Publicly owned energy company Stanwell is partnering with Tesla and Yurika to build the giant 300MW/1200MWh system capable of supplying energy into the grid for up to four hours.

Related article: Queensland Government doubles capacity of Stanwell battery

The mega battery project will include 324 lithium-ion Tesla Megapack 2XL units which will be transported on trucks to site and craned into place.

The project was recently supercharged with a $448.2 million funding boost from the Queensland Government’s Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Job Fund, with the Premier and Energy Minister announcing in May it’s capacity would be doubled.

Work has also reached the halfway mark on Stanwell’s first dispatchable energy (storage) project, the $514 million Tarong mega battery project, part of what will be the Tarong Clean Energy Hub.

Stanwell CEO Michael O’Rourke said, “Dispatchable energy assets like our Stanwell and Tarong big battery projects are critical as we transform our energy system.

“The big batteries will play a crucial role in the energy transformation by stabilising energy supply from clean renewable sources, meaning they’ll be able to be charged by sources like wind and solar and pumped back into the grid during periods of high demand.

Related article: CS Energy switches on Chinchilla Battery in Queensland

“This will ensure affordable and reliable electricity for our commercial and industrial customers in Queensland and the Eastern Seaboard.

“They are a key piece of our commitment to achieving 5GW of energy storage by 2035 and highlights Stanwell’s vision for a sustainable and innovative energy future.”

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The Australian Automobile Association’s EV Index shows there were more than 30,000 battery electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) sales in the second quarter of this year—the first time Australia has cracked that figure in a single quarter. The index shows that BEV/PHEV sales represented 9.6% of new light vehicles sold in Q2.

Related article: “Batteries on wheels”: EVs bolster power grid during blackout

Electric Vehicle Council CEO Samantha Johnson said, “Australia has never had so many electric vehicles on the roads. It was a record breaking quarter for combined battery and plug-in electric vehicle sales.

“The continuing strength of electric vehicle sales means Australia remains on track to hit the 100,000 EV annual sales target in 2024.

“These sales figures are without precedent, which is extremely encouraging given the broader economic pressures with high interest rates and the cost of living limiting people’s ability to purchase new cars.”

Johnson said the figures demonstrated Australians wanted more electric cars and governments must continue to provide support for electric vehicles.

“We have seen several states prematurely withdraw incentives—it is critical that governments implement targeted programs that enable more Australian households and businesses to make the switch to electric vehicles,” she said.

Related article: Australia’s first EV battery and charger factory takes shape

“Misinformation is also hampering the electric vehicle transition. The facts are that EVs are cheaper to own and run than ICEs, they reduce air pollution and they’re essential to reducing our carbon emissions.

“We need to see the EV market grow to meet our climate targets—the National Vehicle Efficiency Standard will play a vital role but there is much more that needs to be done to reduce the nation’s transport emissions.”

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Related article: Edify and Sosteneo partner to build Koorangie ESS

The Tesla Megapacks have arrived and been successfully craned into place at the KESS site, with the Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio MP onsite to help celebrate the milestone.

The Koorangie Energy Storage System is located in North West Victoria, near the town of Kerang.

Construction of the 185MW/370MWh KESS facility is on schedule and charging towards energisation and commercial operations in 2025.

KESS will be able to power 350,000 homes for 2 hours. With its grid forming capabilities, it will liberate significant renewable energy capacity in the region supporting Victoria’s and Australia’s renewable energy transition.

KESS has entered into a 15-year offtake agreement with Shell Energy and in parallel provides critical system strength services through a 20 year System Support Agreement with AEMO.

To finance and deliver the $400 million Koorangie Energy Storage System, one of the largest and most advanced energy storage systems on the network, Edify has partnered with Sosteneo, a specialist infrastructure investor.

Related article: Edify gets $48M funding for Townsville Green Hydrogen Hub

Minister D’Ambrosio said, “Koorangie is a cutting-edge facility that will help Victoria hit our energy storage targets and support our transition to renewable energy that will provide stability to our energy grid regional Victoria.”

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Related article: Nectr inks renewables deal with Cumberland Council

Tesla’s Powerwall2, is now part of the suite of home batteries offered as part of Nectr’s solar and battery bundles. In addition, Nectr has now launched Nectr Evolve—a virtual power plant (VPP) that represents the next evolution of clean, green, and sustainable energy solutions for Australian homeowners.

Nectr Evolve is an ecosystem of multiple solar and battery systems across various homes on Nectr’s VPP plans, to create a network that can efficiently store, and distribute renewable energy. It also optimises the efficiency of home batteries and trades unused energy during times of peak demand to contribute to a more stable and cleaner grid system.

Coupling Nectr Evolve’s VPP plans—Nectr BEEyond and Nectr Plan BEE—with compatible home batteries, owners can benefit from more affordable energy and support Australia’s energy network. With a broader suite of home batteries available under Nectr Evolve, homeowners have greater flexibility to choose a system that suits their storage needs.

