Neoen finishes development of Tesla Big Battery in Australia

• Neoen has successfully expanded the Hornsdale Power Reserve, or else called the Tesla Big Battery, in Australia. If screening works out, Hornsdale can start to function with a broadened remit of artificial inertia solutions, which might have a huge influence on regulatory modifications.

The Hornsdale Power Reserve's (HPR) 50%, AU$ 71 million (US$ 51.9 million) storage growth is full. Neoen's HPR, likewise known as the Tesla Big Battery, is currently 50 MW/64.5 MWh larger, with an upgraded capacity of 150 MW.

The A-Team of Tesla-- the South Australian federal government, Clean Energy Finance Corp. (CEFC), and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)-- have actually patched together the finances, and the gumption, to increase the already highly effective mega-battery. Currently, the broadened HPR can make background as the very first battery to supply grid-scale inertia services and fast-frequency response on Australia's National Electricity Network (NEM).

Louis de Sambucy, taking care of director of Neoen Australia, stated that screening can currently start on HPR's synthetic or electronic inertia abilities, as the business "enhances its contribution and also dedication to South Australia's 100% renewable resource target." In the initial fifty percent of 2020, HPR practically tripled the French designer's storage space earnings year on year.

Neoen's storage space revenue jumped from EUR8.4 million (US$ 9.9 million) in the initial half of 2019 to EUR24.6 million in the initial half of this year, due to "an outstanding non-recurring event in Australia ... the crucial element behind this very large boost." The "exceptional non-recurring occasion" was a tornado in late January, which took down the Heywood interconnector in between South Australia and Victoria. South Australia was effectively isolated from the remainder of the NEM for 18 days.

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) used Neoen's Hornsdale site and also two other smaller batteries-- Dalrymple ESCRI as well as Lake Bonney-- to keep grid reliability as well as keep electricity prices down.

Increased remit

The successful screening of HPR's synthetic inertia services can result in modifications to the Australian Energy Market Operator's (AEMO) Market Ancillary Services Specifications, which would open up even more room for power storage space to take part in the marketplace. ARENA, which added an AU$ 8 million give towards the growth, also thinks the upgraded battery might likewise assist to decrease eco-friendly curtailment in South Australia. Undoubtedly, AEMO's Chief System Design and also Engineering Officer, Alex Wonhas, stated that the growth made it possible for the "ideal use this globe leading battery to sustain greater levels of sustainable integration."

"Of important relevance to ARENA is the beneficial details we will gain in showing that batteries are capable of offering inertia services and also quick regularity responses to the grid, paving the way for prospective regulatory changes as well as profits streams to incentivise additional grid scale batteries to be developed throughout Australia," stated ARENA CEO Darren Miller.

Back in July, pv magazine Australia sat down with Neoen Deputy CEO Romain Desrousseaux. He claimed that the growth would certainly take the company's storage space service an action better, as well as prove that large batteries can provide new services, such as inertia.