First comes the power then the data storage.

That’s the case in the north of Brisbane with the announcement that construction is set to begin on stage one of Quinbrook’s ‘Supernode’ project at Brendale.

It takes the form of one of Queensland’s largest Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). The BESS will have a 250MW/2hr capacity.

Main image: A graphic of a Quinbrook ‘Supernode’ project

The ‘Supernode’ project is strategically located near the South Pine electricity substation.

Stage one of ‘Supernode’ is just part of a $2.5 billion data centre integrated facility powered by renewables and battery storage said Premier Steven Miles.

“When we announced this Supernode almost two years ago, I said it showed what the future holds for Queensland’s digital and renewables economy and the creation of knowledge-based jobs,” Mr Miles said.

“Renewable energy generation and storage like this will power us towards our 70 percent renewable energy targets.

“Responsible emissions targets are essential to jobs in our existing industries like mining, agriculture, and manufacturing and it’s the key to creating more jobs in the new industries of the future, here in the Southeast and right across Queensland.

“Additionally, our $15 million investment in Queensland’s first direct International Broadband Network Cable Landing Station, demonstrated to big business that the Sunshine state is the place to invest.

“We know we have the connection with the world to support new data centres, like the one that will be built here, creating high value jobs, that can be powered by renewable energy.”

The successful close of Supernode stage one was significant for Queensland as it delivered valuable large-scale storage at the best possible location in the State’s power grid said Quinbrook Co-Founder David Scaysbrook.

“The South Pine site is a unique and strategic location offering unparalleled power supply access and redundancy and is testament to Quinbrook’s ability to source, fund and develop innovative projects for the benefit of our investors and provide tangible solutions to decarbonise power systems.”

In 2017, the Government provided $15 million to assist the Sunshine Coast Council to deliver Queensland’s first direct international data and telecommunications undersea network cable.

That cable is now operational allowing the digital technology industry to develop projects such as efficient, large-scale data storage.