Bulk earthworks have kicked off on a $747 million mega battery project at the Stanwell power station near Rockhampton.
Stanwell is partnering with Tesla and Yurika to build the giant 300MW / 1200MWh system, described as being capable of supplying energy into the grid for up to four hours.
The Stanwell Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) will include 324 lithium-ion Tesla Megapack 2XL units which will be transported on trucks to site and craned into place.
Related: Stanwell Asset Maintenance Company (SAMCo) will present an overview of SAMCo’s renewable energy and maintenance operations and its challenges and opportunities for Queensland’s resource and construction supply chain at the Connecting Industry Luncheon on February 19. Connect here for more information.
It is a key part of the Clean Energy Hub being developed at the coal-fired power plant site.
Work has also reached the halfway mark on Stanwell’s first dispatchable energy (storage) project, the $514 million Tarong mega battery project, part of what will be the Tarong Clean Energy Hub.
Construction on the 300MW / 600MWh project with two hours storage commenced in August 2023 and is due to be fully operational mid-2025.
The heavy lifting on all 164 Tesla Megapack 2XL battery units has been completed, with work now underway to connect them to the transformers.
“Dispatchable energy assets like our Stanwell and Tarong big battery projects are critical as we transform our energy system,” Stanwell chief executive officer Michael O’Rourke said.
“The big batteries will play a crucial role in the energy transformation by stabilising energy supply from clean renewable sources, meaning they’ll be able to be charged by sources like wind and solar and pumped back into the grid during periods of high demand.
“This will ensure affordable and reliable electricity for our commercial and industrial customers in Queensland and the Eastern Seaboard.
“They are a key piece of our commitment to achieving 5GW of energy storage by 2035 and highlights Stanwell’s vision for a sustainable and innovative energy future.”
