Adding stability to Texas' grid
Amidst a rising frequency of extreme weather events, increasing penetration of intermittent resources and the need for fast-responding generation in Texas, the state needs more flexible resource solutions like energy storage for grid support and energy resource optimisation.
With over 500 megawatt-hours (MWh) of capacity as a combined project, Madero and Ignacio provides the longest duration of any energy storage assets currently operating in ERCOT through the facility’s multi-hour continuous dispatch capability.
| Who | Eolian |
| What | 200 MW / 500 MWh+ |
| Where | South Texas, USA |
MW of energy storage capacity
MWh+ of energy storage capacity
In the midst of an uncertain market redesign process, Eolian invested hundreds of millions of dollars to construct these projects using cutting-edge technology. Madero and Ignacio are the definition of functional dispatchability and will keep the lights on while keeping electricity affordable.
| Customer | Eolian |
| Site size | 200 MW / 500 MWh+ |
| Site location | South Texas, USA |
| Application(s) | Fast Frequency Response (FFR), Frequency Regulation, Responsive Reserve Service (RRS), Storage+ |
| Scope of services | Engineered Equipment Delivery (EEQ), Service+ GAP |
| Delivery | 2023 |
Technology group Wärtsilä will deliver a 100 MW / 223 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) for innovative Australian renewable energy retailer, Flow Power. Located adjacent to the Morwell Terminal Station in Victoria, Flow Power’s Bennetts Creek BESS will provide essential ancillary services, such as frequency regulation, strengthening grid stability and accelerating Australia’s transition towards a renewable energy future. The order was booked in Q4 2025.
Bennetts Creek marks Wärtsilä’s tenth BESS project in Australia to support the country’s National Electricity Market (NEM), and the first project delivered in collaboration with Flow Power. Bennetts Creek will join the retailer’s rapidly expanding portfolio of renewable energy and BESS projects, providing community benefits plus reliable, firmed supply for Australia’s grid and its renewable energy retail contracts.
Bennetts Creek will also provide frequency regulation, a key ancillary service, which offers a steady, valuable income stream that complements energy arbitrage and helps meet key compliance requirements for BESS projects. It also plays a crucial role in keeping the grid stable as traditional generators retire.
“Flow Power shares our commitment to accelerating Australia’s clean energy goals, and we look forward to collaborating on their largest project to date,” said Suraj Narayan, Managing Director, Wärtsilä Energy Storage Australia. “This project demonstrates how advanced batteries can deliver both reliability and revenue. As the National Electricity Market transitions to a lower carbon system with increasing variable renewable energy, systems with strong frequency response capabilities, like Bennetts Creek, will be ideally positioned to tap into these new high-value opportunities.”
The project will utilise Wärtsilä’s Quantum hardware, a fully integrated, modular, and compact energy storage system (ESS) designed to ease deployment and optimise sustainable energy across project locations and market applications. Wärtsilä’s controls and optimisation software, GEMS, will serve as the project’s intelligent power plant controller, managing the integration of the energy storage system. It conducts intelligent power control and optimised energy management operations for the entire plant to meet grid requirements and response times, charge and discharge the battery appropriately, and maximise project value. This project will be delivered under an engineered equipment delivery (EEQ) contract with Wärtsilä providing guaranteed asset performance under a separate long-term service agreement.
“The Bennetts Creek Battery is a significant milestone for Flow Power,” says Tom Harrison, Flow Power General Manager Energy Projects. “The project will provide firm power and energy storage capacity to support additional renewable energy projects in Victoria and strengthen our growing project portfolio across the National Electricity Market. We look forward to collaborating with Wärtsilä to deliver this exciting new project together.”
As a Tier 1 integrator in Australia, Wärtsilä will expand its local footprint to more than 6 GWh of capacity with the Bennetts Creek Battery, delivering greater grid stability and supporting the country’s net zero by 2045 target. Construction of the project will commence in 2026 and is expected to be operational in 2028.
Media contact:
Amanda Young
Director, Marketing & Communications
Wärtsilä Energy Storage
[email protected]
Image caption: Wärtsilä to deliver 100 MW / 223 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) for Australian renewable energy retailer, Flow Power. © Flow Power
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Wärtsilä Energy Storage in brief
Wärtsilä Energy Storage is at the forefront of the transition towards a 100% renewable energy future. We help customers accelerate global decarbonisation efforts by combining proven technologies with deep grid expertise. Our portfolio includes high-performance hardware, intelligent controls and optimisation software, and full-service lifecycle support to deliver lasting value across the project lifespan. From enhancing grid stability to unlocking flexibility and operational efficiency, our utility-scale battery energy storage solutions are built for real-world performance. Trusted by top-tier utilities, developers, and system operators, Wärtsilä Energy Storage has a global footprint across 130+ sites—delivering the scale, safety, and reliability needed to power the energy transition.
www.wartsila.com/energy/energy-storage
Wärtsilä in brief
Wärtsilä is a global leader in innovative technologies and lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. We emphasise innovation in sustainable technology and services to help our customers continuously improve environmental and economic performance. Our dedicated and passionate team of 18,300 professionals in more than 230 locations in 77 countries shape the decarbonisation transformation of our industries across the globe. In 2024, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 6.4 billion. Wärtsilä is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
www.wartsila.com
About Flow Power
Flow Power is an electricity, technology and engineering company that has been reshaping energy for Australia since 2008. Flow Power’s renewable energy portfolio encompasses wind, solar and storage – while its innovative approach uncovers new and better ways to deliver reliable, renewable energy that brings costs down and puts the power back in customers’ hands.
One of Australia’s fastest-growing energy retailers, Flow Power serves some of our best-loved organisations including Asahi Beverages, Sydney Opera House, Snack Brands, Westpac, City of Sydney, The University of Melbourne, Newcastle Airport and Harris Farm Markets.
A long-term industry leader in the renewable energy transition, Flow Power has recently launched its innovative residential electricity plan, Flow Home, which empowers Australians to make their homes a force for good in the renewable energy transition.
Flow Power: creating Australia’s renewable energy future, together.
For more information: flowpower.com.au
