enhance the existing infrastructure, allowing it to deploy a grid-forming battery inverters, and transforming the plant into a hybrid power source capable of providing essential grid services.
The integration of BESS will allow the solar farm to store excess energy generated during peak solar hours and release it when demand is high or when solar generation is lower, enabling participation in grid services and enhancing both energy reliability and grid stability.
This is the result of the collaboration between X-Elio and technology partners Ingeteam and Narada.
Mirko Molinari, CCO of X-Elio, said: “This project will support grid resiliency in Queensland and enhance our solar farm’s resilience to price volatility.
“We are excited about the prospects of BESS in Australia and believe its deployment greatly supports grids with high renewables penetration.”