The first of two large scale batteries that will support Victoria’s energy grid has been unveiled in Ballarat.

Minister for Energy Lily D’Ambrosio today opened the Ballarat Energy Storage System (BESS), located at the Ballarat Terminal Station in Warrenheip.

The BESS is a state of the art lithium ion large-scale battery that will deliver a 30-megawatt/30-megawatt hour supply which is capable of powering more than 20,000 homes for an hour of critical peak demand before being recharged.

The BESS will be able to respond to changing grid needs within milliseconds and will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week to support critical peak demand.

It’s one of two large-scale batteries that are part of the Labor Government’s Energy Storage Initiative, which is supporting energy storage technologies, driving the development of clean technologies and boosting local economies.

The second large-scale battery is the Tesla 25 megawatt/50 mega-watt hour battery which is integrated with the Gannawarra Solar Farm, south-west of Kerang.

This battery will store renewable energy on site. Delivered by Edify Energy, it is also expected to provide grid support by summer 2018.

With $25 million of funding provided by the Andrews Labor Government and the same amount matched by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, these two large-scale batteries are the most sophisticated energy storage initiatives in Australia.

Learn more about Victoria’s Energy Storage Initiative at energy.vic.gov.au/batteries-and-energy-storage

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“We said we would deliver these large-scale batteries for Victoria, and that’s exactly what we’ve done.”

“This is part of our plan to transition to a more affordable, reliable and clean energy system.”

“We’re modernising our electricity grid, strengthening our energy security and delivering real action on climate change.”