UK provider chosen to optimise 500MWh Canberra battery with unique revenue sharing deal

UL-based Habitat Energy says it has been chosen by Macquarie Group’s battery storage offshoot Eku Energy to provide optimisation services for the 250MW/500MWh Williamsdale battery energy storage system (BESS) that is being built south of Canberra.

Habitat Energy focuses on battery storage and renewable energy assets and is backed by Australian-based investor Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners.

The Williamsdale battery forms a key part of the ACT’s Big Canberra Battery project, which aims to deliver grid security and reliability, and is subject to a unique revenue sharing model between the battery developer Eku and the territory government.

It is one of three big batteries that are being built in the ACT, along with the already complete Queanbeyan battery and the 100 MW, 200 MWh Capital battery that is working its way through commissioning.

The batteries will help the ACT balance its renewable energy requirements, having already contracted enough renewable output to meet the equivalent of its annual electricity consumption. It is not contracting more projects to help through the process of electrification, which will lift demand on the grid.

Habitat Energy’s ‘Evolve’ services uses a combination of advanced AI-powered algorithmic forecasting and trading alongside a team of local expert data scientists, software engineers, and experienced traders, to ensure the battery is ready for operation.

“We are delighted to have partnered with Eku Energy to optimise the Williamsdale BESS as we expand our global footprint,” said Greg Billman, managing director of Habitat Energy Australia.

“Eku’s specialist expertise in battery storage development is evident in their innovative financing approach and we look forward to working together to deliver the battery’s full revenue potential across wholesale energy and ancillary service markets.”

The contract to optimise the Williamsdale BESS brings Habitat Energy’s global portfolio of assets under contract to over 2.8GW. It also adds to its existing projects in Australia, which include the Spencer Energy co-located solar and vanadium flow battery project.