Fluence clinches Asian Power Awards for battery energy storage system

The innovative design of the 150 MW/150 MWh Hazelwood Battery provides the flexibility to scale up storage capacity quickly and cost effectively.

Global energy storage technology provider Fluence has been honored with the Gold award in the Battery Storage Project of the Year category at the Asian Power Awards for the successful delivery of the Hazelwood Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) jointly funded and developed by ENGIE and Eku Energy.

The Hazelwood BESS is Australia’s first battery storage system to be hosted at a retired coal-fired power station and represents a key moment in repurposing former thermal assets for renewable energy technologies. Currently a 150 MW / 150 MWh system, the battery’s innovative design and the site’s unique location provide the flexibility to scale up storage capacity quickly and cost-effectively, both in size and duration to meet future network and market demand.

The energy storage system is also benefiting from the existing 1,600 MW of transmission network capacity at the former Hazelwood Power Station site.

It stores excess power generated during times of surplus wind and solar power generation and discharges the power to help meet peak demand — when the grid is usually more carbon-intensive. It is also going to play a critical role in increasing renewable energy capacity in Victoria whilst delivering essential system services to the grid.

Fluence supplied and will maintain the Hazelwood BESS under a 20-year contract with ENGIE and Eku Energy. With a commissioning event held in June 2023, the system provides safe, secure, and reliable energy to consumers in Victoria and supports the region’s energy transition. 

According to the Victorian Government, the Hazelwood BESS represents a significant step forward in the site’s transformation from a former coal-fired power plant to an active player in Victoria’s renewable energy future. The State Government noted that projects like this one are critical to meeting Victoria’s energy storage objectives of at least 2.6 gigawatts of storage capacity by 2030 and at least 6.3 gigawatts by 2035 as the State strives for 95% renewable energy by 2035.

“As the country’s largest privately funded, utility-scale system, the Hazelwood BESS will serve as an important proof point that energy storage systems are viable for long-term, privately funded investments,” said David Mikaeloff, Fluence's VP Sales of APAC.

The Asian Power Awards, now in its 19th year, celebrates and honors companies and projects that have taken innovative and game-changing steps to address the effects of the climate crisis and meet the growing demand for energy.

The Asian Power Awards is presented by Asian Power Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2024 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's revolutionary innovations and initiatives in the power industry in Asia, please contact Julie Anne Nuñez at [email protected].