❓ Mr. Redman inquires about the integration of grid-scale batteries into WA's power networks, including details on existing installations, benefits, community participation, specific technologies used (Tesla, vanadium flow), and government policy on battery diversity. The Minister provides a detailed response outlining existing battery projects by Horizon Power and Western Power, their benefits, and future plans.
AnsweredQoN 6366Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the integration of renewable technology including batteries into the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) and Horizon networks, and ask: (a) Can the Minister list the grid scale batteries that are presently on the grid networks of both Horizon and Western Power; (b) Can the Minister outline the benefits of these grid scale batteries to
the networks at the points of integration into the network; (c) Of the grid scale batteries integrated into the network, which ones have
a level of community participation either by direct investment or by
better utilisation of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV), with benefits back to the
consumer; (d) As a Tesla battery was recently installed in Margaret River, can the Minister outline other Tesla batteries that have been installed as a
part of the same investment initiative: (i) In respect to these batteries, on what basis were the sites chosen for such investments; (ii) When were the Tesla batteries purchased; and (iii) Were other battery technologies/companies offered the same opportunity to secure the supply contract; (e) Can the Minister describe the full suite of battery technologies
(including chemistries) utilised by both Western Power and Horizon; (f) What is government policy in respect to utilisation of a diversity of battery
technologies/chemistries as we move into rolling out more grid scale
batteries into our state grid networks; and (g) Does government have a vanadium flow battery in its suite of battery chemistries installed in our grid networks: (i) If so, where is it, and when was it installed?
the networks at the points of integration into the network; (c) Of the grid scale batteries integrated into the network, which ones have
a level of community participation either by direct investment or by
better utilisation of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV), with benefits back to the
consumer; (d) As a Tesla battery was recently installed in Margaret River, can the Minister outline other Tesla batteries that have been installed as a
part of the same investment initiative: (i) In respect to these batteries, on what basis were the sites chosen for such investments; (ii) When were the Tesla batteries purchased; and (iii) Were other battery technologies/companies offered the same opportunity to secure the supply contract; (e) Can the Minister describe the full suite of battery technologies
(including chemistries) utilised by both Western Power and Horizon; (f) What is government policy in respect to utilisation of a diversity of battery
technologies/chemistries as we move into rolling out more grid scale
batteries into our state grid networks; and (g) Does government have a vanadium flow battery in its suite of battery chemistries installed in our grid networks: (i) If so, where is it, and when was it installed?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
22 September 2020
Responded by
Minister for Energy
Response time
7 days
Horizon Power
(a) The table below shows Horizon Power’s five currently connected network grid scale batteries on the businesses power systems:
Battery Projects
Capacity
Technology
Onslow Stage 1
1000 kW/
560 kWh
LG Chem – Lithium-ion with ABB inverters.
Onslow Stage 2
1000 kW /
1000 kWh
Samsung – Lithium-ion with ABB inverters
Carnarvon Microgrid Trial
100 kW/
50 kWh
Samsung – Lithium-ion with ABB Inverters.
(b) Horizon Power’s batteries are configured for specific uses and together their integration into the network provides the following benefits:
(c) Horizon Power’s grid scale batteries, either directly or indirectly, facilitate the operation of rooftop solar photovoltaic on Horizon Power’s networks, and deliver associated benefits to customers.
(d) Horizon Power has not installed any Tesla grid scale batteries.
(i) Not applicable.
(ii) Not applicable.
(iii) Not applicable
(e) Horizon Power utilises lead acid and Lithium-ion technologies.
(f) See Government Policy section.
(g) Horizon Power does not have a vanadium flow battery on any of its networks.
(i) Not applicable.
