- Construction of a $150 million Megapack system is being finalised on the Western Downs.
- All 80 Tesla Megapack units for the 100 MW / 200 MWh battery have been delivered and installed.
- The Chinchilla Battery Project will be connected to the Queensland SuperGrid to better facilitate the use of renewable energy by Queenslanders.
International tech giant Tesla has joined forces with Queensland’s publicly owned CS Energy to build one of the state’s largest batteries, to store renewable energy and strengthen Queensland’s energy grid.
The Chinchilla Battery project is the first project in the Kogan Creek Clean Energy Hub and is being delivered as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, which has committed to delivering 70% renewable energy by 2032.
The Clean Energy Hub’s battery will store wind and solar energy generated throughout the day, to be distributed to Queensland households during the peak evening periods.
During the evening energy demand peak, the Chinchilla Battery will be able to discharge 100MW of electricity, enough to power 30,000 homes for two hours.
Quotes attributable to the Treasurer and Minister for Investment, Cameron Dick:
“The Kogan Creek Clean Energy Hub helps deliver on the commitment contained in of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.
“We’re able to deliver storage like this that helps firm renewable generation because of Queensland’s publicly owned power companies.
“Across Queensland, renewable energy projects like this are supporting more skilled jobs in regional communities.”
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen, Mick de Brenni:
“Because Queenslanders have kept their energy assets in public hands, the Palaszczuk Government is able to set out a pathway to progressively convert all publicly owned coal-fired power stations into Clean Energy Hubs by 2035.
“The Kogan Creek Clean Energy Hub is the most advanced in the state, with construction to begin soon on its second project – the Kogan Renewable Hydrogen Demonstration Plant.
“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.”
Quotes attributable to CS Energy Acting CEO Andrew Varvari:
“The Chinchilla Battery will support CS Energy’s strategy to build a more diverse energy portfolio to meet our customers’ requirements and support Queensland’s future energy needs.
“Batteries are fast and flexible, with the ability to ramp up and down quickly to support the stability of the power and reduce wholesale price volatility.
“When operational, the Chinchilla Battery will charge during the day when there is often a surplus of solar energy and then release it back into the grid when it is needed the most.”
FAST FACTS AND FURTHER INFORMATION:
Each Tesla Megapack arrived at site ready to install with fully integrated battery modules, inverters and thermal systems.
The battery project has a relatively small footprint (100m x 150m) and will be connected to the grid via Powerlink’s 275 kV Western Downs substation.
Testing and commissioning of the Chinchilla Battery will be carried out later this year and the battery is expected to be operational in late 2023.
The Kogan Creek Clean Energy Hub is generating an economic boost for regional Queensland, with construction contractor Downer spending more than $3 million on suppliers and subcontractors in the Western Downs.
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.
Link to vision HERE.