Nectr managing director Tae Hong Kim said, “With Nectr, Australian homeowners have access to a wide array of high-quality solar and battery products such as Tesla’s Powerwall2, financing options and choices of VPP plans for existing or new battery systems.

Related article: Community housing tenants invited to join Tesla VPP in SA

“Now that Australia’s most popular battery storage brand is on board with Nectr, we aim to help more homeowners understand how VPP technologies, such as Nectr Evolve, can make energy more affordable and contribute to the nation’s broader shift to renewable energy.”

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Related article: BYD snatches crown from Tesla as world’s top EV maker

The company, which was valued at US$2.9 billion when it went public in 2020, said in a statement it was in discussion with stakeholders over the sale of its assets.

In March, Fisker halted the production of its most recent model, the Ocean SUV, citing delays on parts, labour problems, and high inflation affecting consumer demand.

According to PC Mag, Fisker laid off hundreds of staff in March and conducted more layoffs last month. US transportation regulators are also currently conducting three investigations into Fisker.

Fellow US EV maker Tesla also announced more than 14,000 job cuts in April.

Related article: Are we there yet? Accelerating Australia’s transition to EVs

The news comes as Chinese EV makers continue to tighten their grip on the EV market, with EV sales in China accounting for more than 60% of global EV sales in January.

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Unity Housing, one of the state’s largest community housing providers (CHP), in partnership with Tesla, will be the first CHP to provide tenants access to South Australia’s Virtual Power Plant (SAVPP)—the largest VPP in the nation.

Related article: Tesla launches Phase 4 of South Australia’s VPP

This is the first time the SAVPP—set up by Tesla in 2017 with support from the State Government initially for public housing tenants—is being opened to low to moderate income tenants in community housing.

Unity Housing CEO Matthew Woodward said the partnership was a game-changer for the national community housing sector, benefiting tenant households and the environment.

Woodward said Tesla would install batteries and/or solar panels to the homes of eligible Unity Housing tenants so they could generate and store green energy, returning excess into the grid, at no cost to the tenant.

“Unity Housing tenants will be the first in the community housing sector to share the benefits of cheaper and renewable energy at scale by participating in this scheme at a time when household budgets are under increasing pressure from rising living costs,” he said.

“That’s what makes this initiative so important—it provides people in greatest need with no-cost green energy infrastructure that will help manage the household budget, reducing stress and anxiety and improving health and wellbeing, while helping the environment. It’s a win, win, win.”

Tesla, through Energy Locals, shares the benefits of savings from energy produced via the solar and battery systems by providing tenants the lowest energy prices in SA.

Related article: Alinga’s Ruby Heard on equity through energy

Unity Housing tenants could save up to $562 a year—or 25% off the South Australian Default Market Offer based on average tenant household usage.

To date, more than 250 Unity Housing tenants, located predominantly across Adelaide’s western suburbs, have registered to join the SAVPP and more than 150 have been benefitting from cheaper electricity over the past three months through the installation of batteries and/or solar panels.

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Related article: Construction starts on 500MW Collie Battery in WA

The service will be delivered by Stage 2 of Collie Battery sized at 341 MW / 1,363 MWh and consisting of 348 Tesla Megapack 2 XL units. The project will connect to Western Power’s new Palmer Terminal substation in the South-West Interconnected System (SWIS), a separate network to the one on the eastern coast of Australia.

Neoen has provided notices to proceed to Tesla and construction contractor UGL (a member of the CIMIC Group) signalling the start of construction for Stage 2 of Collie Battery, which is expected to be operational in Q4 2025.

It follows on from the 219MW/877MWh Stage 1, which won a similar 197MW/4-hour contract with AEMO in June 2023, and is currently under construction and on track to start operating in Q4 2024.

Collie Battery Stage 2 will provide 300MW of storage capacity for 4 hours discharging across the evening peak. This is intended to address the risks AEMO has identified related to the retirement of coal power plants, high penetration of rooftop solar and increasing energy demand in Western Australia.

The announcement takes Neoen Australia’s total asset portfolio to 4GW of capacity in operation or under construction, cementing its position as the country’s largest developer, owner and operator of renewable energy.

Neoen Australia CEO Louis de Sambucy said, “We are thrilled to have won this second NCESS contract and would like to thank AEMO, Western Power and the WA Government for their continued trust. We are looking forward to the major contribution Collie Battery will make to supporting WA’s energy transition.

Related article: First battery units arrive at Waratah Super Battery site

“I would also like to congratulate the team on reaching the milestone of 4GW of capacity in Australia—it represents an extraordinary collective effort over the past 12 years.”

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Related article: Aussie suburbs overtake inner-city areas on EV uptake

To get more electric vehicles (EVs) on the road and cut emissions, the Australian Government has proposed vehicle efficiency standards that will penalise car makers who import emissions-intensive vehicless and reward those who bring in cleaner ones.

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) has said the government’s preferred option would raise prices and limit options.