Western Power
(a) Western Power has 15 grid-scale batteries, including 13 community batteries, the Perenjori BESS and the Kalbarri microgrid battery (network connected but not yet commissioned):
CB
Title
Suburb Location
1
MEADOW SPRINGS MANDURAH
MANDUARAH 6210
2
FALCON POWERBANK
FALCON 6210
3
ELLENBROOK POWERBANK
ELLENBROOK 6069
4
MITCHELL PL TWO ROCKS
TWO ROCKS 6037
5
WALLAWA ST WANNEROO
ASHBY, WANNEROO 6065
6
GREENWICH PDE CANNING VALE
CANNING VALE 6155
7
OPP 31 SALAMANCA PWY PORT KENNE
PORT KENNEDY 6172
8
41 WESTGROVE DR ELLENBROOK
ELLENBROOK 6069
9
BRADLEY 1 - YOKINE
YOKINE 6060
10
MCKEAN - PARMELIA
PARMELIA 6167
11
KAL 0117 - BOULDER
BOULDER 6432
12
SHOVELBOARD WY VASSE
VASSE 6280
13
Margaret River RECREATIONAL CENTRE (BEhind the Meter)
Margaret River SHIRE 6285
14
PERENJORI BESS
pERENJORI 6620
15
KALBARRI MICROGRID
Kalbarri 6536
(b) The installation of community batteries avoids the replacement cost of the local distribution transformer that would have been required in cases where load during the evening peak may overload the transformer. Excess solar charges the battery during the middle of the day and then the battery discharges during the evening peak thereby reducing the load on the local distribution transformer. It also allows for further renewables to added onto the network. The battery provides more reliable network and voltage management capabilities when and where required. When partnered with a PowerBank retail option, the community battery also provides residents with a storage option for their surplus solar. In the case of the Perenjori Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), customers in the town of Perenjori have experienced a significant improvement in the reliability of supply. A similar benefit is expected for the Kalbarri community once the system is commissioned.
(c) All community batteries bring about network benefits and facilitate increased utilisation of rooftop solar PV. At this time, the Meadow Springs, Ellenbrook and Falcon batteries have PowerBank retail products attached. It is intended that the other community batteries will also include the PowerBank product in the future. The Margaret River community battery installation is a unique trial that takes advantage of a network need at the location and will give Western Power the opportunity to understand the impacts on the network of a utility-grade behind-the-meter battery, however the Shire of Margaret River will also benefit through reduced electricity costs.
(d) Please see part (a). Batteries 1 to 13 are Tesla batteries, whereas the Perenjori BESS is a BYD battery, and the Kalbarri battery is a Samsung battery with ABB inverters.
(i) Sites were chosen primarily on the basis that the distribution transformers were identified for replacement due to capacity constraints. These locations also benefit from voltage support. All suburbs selected also had significant solar penetration. Western Power then engaged the local LGA, residents and stakeholders, to confirm a suitable location within the transformer network.
(ii) The Perenjori battery was purchased in 2017, with the remaining batteries in 2018 and 2019.
(ii) With respect to the Kalbarri battery, an extensive procurement process took place over the several months, with about thirty applications received in the first round of tenders. Due to the highly specialised nature of the project, rigorous assessment and consideration was given to all applications.
Western Power ran a procurement event for batteries 1-13 from part (a) and a separate event for the Perenjori battery.
All of the community batteries installed by Western Power are Lithium-ion Tesla batteries; these installations were designed, constructed, installed and commissioned by a local company, West Australian Alternative Energy (WAAE).
In both cases, other companies were offered the opportunity to secure the supply contract.
Since the procurement of these batteries, Western Power has now established a panel of preferred vendors that can supply a range of community batteries for deployment within the SWIN. The panel is refreshed annually.
Western Power launched a public Registration of Interest for the design, supply, install and commissioning of community batteries in September 2019. This launch included information being shared with the Local Capability Fund team at Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation for sharing, as well as being shared online.
(e) Western Power currently has Lithium Ion batteries. Western Power is currently using lithium Ion batteries because they are the most safe, proven and efficient technology to meet the current storage requirements for Western Power. The establishment of the battery panel will ensure that there is regular market testing for new requirements so that as technologies advance there is an opportunity for them to be utilised.
(f) See Government Policy Section.
(g) Western Power does not have a vanadium flow battery in its suite of batteries for grid network purposes at this stage.
