THE Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced $5 million in funding to Infigen to install a 25MW/52MWh Tesla battery at the Lake Bonney Wind Farm.
The $38m project is also supported by the South Australian Government with a $5m grant under its Renewable Technology Fund.
The grid scale battery will be built adjacent to Infigen’s existing 278.5MW wind farm.
Infigen will build and operate the facility, which will be connected to grid via the Mayurra substation.
The battery will deliver flexible capacity and system security services to the electricity grid in South Australia.
ARENA chief executive Ivor Frischknecht said battery storage was increasingly becoming a key component of transitioning to an energy system powered by renewables.
“It is clear that grid scale batteries have an important role in stabilising the grid,” he said.
ARENA has previously contributed $12m towards the $30m 30MW battery soon to be commissioned at Dalrymple in South Australia.
RENA has also committed $25m to two grid scale batteries currently under construction in western Victoria.
“The co-location of a battery with a wind farm provides an opportunity for Infigen to pursue regulatory changes that could improve revenue outcomes for grid-scale batteries, helping to becoming more competitive,” Mr Frischknecht said.
Infigen chief executive Ross Rolfe said Infigen’s strategy was to participate in growth opportunities.
“We are delighted to be able to work with a global technology leader Tesla, ARENA and the South Australian Government to contribute to improved energy security for South Australian energy consumers,” Mr Wolfe said.
