Fotowatio Renewable Ventures has started construction near Dalby on its first Australian hybrid solar battery project.

The Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility will feature 2.4 MWac of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation panels and a 2.5 MWac/5 MWh energy storage system which, once completed, will be one of the first co-located PV and BESS system greenfield developments in Australia.

The plant’s output will be connected to Ergon’s distribution network, allowing the hybrid power plant to supply and take electricity from the grid and trade in the National Electricity Market.

The plant is designed to be operated as a predictable and dispatchable generation plant, to provide a reliable energy output to customers.

“Battery Energy Storage Systems are needed to support further investment in Queensland renewables and help maintain system security and reliability,” FRV Australia managing director Carlo Frigerio, stated.

“This project will be critical to Queensland’s future energy supply and security as renewable energy capacity increases, with storage supporting solar and wind power coming into the market when it is most needed. The inclusion of PV as part of the project shows the importance of integrating solar and batteries in order to deliver dispatchable power. ” 

This project is FRV’s ninth project in Australia, becoming part of a total of approximately 640MWdc owned projects’ portfolio.  

Construction is expected to be completed in December 2021 and the facility has an operating life of around 30 years.