French renewable energy developer Neoen along with Mondo Power has submitted a planning application for the battery storage facility known as “Victoria big battery” to the Statutory Planning department of the City of Greater Geelong. 

Victoria big battery project will be four times the size of the Tesla big battery, officially known as “Hornsdale Power Reserve,” which is at Hornsdale in South Australia. The estimated project budget is USD 185 million (AUD 300 million), and the proposed capacity of the storage facility is 600 MW. The project is located at the Moorabool terminal station, 13 km northwest of the Geelong CBD.

The 100 MW/129 MWh Tesla Big Battery, which is being operated by Neoen, has seen significant numbers in revenue in recent times, so they are planning for a 50% up-gradation. In the first year of operation, Tesla Big Battery (Hornsdale Power Reserve) saved almost USD 25 million in grid stabilization cost.

Advantages of this project?

When the project is operational, the Victoria Big Battery provides fast frequency response services to the National Electricity Market. It will also be a reserve to augment power supplies in Victoria and offer better grid reliability.

The company quoted in its application that facilities like this can reduce the spot price volatility and protect the grid from network disturbances, thus improving reliability and potentially reducing power costs.

Many large utilities are increasingly deploying or considering energy storage (particularly battery) and associated grid management technologies primarily to

·         Improve grid efficiency and optimize existing assets

·         Comply with State mandates and FERC Order 841

·         Benefit from declining system costs

·         Reduce spot price volatility

·         Integrate new renewable power generation effectively

·         Pursue innovative business models and utilize increased access to finance   

·         Meet renewable energy targets

·         Meet growing need to upgrade the aging grid infrastructure

·         Defer or replace transmission system upgrades due to the growing trend of energy storage as Virtual transmission.

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