AGL has commenced full operation of Queensland’s largest operational commercial scale battery near Wandoan, delivering 100 megawatts (MW) of capacity to the grid and storing 150 megawatt hours (MWh) of renewable energy.

The Wandoan South Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is owned by Vena Energy Australia, and construction commenced in 2020.

Following successful testing and commissioning over the past 18 months, full operational dispatch rights of the Wandoan BESS have now been formally handed over to Australia’s largest electricity provider, AGL, on a fixed long-term contract for 15 years.

AGL Chief Operating Officer, Markus Brokhof said the Wandoan South BESS will be capable of dispatching 100 MW of power to the grid during periods when renewable generators are less available due to lack of wind and sun, the equivalent of powering 57,000 homes.

“During the day when renewables are online, the Wandoan South BESS is able to store this energy and then release it when the sun isn’t shining, the wind isn’t blowing, or other forms of generation are offline,” Mr Brokhof said.

“This is important for providing security to the energy market and avoiding system constraints, particularly in areas like the Darling Downs with a large local load and the potential for a high renewable energy build over the coming decade.”

“Now that it is fully operational, we’re very pleased to be able to offer our customers secure, reliable, clean energy with the addition of the Wandoan South BESS,” Mr Brokhof said.

“Storage projects like the Wandoan South BESS will enable AGL to leverage excess solar generation in Queensland and provide capacity when the AGL’s Cooper’s Gap Wind Farm in Queensland is not generating or when the energy market needs it.”

“As the need for renewable energy in the generation mix continues to increase, technologies such as the Wandoan South BESS will be capable of storing clean energy during times of low demand and dispatched at times of low production or peak demand, making it the best solution to address the intermittency of renewable energy,” said Owen Sela, Head of Vena Energy Australia.

“Over the past 20 years, AGL has invested $4.8 billion in renewable and firming generation, with more than 2,350 MW of new generation capacity added to the grid since 2003,” Mr Brokhof said.