One of Queensland’s largest battery energy storage projects near completion
One of the largest battery energy storage (BESS) projects in Queensland, the Tarong BESS project is built adjacent to Stanwell’s Tarong power stations, approximately 135kms north-west of Brisbane.
When complete, it will provide essential firming capacity to the Queensland energy system, with a storage capacity of 300MW over two hours duration.
Batteries can be charged when energy generation is high, and discharge energy back into the grid when generation is low or demand is high, or to maintain grid stability. This system can charge and discharge electricity several times a day and can respond within fractions of a second to electricity demand.
Our customer
Stanwell is Queensland’s leading provider of electricity and energy solutions to the National Electricity Market, and large energy users along the eastern seaboard of Australia. A Queensland Government owned corporation, they are one of the largest energy generators in Australia, with 40+ years’ experience in coal-fired power stations and renewable power assets. Their coal-fired power stations provide reliable baseload electricity.
Their objective
Designed for a 20-year operating life, the Tarong BESS project aims to:
- provide a BESS capable of generating a net 300 MW (AC) output
- provide energy storage capacity of 600 MWh (net)
- participate in the wholesale energy market
- provide frequency control ancillary services (FCAS)
- provide reactive power and voltage control at the 275 kV connection point
- be capable of manual dispatch of real and reactive power (for emergency and test scenarios)
- configure and commission a system in grid-forming / virtual machine mode.
The solution
Yurika is the Principal Contractor responsible for the Balance of Plant (BoP) work including turnkey design, engineering, procurement, factory inspections and testing, delivery, construction, start-up, commissioning, and testing. This also included all labour and plant support services for Tesla’s commissioning works.
To optimise the timing and delivery of the project, Yurika completed early works including design and engineering, and procurement planning as a single body of work, before entering a second stage of work to complete the design deliverables, mobilisation, construction, and commissioning.
The BoP scope included:
- construction of a 275kV/33kV substation
- BESS yard containing 164 Tesla megapack 2XL batteries
- 84 x MV transformers
- 84 x 33kV ring main units
- 33kV reticulation
- 33kV switch room and control room complete with AC and DC systems, and protection and control panels
- secondary systems including protection relays, power quality metering equipment, SCADA, and communications equipment
- all design, EPC, and systems necessary to perform and successfully complete the BoP Works and integration of FIM into the facility.
The outcome
Commencing in March 2023, the project has met all major milestones and is on-track for completion in mid-2025.
When complete, it will connect to the National Electricity Market (NEM) via the 275kV Powerlink Tarong substation. The BESS will provide essential firming capacity to the Queensland energy system, with a storage capacity of 300MW over two hours duration. It will be used by Stanwell to participate in the wholesale electricity market, and to provide ancillary services to the NEM.
