Wongalea BESS
Wongalea BESS is a utility-scale 300MW/1200MWh lithium-ion battery energy storage system. The Project site is located on 475 Grafton Road (Waterfall Way) approximately 5km east of the town of Armidale in New South Wales with a direct connection to the Armidale Substation. The project will generate electricity into the National Electricity Market (NEM) NSW/ACT Region with a proposed operational life of 20+ years.
Wongalea BESS is anticipated to be in operations in 2028. The project is currently in development with planning and environmental studies underway. We are keen to receive feedback from local residents and the community about the project.
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We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the Country on which we live and work including the Anaiwan Peoples, the traditional owners of the land on which the proposed project will store energy, and pay respect to Elders past and present. We acknowledge and respect their culture, beliefs, contributions, and spiritual and historic connection with the land.
Who is Eku Energy?
Eku Energy is deeply committed to our mission of accelerating the global energy transition by delivering safe, secure and reliable energy storage solutions that provide cost-effective clean energy to existing and future generations. Our vision is to be recognized as the world's best creator of energy storage investment products.
At Eku Energy, we are a high-performance global team that is expert and specialist in energy storage: this is what we do. What sets us apart is our technology enabled business paired with our curiosity and outcomes focused mindset to deliver innovative solutions around design, contracting structures and financing to achieve the most cost-effective clean energy solution to energy users.
Operating across the entire project lifecycle—from origination and development through to construction and ongoing management—Eku Energy is a trusted leader in the energy sector. The company’s global presence across Australia, Japan, Italy and the UK allows us to bring together a wealth of experience in navigating complex regulatory, financial and market environments. We want to pave the way for a greener and just future for all, by securing tomorrow's energy today.
Where does Eku Energy operate?
Eku Energy is headquartered in London with further offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Singapore and Tokyo. We are soon to open offices in Italy and Germany.
What is Eku Energy’s pipeline?
We currently have 7 assets under either construction or in operations with a further 50+ projects in the pipeline.
What is a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)?
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 several "enclosures" or battery units (broadly resembling a shipping container), inverters, transformers and other electrical equipment. A BESS site usually also includes access tracks, water tanks, site offices, amenities and screening.
Why do we need Battery Energy Storage Systems?
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.
A BESS makes electricity generated from intermittent sources like wind and solar dispatchable and can help to balance the grid. It also enables the grid to absorb more renewable energy generation like from 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.
What is the size of Wongalea BESS and where will it be located?
Wongalea BESS is a proposed utility-scale 300MW/1200MWh lithium-ion battery energy storage system. The Project site is located approximately 7km east of the town of Armidale in New South Wales with a direct connection to the Armidale Substation. The project will generate electricity into the National Electricity Market (NEM) NSW/ACT Region with a proposed operational life of 20+ years.
Wongalea BESS is anticipated to be in operations in 2028. The project is currently in development with planning and environmental studies underway. We are keen to receive feedback from local residents and the community about the proposed project.
Has the community been consulted on this project and how did this consultation occur?
Eku Energy are committed to transparent, open and proactive consultation with First Nations, local stakeholders and the broader community.
We are engaging with Armidale Regional Council, local stakeholders and community members to share information about the proposed project.
Eku Energy maintains strong commitments to engagement, consultation and benefits sharing with First Nations people. In line with the delivery of our ‘Reflect’ Reconciliation Action Plan. These initiatives will include meaningfully engaging and consulting with the Anaiwan people and groups of the New England Region; commitments to identifying and establishing partnership opportunities for the supply of services or goods in support of the proposed project; delivering a benefits sharing scheme that provide long-lasting and positive impacts for the Aboriginal community.
We are continuing ongoing information and consultation activities with details to be released via ekuenergy.com/wongalea and direct communication channels.
How will the local community benefit from this project?
Eku Energy will establish a community grants program to support local not-for profits and fund projects or initiatives of importance and value to the broader community. We welcome the community’s input on the scope and priorities for these social investment, which could align with the values of having a positive impact on the environment, social connectedness as well as employment and education. We welcome ongoing suggestions on ways that Wongalea BESS can share benefits with the community.
In due course, Eku Energy will invite eligible local non-for profits and community organisations to contribute to the program design by getting in touch and applying via the project website.
How many jobs will be created through the project?
During the peak of the construction, we estimate approximately 100-150 jobs will support the project.
How is the project providing benefits to the local community?
