Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV), global provider of sustainable energy solutions, has started construction on its first 5 MWac Solar-Storage Hybrid Power Plant in Dalby, Queensland.
The Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility will feature 2.4 MWac of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation panels and a 2.5 MWac/5 MWh energy storage system which will be one of the first co-located PV and BESS system greenfield developments in Australia.
The plant’s output will be connected to Ergon’s distribution network, allowing the hybrid power plant to supply and take electricity from the grid and trade in the National Electricity Market.
It is designed to operate as a predictable and dispatchable generation plant, providing a reliable energy output to Queensland customers. The system will be able to access the maximum number of markets and revenue streams, including arbitrage and FCAS services.
“Battery Energy Storage Systems are needed to support further investment in Queensland renewables and help maintain system security and reliability,” FRV Australia managing director Carlo Frigerio said.
“This project will be critical to Queensland’s future energy supply and security as renewable energy capacity increases, with storage supporting solar and wind power coming into the market when it is most needed.
“The inclusion of PV as part of the project shows the importance of integrating solar and batteries in order to deliver dispatchable power,” he said.
“FRV is already collaborating with governments, regulators and partners around the world to lay the foundations for a new energy model,” FRV-X global managing director Felipe Hernandez said.
“Energy storage will play a central and critical role to fully realise the power of renewable energy and FRV acknowledges the value of this technology as a key element to achieve a decarbonised society.”
This will be FRV’s ninth project in Australia to become part of a total of around 640MWdc owned projects’ portfolio. Last year FRV reached three financial closes in the country, demonstrating a continuing commitment to grow and consolidate its unique portfolio of solar and storage assets.
The Dalby project also continues FRV’s global expansion in utility-scale storage systems. FRV aims to grow its pipeline of energy storage capacity and already has two battery projects in the UK. These are Holes Bay in Dorset, a 7.5 MW/15 MWh battery plant that has been operating since June 2020; and Contego, a 34MW/68 MWh battery project in West Sussex that once completed in 2021, will be one of the most advanced and innovative energy storage systems in the UK. In addition to this, FRV has developed an advanced pipeline of battery projects in different countries.
The Dalby Hybrid Facility is expected to create job opportunities during construction and operations. FRV requires all construction partners working on its solar farm developments to hire local contractors and use local suppliers wherever possible.
Construction is expected to be completed in December 2021 and the facility has an operating life of around 30 years.