Second round ACT battery storage auction attracts 17 bids

The second round of the ACT government’s nation leading battery storage tender has attracted a total of 17 bids from local and national businesses proposing to install more than 8MW of energy storage.

The funding round, which will see up to $2 million allocated across five companies for the installation of 2MW of solar storage in Canberra, is part of the Territory’s program to fund around 36MW of battery storage, the largest supported program in Australia by quite a distance, as we noted here.

The first round, a $600,000 pilot round, saw three companies deploying battery storage technologies from Tesla, Panasonic and LG Chem, as well as smart control technology company Reposit Power – win a tender to deliver lower cost storage systems to 200 Canberra households.

ACT minister for the environment, Simon Corbell, said his government had targeted solar battery storage in its plans to reduce emissions, grow the renewables industry, and position Canberra as a centre for renewables innovation and investment.

“This grant round is expected to support the roll-out of more than 2MW of energy storage across more than 600 Canberra homes and businesses,” Corbell said.

The ACT government said the 17 “extremely competitive” bids were received from a range of local and national businesses, many with strong international partnerships, and were across a range of technologies and products.

“It was a requirement of this grant round that interested companies only use energy storage systems that are capable of responding to changes in energy markets in order to maximise the value for consumers and the electricity network,” Corbell said.

In addition, proponents were required provide a minimum 10 year product warranty period for the installed batteries and establish an office in Canberra for local sales and support..

Corbell said that the successful bidders in the auction round, which closed on July 6, would be announced “in coming months”, after a rigorous assessment of proponent capability, product and delivery risks and local investment benefits.

He said spreading the grants across a number of providers would encourage competition, innovation and support for a range of technologies.

“Next generation energy storage combines solar generation with energy storage technologies to address the issues of intermittency of solar energy supply.

“Battery storage is a key element in contributing to the ACT Government’s vision for Canberra to become a globally recognised centre for renewable energy innovation and investment,” Corbell said.