By Faith Macale
Two new giant 335-tonne transformers have arrived at the 600-megawatt Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub (MREH) in Plumpton.
There are 444 Tesla Megapack “big battery” components at the MREH, and the transformers are the last piece that will connect the battery’s power to the grid and allow it to be pumped at higher voltage.
This means that the “big battery” will be able to store enough renewable energy to power 200,000 homes during peak periods, according to the state government.
State Electricity Commission (SEC) Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the government would soon plug a publicly-owned energy asset into the electricity grid for the first time in more than 25 years.
Lumea, part of the Transgrid Group, is in charge of connecting the transformers to the grid.
Lumea executive general manager Craig Stallan said the team was excited and very proud to be working with Equis and the SEC to help them realise this important project.
“The accelerated development of the MREH plays a key role in meeting Victoria’s ambitious timeline of renewable energy and net zero targets,“ he said.
“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 1.6 gigawatt-hour (GWh) battery is the first project from the SEC’s initial $1 billion investment as part of the newly rebooted SEC’s target of 4.5 gigawatts of new renewable energy generation and storage projects.
The big battery is set to come online later this year.
