en.Wedoany.com Reported - RWE has received formal approval from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and transmission network service provider Transgrid to operate at full capacity Australia's first eight-hour battery energy storage system (BESS). The Limondale BESS, consisting of 144 Tesla Megapacks, charges at 100 MW and discharges at 50 MW, with a storage capacity of at least 400 MWh, making it the longest-duration battery currently in operation in Australia.

After completing commissioning, the battery system passed grid compliance and performance tests, demonstrating its ability to operate safely at maximum capacity. Located next to RWE's Limondale Solar Farm near Balranald in southern New South Wales, the Limondale BESS can alleviate grid stress during peak demand periods, supporting a more flexible and secure power system.

Sopna Sury, CEO of RWE Renewables Europe & Australia, stated that this project transforms Australia's battery storage landscape, marking a significant milestone in the development of long-duration energy storage and enhancing the reliability and resilience of the national energy system. The Limondale BESS helps strengthen grid stability, supports a secure energy supply, and promotes more efficient use of renewable energy. She thanked the RWE team, project partners, the New South Wales government, and AEMO for their close collaboration.

Designed as an eight-hour system under the New South Wales government's Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, this project is the first to secure a Long-Term Energy Service Agreement (LTESA) for long-duration storage (LDS) in the first round of tenders organized by AEMO's subsidiary, ASL. In addition to Tesla, RWE collaborated with Beon Energy Solutions, Lumea, and Transgrid to deliver the project.

RWE entered the Australian market in 2013 and commissioned the Limondale Solar Farm in Balranald, New South Wales, in 2021. With an installed capacity of 314 MWac and comprising 872,000 solar panels, its annual generation can power approximately 105,000 households. RWE's Australian team is developing a portfolio of wind, solar, and battery storage projects nationwide, including the Theodore Wind Farm in Queensland, with a planned capacity of around 1 GW. The project has received development approval and is advancing through federal EPBC assessment.

RWE develops, builds, and operates battery energy storage systems in the United States, Europe, and Australia, currently managing a total operational capacity of 1.7 GW, with approximately 2.5 GW under construction. As a key component of its growth strategy, RWE plans to significantly expand its battery storage capacity globally.