Tramway Road Battery Energy Storage System

What is the Tramway Road BESS?

The Tramway Road Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project is a 300MW / 1200MWh grid-connected BESS proposed on approximately 4-5 hectares of land at 675 Monash Way, Hazelwood North. The project is adjacent to the Hazelwood Terminal Station, approximately 6km south of Morwell and 2km north of Churchill.

Why is the Tramway Road BESS being developed?

A Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is a large-scale energy storage facility that stores and releases energy to the electricity grid. A BESS comprises a number of "enclosures" or battery units (broadly resembling a shipping container), inverters, transformers and other electrical equipment.

Energy storage is essential in supporting the safe, secure and reliable operation of Australia’s National Electricity Market. A BESS provides fast responding, dispatchable energy to the grid to ensure that electricity supply remains reliable and stable. At times of excess supply in the grid, such as during the middle of a sunny day, the BESS will charge by importing electricity from the grid. During times of lower supply and higher demand, such as the early evening, the BESS will discharge, exporting electricity into and stabilising the grid. BESS is dispatchable and can help to balance the grid and support variable energy sources, including household rooftop solar. A BESS also provides a range of essential system services, such as frequency and voltage support which ensure the grid operates securely.

Why was this site selected for the Tramway Road BESS?

The site was identified due to its location on non-productive agricultural land next to existing electrical infrastructure at Hazelwood Terminal Station. It is also strategically positioned away from significant public viewpoints and sensitive receptors.

The project will be located within VicGrid’s renewable energy zone study area. These areas are parts of Victoria that have the potential to host the new energy generation, storage and transmission infrastructure required to support Victoria’s energy transition.

What is the current status of the Tramway Road BESS?

The Tramway Road BESS project is in the early stages of planning and design, and a planning application has not yet been lodged for development.

Eku Energy take community engagement and benefit sharing seriously, and are committed to ensuring our approach is collaborative, tailored, transparent and aligned to local needs and aspirations. In November 2024, Eku hosted a community drop-in session in Churchill to gather feedback from the local community about the proposal, however your feedback is welcome at any stage of the planning process.

How will the community be engaged during the development of the project?

Eku Energy, with the support of Cogency Australia, our planning and engagement consultant, have contacted nearby residents by mail and via in person doorknocks to inform the local community and seek feedback on the project. A community information session was also held in Churchill in mid-November to provide further detail to the community and seek feedback during the early stages of the project.

During the planning application process the surrounding community will receive formal notification as required by the Planning and Environment Act, with an opportunity to make a formal submission to the application that will be considered by the Department of Transport and Planning and Eku Energy.

What is the timeline for development of the Tramway Road BESS?

Eku Energy intends to submit a planning application by Q1 2025, with the planning application process to continue throughout 2025. Subject to planning approval, construction is expected to commence in 2026 and continue for approximately 18 months. The BESS is expected to be operational by the end of 2027 and will have a design life of over 20 years.

What kinds of jobs will the project create during construction and operation?

The project team is committed to ensuring the community benefits from the construction of the Tramway Road BESS by diversifying the regional economy with new local job opportunities.

We seek to use local contractors during both construction and operation, including civil, earthworks, concreting, gravel, haulage, cranage, fencing, security, electrical and site services.

BESS projects of a similar size in Victoria have created approximately 150 direct jobs during the peak of construction. Once operational, BESS projects employ anywhere between 5 - 10 people in ongoing roles such as maintenance, asset management, market trading, and landscaping.

If you are interested in providing goods and services to the proposed Tramway Road BESS, please register your interest via consultation@cogencyaustralia.com.au. 

What other benefits will the local community receive from this project?

A range of local workforce and suppliers are required for battery projects. Eku Energy will actively seek to identify and engage local contractors, workers and suppliers as part of the design and construction of Tramway Road BESS.

Eku Energy also welcomes input from the local community on the design of a benefits sharing program. This includes understanding local values and understanding where there are opportunities to deliver direct community benefit. These include:

• Employment and Education Initiatives to support educational and employment outcomes
• Social Connectedness initiatives to support community connectedness, wellbeing and liveability
• Environmental initiatives that drive sustainability outcomes

To provide feedback or suggestions on opportunities to engage with the benefits sharing program, please contact us via the details listed at the bottom of this page.

Is there a fire risk associated with BESS projects?

BESS units are specifically designed to manage and mitigate fire risk and will include comprehensive safety features within both the hardware and software technology.

This Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) will utilise lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) lithium-ion cell  technology. While fires associated with this cell technology are rare and of lower risk than the cell-types used in typical electric vehicles and portable electronic devices, there are risks and hazards that need to be managed in their design, construction and operation.

Designed to meet industry-leading safety standards, this battery system will be equipped with safety systems which continuously monitor, detect, isolate and alert the operators to any potential anomalies. This minimises the risk of a fire occurring, and mitigates any risks of fires propagating between containers.

While fires are rare, we have engaged a specialist fire risk advisor for the Tramway Road BESS (Fire Risk Consultants). A dedicated Risk Management Plan is also being prepared, in accordance with the Design Guidelines and Model Requirements: Renewable Energy Facilities 2023 (CFA Guidelines). The CFA Guidelines provide specific fire detection and protection requirements including the installation of firefighting water supplies, detection and suppression systems, as well as bushfire protection measures.

Delivering safe, secure and reliable capacity to the energy market is a key focus of Eku Energy and our procurement processes ensure the systems we deliver are consistent with global best practice.

Will there be any noise associated with construction and operation of the BESS?

There will be some localised noise associated with the construction and operation of the proposed BESS.

During the construction phase, anticipated noise will be associated with activities such as earth works, civil works and truck deliveries or movements. All construction activities will occur during designated hours and will occur in line with the approved Construction Environmental Management Plan.

During operations, BESS can create some noise. The main source of noise is associated with the inverters and cooling fans required to regulate the operating temperature of the  battery cells. The proposed BESS has been strategically positioned at the north-western section of the property, away from sensitive receptors.

Detailed noise assessments and studies are currently underway by a specialist noise consultant to ensure that the design and operation of the BESS is in line with EPA noise guidelines and within applicable limits. This assessment will also inform whether the proposed BESS will require some form of noise attenuation measures (i.e. noise attenuating walls) to ensure ongoing compliance. The operating profile of a BESS is typically to charge during the middle of the day when solar generation is high, and discharge during the peak demand periods in the early morning and evenings – whilst the noise assessments are conducted on a worst-case basis to allow for the BESS to operate at any time as needed by the grid, the project noise emissions at night time will typically be much lower.

What are the next steps for the Tramway Road BESS?

Prior to the submission of a planning application, Eku Energy have engaged a number of technical experts to assist with project design, including experts in biodiversity, cultural heritage, visual, and noise assessments, as well as a Risk Management Plan that will be written in collaboration with the Country Fire Authority.

Once technical assessments are completed and community feedback is integrated into the proposal, a planning application will be submitted to the Department of Transport and Planning. A planning permit from the Victorian Minister for Planning will be required for the project to proceed, along with other regulatory requirements.