Wärtsilä Powers One of Australia’s First DC-Coupled Solar-Storage Projects

Wärtsilä will supply a 64 MW / 128 MWh energy storage system for Octopus Australia's Fulham Solar Battery Hybrid project, marking one of the first large-scale DC-coupled solar-plus-storage installations in the National Electricity Market (NEM).

Located in Victoria, the Fulham project pairs an 80 MW AC solar farm with a DC-coupled battery system. The project received Generator Performance Standards (GPS) approval in June 2024 and aims to support Australia's renewable energy transition by improving grid integration and reducing energy losses.

DC-coupled architecture enables solar energy to charge the battery directly via a DC/DC converter, cutting conversion losses and improving overall efficiency. The project will utilise Wärtsilä's GEMS Power Plant Controller for advanced system coordination and optimisation, supported by its Quantum High Energy storage technology.

"This project demonstrates the growing role of hybrid systems in supporting grid reliability," said David Hebert, Director of Sales Management at Wärtsilä Energy Storage. The initiative also represents the company's first collaboration with Octopus Australia, a subsidiary of Octopus Group.

Construction is underway, with completion expected in 2027. Wärtsilä will also provide long-term service support. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on April 9, with representatives from Wärtsilä, Octopus Australia, and the Victorian Government in attendance.