(i) Not applicable
Government Policy
The Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Roadmap, developed by the Government’s Energy Transformation Taskforce, outlines a plan for the integration of high levels of DER within the power system while ensuring safe, secure and affordable electricity for consumers. It has been developed in response to the power system and network risks presented by high levels of DER in the South West Interconnected System.
To respond to these imminent network issues, Western Power will need to invest in traditional network infrastructure, storage or other alternative solutions.
The DER Roadmap identified the requirement for installation of 10 community batteries to alleviate network constraints during 2020, deployed initially as a pilot. The batteries listed in (a) above were installed in line with the DER Roadmap. In accordance with the DER Roadmap, a plan will also be developed later this year covering 2021-24 for Western Power to obtain additional distribution storage services (and installations where services do not emerge) across the SWIS to meet emerging network needs.
The DER Roadmap policies are agnostic with respect to the technology and battery chemistry deployed, instead focusing on the most efficient solution that meets technical requirements.
The Government’s Energy Transformation Strategy is reforming the Wholesale Electricity Market to provide for the integration of new business models and technologies, such as storage, in all parts of the electricity value chain – from the provision of network and market services to the provision of services to individual consumers. Like the DER Roadmap, these reforms focusing on enabling any battery technology to participate where it can provide the services required by the power system.
(a) The table below shows Horizon Power’s five currently connected network grid scale batteries on the businesses power systems:
Battery Projects
Capacity
Technology
Onslow Stage 1
1000 kW/
560 kWh
LG Chem – Lithium-ion with ABB inverters.
Onslow Stage 2
1000 kW /
1000 kWh
Samsung – Lithium-ion with ABB inverters
Carnarvon Microgrid Trial
100 kW/
50 kWh
Samsung – Lithium-ion with ABB Inverters.
(b) Horizon Power’s batteries are configured for specific uses and together their integration into the network provides the following benefits:
(c) Horizon Power’s grid scale batteries, either directly or indirectly, facilitate the operation of rooftop solar photovoltaic on Horizon Power’s networks, and deliver associated benefits to customers.
(d) Horizon Power has not installed any Tesla grid scale batteries.
(i) Not applicable.
(ii) Not applicable.
(iii) Not applicable
(e) Horizon Power utilises lead acid and Lithium-ion technologies.
(f) See Government Policy section.
(g) Horizon Power does not have a vanadium flow battery on any of its networks.
(i) Not applicable.
Western Power
(a) Western Power has 15 grid-scale batteries, including 13 community batteries, the Perenjori BESS and the Kalbarri microgrid battery (network connected but not yet commissioned):
CB
Title
Suburb Location
1
MEADOW SPRINGS MANDURAH
MANDUARAH 6210
2
FALCON POWERBANK
FALCON 6210
3
ELLENBROOK POWERBANK
ELLENBROOK 6069
4
MITCHELL PL TWO ROCKS
TWO ROCKS 6037
5
WALLAWA ST WANNEROO
ASHBY, WANNEROO 6065
6
GREENWICH PDE CANNING VALE
CANNING VALE 6155
7
OPP 31 SALAMANCA PWY PORT KENNE
PORT KENNEDY 6172
8
41 WESTGROVE DR ELLENBROOK
ELLENBROOK 6069
9
BRADLEY 1 - YOKINE
YOKINE 6060
10
MCKEAN - PARMELIA
PARMELIA 6167
11
KAL 0117 - BOULDER
BOULDER 6432
12
SHOVELBOARD WY VASSE
VASSE 6280
13
Margaret River RECREATIONAL CENTRE (BEhind the Meter)
Margaret River SHIRE 6285
14
PERENJORI BESS
pERENJORI 6620
15
KALBARRI MICROGRID
Kalbarri 6536
(b) The installation of community batteries avoids the replacement cost of the local distribution transformer that would have been required in cases where load during the evening peak may overload the transformer. Excess solar charges the battery during the middle of the day and then the battery discharges during the evening peak thereby reducing the load on the local distribution transformer. It also allows for further renewables to added onto the network. The battery provides more reliable network and voltage management capabilities when and where required. When partnered with a PowerBank retail option, the community battery also provides residents with a storage option for their surplus solar. In the case of the Perenjori Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), customers in the town of Perenjori have experienced a significant improvement in the reliability of supply. A similar benefit is expected for the Kalbarri community once the system is commissioned.
