X-Elio Expands Queensland Solar Farm with Battery Storage

• X-Elio is set to enhance Australia's energy landscape with a groundbreaking 148-MW battery system at Blue Grass solar farm, boosting grid resilience and stabilizing energy prices.

X-Elio, a Spain-based renewables firm, will install a 148-MW battery energy storage system (BESS) at its 200-MW Blue Grass solar farm in Queensland, marking its first hybrid solar-storage complex in Australia. The installation aims to bolster grid resiliency and mitigate price volatility impacts, according to Chief Commercial Officer, Mirko Molinari.

The BESS will be deployed in two phases—60 MW and 88 MW—slated for completion by the third quarter of 2025 and 2026, respectively. The Blue Grass solar park, commissioned in November 2022, utilizes 375,000 bifacial modules, generating approximately 420 GWh annually, supporting off-take contracts with Salesforce, Stanwell Corp, and Zen Energy.

How will X-Elio's BESS enhance grid resiliency and price stability in Queensland?

Here’s an expanded list detailing how X-Elio's Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) will enhance grid resiliency and price stability in Queensland:

• Energy Storage Capacity: The 148-MW BESS will provide substantial storage capacity, enabling the system to store excess energy generated during peak solar production hours for use during high demand periods or low generation times, effectively balancing supply and demand.
• Frequency Regulation: By providing fast response times, the BESS can help stabilize the grid's frequency, essential for maintaining the reliability of electricity supply, particularly in a system with increasing renewable penetration.
• Peak Shaving: The BESS can discharge stored energy during peak demand periods, reducing reliance on higher-cost peaking power plants and helping to lower electricity prices for consumers.
• Integration of Renewables: The combination of solar and storage at the Blue Grass facility allows for more effective integration of renewable energy sources into Queensland’s grid, reducing curtailment and maximizing the utilization of solar power.
• Mitigation of Price Volatility: By providing a buffer of stored energy, the BESS can help to smooth out price spikes caused by high demand or low generation periods, contributing to a more stable electricity market.
• Backup Power Supply: In case of grid disturbances, the BESS can offer backup power to critical infrastructure, enhancing reliability in emergency situations.
• Support for Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging: As EV adoption increases, the BESS can be utilized to manage charging loads, optimizing the use of solar generation and providing additional stability to the grid.
• Enhanced Grid Flexibility: The deployment of the BESS will lead to enhanced operational flexibility for grid operators, allowing for more dynamic responses to changes in supply and demand and improving overall grid management capabilities.
• Long-Term Cost Benefits: Lowering the operational costs associated with grid management and peak energy generation through the use of the BESS can result in long-term savings that could benefit consumers.
• Environmental Impact: By maximizing solar energy use and reducing reliance on fossil fuel peaking power plants, the BESS contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing Queensland’s renewable energy goals.
• Job Creation and Economic Growth: The development and operation of the BESS and its associated solar farm may generate jobs and stimulate local economies as the project progresses and the renewable sector continues to grow.
• Support for Regulatory Goals: The successful implementation of hybrid solar-storage systems can support state and national goals for renewable energy integration and emissions reduction, positioning Queensland as a leader in clean energy innovation.

By delivering both technological advancements and economic benefits, X-Elio’s BESS at the Blue Grass solar farm represents a significant step forward in Queensland's renewable energy landscape.