Former coal fired power station reimagined with battery storage
Once the home of a coal fired power station, the Swanbank B site is being reimagined with the installation of a 250MW/500MWh battery energy storage system.
This is a major step towards converting the site to a Clean Energy Hub.
The Swanbank power station site owned by CleanCo is supported by a transmission network capacity of 1.2GW and has connections to the 275kV networks through the existing Swanbank B power station allotment, making it an ideal site for energy developments.
Our customer
CleanCo is a low-emission energy retailer, generator and developer backed by the Queensland Government. The company is focused on supplying large-scale, low-emission energy to customers and their communities, helping them to thrive in a net zero future.
CleanCo is the custodian of some of Queensland’s most flexible lower-emission energy generators. These valuable assets provide the foundation to building a portfolio of renewable energy generation and storage facilities to meet the growing energy needs of Queensland customers.
Their objective
The Swanbank Battery project has a number of aims, including:
- provide a BESS capable of generating a net 250 MW (AC) output
- provide energy storage capacity of 500 MWh (net)
- participate in the wholesale energy market.
The solution
Yurika was engaged to provide the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) to complete the balance of plant system for the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), the high voltage substation (33kV to 275kV) and the dedicated connection asset yard for final connection to the 275kV Powerlink network.
As a delivery partner, Yurika will integrate the battery into the electricity grid, which includes all the supporting components and auxiliary systems required to deliver energy, other than the battery itself.
Yurika will also lead the testing and commissioning of all plant and equipment, which includes the integration of the Tesla Megapacks for Tesla’s commissioning works.
The project solution includes:
- 275kV/33kV substation
- 275kV DCA yard
- 33kV yard containing 138 Tesla megapack 2XL batteries
- 69 x MV transformers
- 69 x 33kV ring main units
- 33kV reticulation.
The outcome
On completion, the project will help provide a more sustainable grid for CleanCo’s customers by increasing CleanCo’s firming capacity to help balance the peaks and troughs that occur naturally with renewable energy generation. The battery will be capable of storing enough energy to power the equivalent of more than two-thirds of Ipswich for two hours at peak demand times.
It will also help maintain grid stability by responding within milliseconds to broader energy market demands. The battery is a significant step towards transforming the Swanbank site into a Clean Energy Hub, ensuring long-term jobs and economic opportunities for the Ipswich region.