(c) All community batteries bring about network benefits and facilitate increased utilisation of rooftop solar PV. At this time, the Meadow Springs, Ellenbrook and Falcon batteries have PowerBank retail products attached. It is intended that the other community batteries will also include the PowerBank product in the future. The Margaret River community battery installation is a unique trial that takes advantage of a network need at the location and will give Western Power the opportunity to understand the impacts on the network of a utility-grade behind-the-meter battery, however the Shire of Margaret River will also benefit through reduced electricity costs.
(d) Please see part (a). Batteries 1 to 13 are Tesla batteries, whereas the Perenjori BESS is a BYD battery, and the Kalbarri battery is a Samsung battery with ABB inverters.
(i) Sites were chosen primarily on the basis that the distribution transformers were identified for replacement due to capacity constraints. These locations also benefit from voltage support. All suburbs selected also had significant solar penetration. Western Power then engaged the local LGA, residents and stakeholders, to confirm a suitable location within the transformer network.
(ii) The Perenjori battery was purchased in 2017, with the remaining batteries in 2018 and 2019.
(ii) With respect to the Kalbarri battery, an extensive procurement process took place over the several months, with about thirty applications received in the first round of tenders. Due to the highly specialised nature of the project, rigorous assessment and consideration was given to all applications.
Western Power ran a procurement event for batteries 1-13 from part (a) and a separate event for the Perenjori battery.
All of the community batteries installed by Western Power are Lithium-ion Tesla batteries; these installations were designed, constructed, installed and commissioned by a local company, West Australian Alternative Energy (WAAE).
In both cases, other companies were offered the opportunity to secure the supply contract.
Since the procurement of these batteries, Western Power has now established a panel of preferred vendors that can supply a range of community batteries for deployment within the SWIN. The panel is refreshed annually.
Western Power launched a public Registration of Interest for the design, supply, install and commissioning of community batteries in September 2019. This launch included information being shared with the Local Capability Fund team at Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation for sharing, as well as being shared online.
(e) Western Power currently has Lithium Ion batteries. Western Power is currently using lithium Ion batteries because they are the most safe, proven and efficient technology to meet the current storage requirements for Western Power. The establishment of the battery panel will ensure that there is regular market testing for new requirements so that as technologies advance there is an opportunity for them to be utilised.
(f) See Government Policy Section.
(g) Western Power does not have a vanadium flow battery in its suite of batteries for grid network purposes at this stage.
(i) Not applicable
Government Policy
The Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Roadmap, developed by the Government’s Energy Transformation Taskforce, outlines a plan for the integration of high levels of DER within the power system while ensuring safe, secure and affordable electricity for consumers. It has been developed in response to the power system and network risks presented by high levels of DER in the South West Interconnected System.
To respond to these imminent network issues, Western Power will need to invest in traditional network infrastructure, storage or other alternative solutions.
The DER Roadmap identified the requirement for installation of 10 community batteries to alleviate network constraints during 2020, deployed initially as a pilot. The batteries listed in (a) above were installed in line with the DER Roadmap. In accordance with the DER Roadmap, a plan will also be developed later this year covering 2021-24 for Western Power to obtain additional distribution storage services (and installations where services do not emerge) across the SWIS to meet emerging network needs.
The DER Roadmap policies are agnostic with respect to the technology and battery chemistry deployed, instead focusing on the most efficient solution that meets technical requirements.
The Government’s Energy Transformation Strategy is reforming the Wholesale Electricity Market to provide for the integration of new business models and technologies, such as storage, in all parts of the electricity value chain – from the provision of network and market services to the provision of services to individual consumers. Like the DER Roadmap, these reforms focusing on enabling any battery technology to participate where it can provide the services required by the power system.
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