Australia’s growing portfolio of big batteries are now discharging more than half a gigawatt for the first time as the sun set and wind power came to a near standstill.
The discharge of battery storage reached a peak output of 557MW at 6pm AEST on August 1, far higher than the previous peak of 488MW set in July 22.
It accounted for 2% of total demand, but in Victoria it made up more than 5% of total demand - 10 times more than the total output of wind and solar at the time.
Hydro, another form of storage, was also in high use at the time, especially in VIC, as prices across the market soared in response to the evening peak, the setting sun, and easing wind conditions.
The biggest providers of battery output at the time included the Hornsdale Power Reserve, and the Victoria Big Battery, both owned and operated by Neoen Australia.
It also included the newly commissioned Hazelwood big battery, located at the site of the former coal generator, the Queanbeyan battery in the ACT, and the newly connected Riverina battery projects in NSW next to the Darlington Point solar farm.
Why is this a big deal?
Aside from marking a major milestone, the new benchmark shows how big batteries are starting to play a key role in managing volatile energy supply.