RWE received approval from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and Transgrid to transition the Limondale BESS from the commissioning phase to full operation. With this authorization, the system can deliver its registered maximum power and is positioned as Australia’s longest-duration operational battery.
The project, located near Balranald in southern New South Wales, boasts 50 MW of discharge power and 400 MWh of storage capacity. This allows the system to sustain its maximum output for over eight hours, a key feature for strengthening the flexibility of the Australian electricity grid.
Limondale BESS Boosts Long-Duration Storage
The Limondale BESS is installed alongside RWE’s Limondale Solar Park, a 314 MWac plant that began operation in 2021. This location allows for the combination of renewable generation and battery storage, two increasingly relevant components for managing solar energy variability.
Additionally, the system comprises 144 Tesla Megapacks. According to registered parameters, it can charge at 100 MW and discharge at 50 MW, enabling it to act as a backup resource during periods of high demand or grid strain.
Tests Passed Before Full Operation
Before receiving the green light, the battery completed grid compliance tests and performance trials. This process confirmed that the system can operate safely at maximum capacity, a central requirement for assets connected to transmission networks.
Therefore, the approval from AEMO and Transgrid marks the formal step towards more stable operation. The system can reduce grid pressures during critical times, support supply security, and improve the utilization of available renewable generation.
Supporting New South Wales’ Energy Transition
The project aligns with the New South Wales Government’s Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap. It was also the first to receive a Long-Term Energy Service Agreement for long-duration storage within the first tender managed by ASL, an AEMO subsidiary.
With this scheme, the state seeks to accelerate projects capable of providing firm capacity, flexibility, and backup for extended hours. In this context, the Limondale BESS fits as a technical solution to integrate more renewable energy without losing operational stability.
RWE Strengthens its Storage Portfolio
RWE has operated in Australia since 2013 and considers the country one of its priority markets. In addition to the Limondale Solar Park, the company is developing wind, solar, and battery storage projects in various regions across the country.
Globally, RWE operates storage systems with a total capacity of 1.7 GW and has nearly 2.5 GW under construction. The company collaborated on the Limondale project with Tesla, Beon Energy Solutions, Lumea, and Transgrid.
According to Sopna Sury, CEO of RWE Renewables Europe & Australia, the system contributes to strengthening grid stability, supporting a secure energy supply, and enabling more efficient use of renewable energies.
Source and photo: RWE