Shell Energy and Edify to deliver a new battery project in Australia

Australia headquartered renewable energy development and storage investment company, Edify has joined hands with Shell Energy to deliver a new battery project in South West, New South Wales (NSW) in Australia.

Located in the Murrumbidgee Shire, the Riverina Energy Storage System (RESS) is to be a 100MW / 200MWh lithium-ion battery that will connect to TransGrid's network. The RESS will add more flexible dispatchable capacity to the NSW market and complement the significant presence of renewable generation in the region.

"Energy storage is fast becoming a valued capacity solution for the National Electricity Market, given its fast and precise response. The uncertainties in this growing technology class are reducing and with it the barriers to acceptance from market and network participants," said John Cole, Chief Executive, Edify.

"We are proud to be leading the advancement of batteries to shore up the renewable energy market and to increase the availability of clean, green, low-cost, dispatchable electricity."

According to Edify, RESS will help meet the requirements of Shell Energy and the NSW Government, with Shell Energy signing a long-term services agreement to access operational rights to a 60MW/ 120MWh partition of the battery. This agreement is a key component of Shell Energy's success in securing a long-term retail contract with the NSW Government as part of its Whole of Government process.

"This long-term services agreement is a model for how large energy users can access dispatchable power like battery storage, which complements renewables while contributing to a cleaner and more resilient power system," commented Greg Joiner, CEO, Shell Energy.

"Shell Energy was pleased to select Edify as its battery energy storage partner in this collaborative approach to meeting the NSW Government's need for an innovative power solution."

The latest project is critical to meet the country's carbon emission reduction targets and rapidly increase the supply of renewable and secure energy available to the government, businesses, and consumers. Further, according to Clean Energy Regulator data analyzed by energy efficiency experts from Australia's national science agency, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) Australia has installed its highest ever number of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) panels in 2020.