Solar technology company SMA has revealed its pivotal role in the creation of Australia’s second-largest grid-connected battery, located onTorrens Island, South Australia.
The renewable energy pioneer – whose invention of the string inverter made rooftop solar possible – supplied 109 Sunny Central Storage 3600 UP-XT battery inverters integrated in fully type-tested MVPS-4200-S2 skids to Australian power company AGL to develop the grid-scale battery energy storage system (BESS).
Completed over 18 months, Australia’s second-largest operational battery (and South Australia’s largest) will provide more stable and reliable grid power to South Australia, storing enough energy to power more than 75,000 homes for a period of one hour.
“We are thrilled to play such an important role in a milestone event for South Australia and the country as a whole,” says Tallaesen Fleming, Director of Large Scale and Project Solutions at SMA Australia.
“It’s more important than ever for major players in Australia’s power industry to shift towards more sustainable practices. By providing our innovative battery inverter technology, we are supporting AGL in their journey to creating a more sustainable energy portfolio.”
The Torrens Island 250 MW/250MWh grid-scale BESS is AGL’s first owned and operated- battery, with other energy storage projects also in construction, as part of their goal to have 5 GW of new renewables in place by 2030.
SMA worked with Finnish system integrator, Wärtsilä – the team responsible for the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of the project – to supply its ground-breaking battery inverter technology.
SMA’s battery inverters contribution to the project is a remarkable accomplishment that has been delivered in a short period of time, according to Fleming, which further cements itself as a major player in Australia’s renewable energy market.
In February 2022, the company provided ‘first-of-its-kind’ grid-forming technology to sustainable energy and Independent Power Producer (IPP), EDL, for its Jabiru Hybrid Renewable Power Station in remote Northern Territory.
“SMA provides state-of-the-art sustainable technology and our team is some of the most experienced and knowledgeable in the industry. This latest contribution to AGL’s Torrens Island project is a clear example how we can support our customers with efficient energy storage solutions,” said Mr Fleming.
With the Torrens Island battery made up of 218 battery cabinets and more than 6000 battery modules, the project marks a milestone shift towards large-scale grid independence for South Australia.
About SMA Australia
SMA Australia is the world’s longest-servicing solar inverter manufacturer. Over 750,000 SMA inverters have already been installed across Australia alone, producing more than 35% of all solar electricity in the country. With a 40-year legacy in large-scale solar within Australia, SMA is the chosen European PV inverter manufacturer brand in the Australian solar market.
Worldwide, the SMA Group is setting the standards today for the decentralised and renewable energy supply of tomorrow. SMA inverters with a total output of approximately 115 gigawatts have been installed in more than 190 countries worldwide. SMA’s multi-award-winning technology is protected by approximately 1,600 patents and utility models.