Essential Energy has partnered with AGL Energy to install its first network battery in the Sovereign Hills area.

The 2 MWh network battery is located between Sovereign Hills and Sancrox, near the Pacific Highway, and is designed to absorb extra solar energy produced during the day, which will then be directed into the energy network at times when it is needed. 

Connected to an 11 kV high voltage distribution wire on the Essential Energy network, this is expected to provide grid voltage regulation support, stabilise frequency and reduce demand on the network while reducing emissions. 

Essential Energy’s Chief Executive Officer, John Cleland, said Essential Energy’s first grid-scale battery trial will provide learnings which will lead to further deployment of the technology, supporting the energy transition of regional, rural and remote NSW.

“We expect this trial to support our capability growth to own and operate electricity storage across the network, solving local voltage variation, capacity limitations and broaden export capability, " Mr Cleland said.

AGL Chief Customer Officer Jo Egan said AGL is proud to be supporting Essential Energy in trialling this technology to help ease congestion on the grid, by constructing, commissioning and orchestrating the battery.

“This is the first time AGL is partnering with an energy distributor to install a new grid-scale network battery. We will be sharing the insights with the network and supporting them to design and future proof the network as Australia transitions to a low-carbon future," Ms Egan said. 

“The network battery will also participate in AGL’s Virtual Power Plant, where customers join a network of connected distributed energy resources that support the electricity system when needed.” 

The trial will help AGL better understand the role of network batteries in enabling greater renewable energy into the grid.

Sovereign Hills was identified as an ideal location due to anticipated network capacity and future population growth.

Developer Lewis Land Group Chief Executive Officer Matthew McCarron said residents continue to invest heavily in the installation of rooftop solar systems on their newly built homes.

“As an organisation committed to achieving Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2030, we look forward to learning more about how developers can work with energy distributors, retailers and our wider stakeholders as we build more sustainable communities,” Mr McCarron said.

Image credit: Jeremy Rogers Photography