1. What is the value-add of this Battery Energy Storage System?

Energy Storage is

• the capture of energy to be used at a later time, as well as
• the provision of network security services when coupled with advanced grid-forming inverters

Energy Storage provide value across a wide range of applications:

Energy Arbitrage

• Charge when cost of energy is low as a result of high renewable energy generation at that point in time (e.g. at noon for solar)
• Discharge when cost is high as a result of low renewable energy resource (e.g. during evening peak periods)
• Therefore, increasing the availability of cost-effective renewable energy to all consumers across the day.

Integration of Renewables

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) can store energy when resource availability is high (but demand is low), and discharge when resource availability is low (but demand is high). This smooths the renewable generation to reduce variability and ensure reliability intraday and interday. This will be of particular importance as Australian energy generation transitions from conventional dispatchable thermal generation to 100% non-dispatchable intermittent Renewable Energy generation.

Energy Storage will help to increase the Renewable Energy hosting capacity of various parts of the network whilst minimising the cost of upgrading transmission infrastructures.

Black start services

When coupled with advanced grid-forming inverters, BESS can provide power to kick-start and restore operation of generating assets during grid outages by operating as virtual synchronous machines.

Ancillary Services

BESS can react extremely quickly in response to network events to provide network ancillary services for frequency and voltage control that works to maintain power quality and network security.

The BESS, through its connection to the substation, would provide the ability to charge energy and discharge it to the network at times of peak demand or critical need.

It would also have the capacity to charge or discharge when power system services are required to maintain the stability of the broader electricity grid.

The BESS strengthens the power network by providing greater flexibility in grid management.

Renewable Energy solutions such as a BESS are becoming increasingly common due to rising demands for less reliance on fossil-fuelled energy generation, and the region of Brandy Hill is currently lacking this infrastructure.

2. Will the assessment and consultative approval processes be open and consultative?

RES aim to make the project assessment processes as open and transparent as possible. Community input is needed to make sure all issues are covered and addressed and that any adverse impacts are avoided or minimised. Neighbours of the site and the wider community will be actively consulted with and will continue to be undertaken through the assessment phase. 

The Development Applications (DA) for the project will be submitted to the NSW Government, who are responsible for managing the determination process. This will include the DA being advertised for a designated public exhibition period for response.

3. What happens after the Battery Energy Storage System closes down?

The Battery Energy Storage System is expected to operate for about 15 years. After decommissioning, the above ground infrastructure would be removed to a depth of 500mm, and the site will be returned to its pre-works state.

4. What are electromagnetic fields?

Click the link below to read the electrical safety and electromagnetic fields information sheet.

Electrical Safety and Electromagnetic Fields