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Wärtsilä will deliver the largest DC-coupled hybrid battery system in Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM), marking a significant step in integrating renewable energy and storage efficiently. Scheduled to be operational by 2028, the system is part of Wärtsilä’s ninth Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) deployment in the country, consolidating a total installed capacity of 1.5 GW / 5.5 GWh nationwide.

The system will supply electricity to approximately 120,000 homes and businesses, using batteries coupled directly to solar sources through DC/DC converters. This architecture reduces energy losses and improves overall system performance by efficiently linking photovoltaic generation with storage.

Wärtsilä will deploy its PPC hybrid plant controller and GEMS energy management software to optimize battery charging and discharging, respond dynamically to grid conditions, and ensure compliance with interconnection requirements. The project has received Generator Performance Standards (GPS) approval, validating its design and reliability in conjunction with renewable assets.

The initiative includes a 20-year service contract, supporting long-term operation and aligning with Australia’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2045. According to David Hebert, Vice President of Global Sales Management at Wärtsilä Energy Storage, the project surpasses previous deployments in scale and technical complexity, demonstrating the feasibility of large-scale DC-coupled hybrid solutions.

This hybrid system is expected to play a pivotal role in stabilizing the grid, enabling large-scale solar integration, and accelerating Australia’s transition to a clean energy matrix, while positioning Wärtsilä as a leading provider of innovative energy storage solutions in the region.

Source: wartsila.com