Bringing South Australia one major step closer to a 100% renewable energy grid

Ensuring reliability in a renewable-driven power system

South Australia has a unique opportunity to swiftly decarbonise and transition to full renewable integration with its unparalleled renewable energy sources. Flexible capacity is vital for the state to reach its 100% renewable energy target by 2030, supporting Australia’s net-zero emissions target by 2050.

Wärtsilä’s 250 MW / 250 MWh grid-scale battery at AGL Energy’s Torrens Island Power Station in South Australia is a significant development advancing the nation’s path to decarbonisation. The energy storage system, including both hardware and software, supports the growth of renewables and is the first battery constructed as part of AGL’s targeted 850 MW national battery pipeline.

Flexible capacity with energy storage

In 2018, Wärtsilä signed an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract for the Barker Inlet Power Station (BIPS) engine power plant located on Torrens Island. The main role of the plant is to ensure reliability in the South Australian power system by providing balancing capacity to manage the variability from renewables. Energy storage can take care of short-duration balancing, while engine power plants can balance variable renewables for a longer duration. 

The flexible capacity provided by the Torrens Island battery delivers an efficient means for balancing the supply of energy from renewable sources, thereby supporting the stability and reliability of the grid.