The battery storage facility will provide enough electricity to power approximately 75,000 South Australian homes for one hour, with the potential to extend the duration to four hours in the future.
The Torrens Island system will operate in grid-following mode, transitioning to grid-forming mode (virtual synchronous generation – VSG) later. This feature makes it the largest energy storage solution capable of operating in VSG mode, meant to enable fast response times and to future-proof operations for the Torrens Island facility. The solution is supported by Wärtsilä’s advanced GEMS Power Plant Controller.
“This is a significant milestone in AGL’s transition journey as we continue to accelerate the build out of up to 12 GW of renewable and firming capacity by 2035, playing our part in Australia’s energy transition,” AGL Chief Executive Officer Damien Nicks said. “We are taking action to deliver on our transition goals – this battery was constructed within 18 months – a great example of what can be achieved when government, regulators, and the private sector are all working together.”
The Torrens Island ESS is the latest of Wärtsilä’s projects supporting Australia’s decarbonization goals. Wärtsilä has previously supplied a 211 MW balancing power plant for AGL, the Barker Inlet Power Station, also located on Torrens Island. The company is also delivering a 460 MW battery in partnership with Origin, at the Eraring Power Station, to support energy security and reliability in New South Wales.
