Multinational automotive and clean energy giant Tesla has partnered with Queensland’s publicly traded CS Energy to construct one of the state’s largest batteries, which will be used to store renewable energy and reinforce the state’s electricity grid.
Under the collaboration, a total of 80 Tesla Megapack units for the 100 MW / 200 MWh battery have been delivered and installed at the Kogan Creek Clean Energy Hub, the Queensland government announced in a media statement.
The battery of the Clean Energy Hub will store the wind and solar energy produced throughout the day so that it can be sent to Queensland homes during the busiest nighttime hours.
The Palaszczuk Government’s Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, which has promised to deliver 70 per cent renewable energy by 2032, includes the Chinchilla Battery project as the first initiative in the energy facility.
The Chinchilla Battery will be able to discharge 100MW of electricity at the evening energy demand peak, enough to power 30,000 houses for two hours.
Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said that the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan’s commitment is furthered by the Kogan Creek Clean Energy Hub.
“We’re able to deliver storage like this that helps firm renewable generation because of Queensland’s publicly owned power companies,” Minister Dick noted.
Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen, Mick de Brenni pointed out the Palaszczuk Government is able to lay out a route to gradually convert all publicly owned coal-fired power stations into Clean Energy Hubs by 2035 because Queenslanders have retained their energy assets in public hands.
“These clean energy hubs are a key element of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, diversifying the generation technology at our publicly-owned coal-fired sites and enabling local communities and workers to be partners in the energy transformation,” de Brenni remarked.
Meanwhile, CS Energy Acting CEO Andrew Varvari disclosed that while in use, the Chinchilla Battery will recharge during the day, when solar energy is frequently in excess, and then discharge it back into the grid, when it is most required.
The Chinchilla Battery will undergo testing and commissioning later this year, and it is anticipated to start operating in late 2023.
Local contractors working on the project include Western Downs Civil, Healy Contracting, South Queensland Soils, Brandon & Associates, Ison Haulage and Fyfe (Chinchilla Office) and Queensland businesses such as Lazzaroni, Queensland Wastewater and East Coast Cranes are also involved.