Eku Energy are committed to employing local workers, sourcing from local suppliers and sharing benefits of the projects with the communities in which we operate. The Wongalea BESS welcomes interested suppliers, contractors and interested workers to get in contact with the project team to express their interest.
Do batteries emit noise and how will that impact residents?
During construction, the potential impacts of the project on the surrounding area residents may include noise (construction and electrical hum) and increased traffic movements to support the safe delivery of plant to site.
During operations, batteries do emit some noise during their operations depending on their operating mode and ambient air temperature. However, the design of the BESS has sought to minimise operational noise and conservative mitigation measures (such as acoustic walls) to ensure alignment with local regulations.
How do you plan to manage traffic during the construction period so that it does not impact residents?
Appropriate traffic management plans will be in place during the construction period and residents will be notified ahead of time should there be any essential works/periods where access may impact traffic flow.
All works will be undertaken within the regular construction hours of X-X Monday to Friday and X-X on Saturdays.
How do you plan to manage any waste including construction waste that is generated?
A Construction Environment Management Plan (CEMP) will be developed by the Balance of Plant Contractor to ensure appropriate measures are in place to protect flora and fauna. A site manager will be appointed to ensure that all waste will be stored, transferred, and collected onsite by a commercial contractor, that all building waste is to be stored on the site in suitable receptacles/containers and collected regularly and that the lessee is to take all reasonable steps to ensure that waste, particularly wind-borne litter, does not affect adjoining or adjacent properties. Methods for waste management and minimisation are identified and planned for at the planning stage of the project using the Waste Management and Minimisation Assessment.
All wastes from this project will be tracked using a waste disposal register. This register will identify the following as a minimum:
· Date and time that loads departed site
· Who inspected the load and type of waste
· Vehicle rego and load quantity
· Disposal point
· Disposal Certificates
· Quantity of material recycled or reused
In addition, a waste management and minimisation assessment will also be undertaken to determine the requirements for contaminated materials and waste.
What are your plans for the BESS when it is decommissioned at the end of life?
At the end of the BESS’s useful life, the project will be fully decommissioned. This will include:
· Removal of all above-ground, non-operational equipment;
· Removal of any underground equipment buried at a depth shallower than 0.5 meters; and
· Cleanup of any residual contamination.
During decommissioning, we will assess options for repurposing the facility, re-using equipment, and recycling materials wherever possible. Any materials that cannot be re-used or recycled will be classified according to relevant guidelines and disposed of at an appropriate facility
How do you plan to manage any flora and fauna impacts resulting from the construction?
A Construction Environment Management Plan has been developed to ensure appropriate measures are in place to protect flora and fauna.
Why do batteries catch on fire?
Energy storage solutions that are available in the market are specifically designed to manage and mitigate fire risk and they operate with comprehensive safety features in both the hardware and software technology.
Battery suppliers have innovated and invested significantly in fire suppression and management systems to mitigate and contain fire risk, the industry and technology innovation has benefited from the significant volume of large-scale batteries being deployed around the world. We have been working closely with local emergency authorities to ensure the design and operation of the battery does not introduce any risks.
Lithium-Ion batteries, if damaged or faulty, can experience a thermal runaway event which may result in a fire. Put in the simplest of terms, thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries is an overheating of the battery cell which results in a chemical reaction. This process occurs when the temperature within the battery cell exceeds a certain point - that is, the heat generated is greater than the heat that is dispersed.
Battery energy storage system include a range of measures to mitigate a fire from starting (monitors, sensors, alerts, HVAC controls) to ensure that the batter is operated within its safe limits. They also have management measures (fire suppressant systems, containment controls). Also work closely with relevant RFS and authorities to ensure the design of the system aligns with local RFS needs and access requirements and training.
Utility scale batteries that are being constructed in Australia are designed to meet industry-leading safety standards, such as UL9540, UL9540A, and IEC compliance.
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.
What if a fire does occur at the site? How will it be managed and will it impact the air quality?
We have been working closely with local fire department to ensure the design and operation of the battery does not introduce any operational risks. This includes ensuring that any management responses and actions meet protocols from the local authorities.
How can I get in contact?
We operate a dedicated toll-free number 1800 971 720 and our email is consultation@cogencyaustralia.com.au.
If you would like to contact a member of our team directly to ask a question or discuss matters about this project, please contact us below:
consultation@cogencyaustralia.com.au
0452 593 428
