The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has contracted renewable energy and storage investment company Edify to provide maintenance for current and future battery infrastructure in Victoria’s Murray River region.
The 125MW System Support Agreement will see Edify provide support and maintenance services for the Murray River Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), and includes provisions for the delivery of up to 300MW in additional renewable storage capacity.
The capacity increase will be delivered via the Koorangie Energy Storage System (KESS), a lithium-ion battery to be built in the Gannawarra Shire, Victoria, which is expected to begin operations from 2025.
Victoria’s Minister for Energy, Lily D’Ambrosio, said new technology would be critical in meeting the Government’s recent storage commitments.
“This cutting-edge technology supports our new energy storage targets – the biggest in Australia – and helps with our smooth transition to renewables, saving Victorian families money on their energy bills and slashing our state’s emissions for generations to come,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.
Edify Chief Executive, John Cole, said the agreement confirmed new technologies would be fundamental to supporting the net-zero transition.
“This contract with AEMO is testament to the growing recognition of the role that advanced power electronics and batteries can play in supporting the stability of the network and creating the conditions that will enable the acceleration of a 100 per cent renewable system,” Mr Cole said.
“Edify was early to identify the enormous potential of batteries with grid forming inverters and has been working closely with suppliers, network companies and AEMO for a few years to advocate for their multi-use properties in providing both technical and market services.
“It is pleasing to see continued recognition of advanced inverter technology and the capability of the Edify team to design and deliver these projects.
“We look forward to continuing to work with AEMO and the Victorian Government to finalise the development of the KESS project and to bring it into operations.”
The KESS is to be built on land of traditional owners throughout the Gannawarra Shire Council, which covers land of the Barapa Barapa, Wamba Wamba and Yorta Yorta people.
