The Australian Government has today announced the official completion of a grid-scale battery at the Dalrymple substation on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula which will ensure South Australian families and small businesses will benefit from more affordable and reliable, 24/7 power.

The ElectraNet 30 MW / 8 MWh grid-scale battery will improve energy reliability for 4,500 households and businesses on the Yorke Peninsula by working together with the existing 90 MW Wattle Point Wind Farm and rooftop solar PV to provide back-up local supply.

In the event of a supply interruption from the electricity grid, the Dalrymple battery can provide 2-3 hours of electricity while connection to the grid is restored, and its fast frequency response capability will help improve system security across South Australia.

Through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), the Government has provided $12 million in funding toward the construction of the $30 million ElectraNet Energy Storage for Commercial Renewable Integration (ESCRI) project which is now live and connected to the National Electricity Market (NEM).

At the time of commissioning, the battery was the first large-scale grid-connected battery to be designed, built and commercially operated in Australia largely with private investment from energy providers.

This project is one of four large-scale batteries in South Australia and Victoria that has received funding support from the Government through ARENA, including the battery installation at Lake Bonney in South Australia.

The Dalrymple battery builds on the Australian Government’s work to back firmed generation in the NEM to ensure the lights stay on in states like South Australia, which according to the 2018/19 Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) Summer Readiness report is at real risk of blackouts this summer due to previous Labor government energy policy failures.

Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said the Dalrymple battery would provide more reliable power for customers at the fringe of the South Australian grid.

“The Dalrymple battery is strategically located to instantly respond to the intermittency and variability of power generated from nearby wind farms at the tip of the Yorke Peninsula.

“It’s storage capacity will help keep the lights on in the event of a network issue further up the grid.”