Construction of the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub (MREH) in Plumpton, Victoria is one step closer to completion with the installation of two giant 335t transformers.
Once complete, the 600MW project is set to be one of the world’s largest renewable energy storage batteries and is expected to be operational by 2025 – when it will start storing excess rooftop solar and surplus energy from the grid, providing extra power to meet Victoria’s growing demand.
Lumea Executive General Manager, Craig Stallan, joined Victorian Minister for the State Electricity Commission, Lily D’Ambrosio, on site at Plumpton to welcome the arrival of two giant transformers.
“The Lumea team is excited and very proud to be working with our customers Equis and the SEC to help them realise this important project,” Mr Stallan said.
“The accelerated development of the MREH plays a key role in meeting Victoria’s ambitious timeline of renewable energy and net zero targets.
“We are working to safely connect this enormous battery to the grid, improving system strength and enabling access to renewable, affordable and reliable energy for consumers.”
The project includes the design and construction of the 500kV MREH, Plumpton Renewable Terminal Substation and installation of a 1.75km, 500kV underground cable – which Lumea said is the first of its kind in Australia – to connect the battery to the grid at the existing Sydenham Terminal Station.
Lumea recently led a specialised crew, undertaking a precise ‘jack and skate’ process to lift the transformers, weighing 335t each, and glide them on to their foundations. A third transformer will arrive in February 2025 and undergo the same process, while work continues to connect the first two transformers.
The transformers will convert and stabilise energy generated to ensure the electricity meets the requirements of the grid.
“This is yet another clear demonstration of the rapid acceleration of the energy transition and the increasingly important role that will be played by large-scale storage in helping maintain grid stability,” Mr Stallan said.
“Lumea is helping to accelerate the clean energy transition by connecting renewable energy generators and large-scale storage to the National Electricity Market. Over the past five years, we have connected more than 55 generators to the grid and brought 12GW of energy to market – enough to power four million households.”
SEC General Manager Asset Delivery, David Moo, said, “We’re excited to see the SEC’s first project take shape and continue to achieve construction milestones ahead of being operational later this year. The transformers being installed will enable the MREH to deliver up to 1.6GWh of energy storage onto the grid – enough to power 200,000 homes during peak periods.”
Equis Managing Director, David Russell, said, “We are proud we have worked at pace with our partners to bring a critical Victorian energy project online. With the SEC’s assistance the MREH is on track to complete within both the cost budget and time period forecasted.”
Featured image: Lumea