Polestar Australia said the lobby group’s commentary against the proposed regulations had “irrevocably damaged” public trust in the policy.

In a letter to the FCAI, Polestar said delaying or making the standards less stringent would keep Australia a dumping ground for old technology vehicles and force the emissions burden elsewhere in the economy.

“The brand cannot in good faith continue to allow its membership fees to fund a campaign designed to deliberately slow the car industry’s contribution to Australia’s emissions reduction potential,” Polestar Australia head Samantha Johnson said in the letter.

Tesla quit the FCAI on Thursday and resigned from its board, accusing it of making false claims about the proposed standards and their effect on car prices.

The FCAI responded saying it could not support a standard that met the needs of the owners of premium vehicles while leaving others with fewer choices and higher prices.

The Australian Government opened consultation on the standards in February, and also released a “preferred model” for the new standards.

Related article: Labor’s fuel-efficiency standards may settle the ute dispute—but there are still hazards on the road

Until recently, Australia was the only developed country apart from Russia without fuel efficiency standards.

The post Tesla and Polestar quit Australian auto lobby in protest appeared first on Energy Source & Distribution.

Related article: RACV to upgrade and expand Victorian EV charging network

The new data, compiled by the EVC, shows the shift, with inner metropolitan EV orders (38.95%) being outstripped by those placed in outer metropolitan suburbs (43.29%).

The divide is even greater when combining EV uptake in outer metro, regional and rural areas (61.05%).

Electric Vehicle Council CEO Behyad Jafari said, “I think some tired stereotypes about EVs in Australia will need to be updated.

“What this data tells us is that the average EV buyer lives in the suburbs and might well be keen to use the new car to take the kids camping on the weekend. They might even be thinking about towing a boat.

“Suburban EV buyers who are sensitive to the cost of living will be looking forward to no longer worrying about foreign oil spikes or costly regular repairs and services.

“This demographic shift represents a new reality that opponents of EVs will rapidly have to come to terms with. EVs are not novel—they are now a suburban, mainstream Australian reality and that trend is only set to continue.

“We’re seeing massive EV uptake in middle-income outer suburbs, including strong uptake across western Sydney.

Related article: Sparkie develops Australia’s first portable EV charger

“People residing even further away from the capital cities are also embracing electric cars—nearly 18% of EV orders are being placed in regional and rural areas.”

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Related article: CleanCo opens EOIs for Swanbank Clean Energy Hub

The Swanbank Battery will be constructed on the site of the former Swanbank B coal-fired power station, and will be one of Queensland’s biggest batteries.

With an impressive capacity of 250MW/500MWh, the battery can store enough energy to power more than two-thirds of Ipswich for two hours each night when demand rises as the sun sets.

CleanCo’s first battery storage project will see the Tesla battery arrive later this year. CleanCo plans to have the site energised by mid-2025, adding significant storage capacity to Queensland’s electricity network.

CleanCo CEO Tom Metcalfe said, “This project marks our commitment to a sustainable energy future for Queensland, marking the beginning of the Swanbank Clean Energy Hub’s transformative journey.

“The Swanbank Battery will add significant capacity for CleanCo to supply our customers with competitively priced, reliable clean energy around the clock.

“CleanCo has consulted extensively with the local community to develop a master plan for the Swanbank Clean Energy Hub, ensuring it is not only South East Queensland’s flagship energy precinct, but that it reflects the values and needs of the local community as well.”

Yurika executive general manager Belinda Watton said, “Energy infrastructure is at the core of what we do, and we’re really looking forward to the partnership with CleanCo Queensland, Tesla and of course the local community to reimagine Swanbank through its Clean Energy Hub.

Related article: Queensland introduces 75% by 2035 emission reduction bill

“Alongside cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy, this publicly owned asset supports the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, creating jobs for Queenslanders and signals an incredibly positive investment into our clean energy future.”

The post Construction begins on 250MW/500MWh Swanbank Battery appeared first on Energy Source & Distribution.

Plus Power executive chairman Brandon Keefe said, “This is a landmark milestone in the transition to clean energy. It’s the first time a battery has been used by a major utility to balance the grid: providing fast frequency response, synthetic inertia, and black start. This project is a postcard from the future—batteries will soon be providing these services, at scale, on the mainland.”

Related article: AGL reaches FID on Australia’s largest grid-forming battery

The KES battery project, located on 8 acres of industrial land on the southwest side of Oahu near Honolulu, uses 158 Tesla Megapack 2 XL lithium iron phosphate batteries, each roughly the size of a shipping container.

It offers the grid 185MW of total power capacity and 565MWh of electricity, acting as an electrical “shock absorber” often served by combustion-powered peaker plants—responding in the blink of an eye (250 milliseconds), rather than the several minutes it takes combustion plants to come online.

“KES is an important part of a portfolio of resources that work together to provide reliability and energy security on Oahu’s isolated island grid,” Hawaiian Electric senior vice president and chief operations officer Jim Alberts said.

“Energy storage technology that responds quickly to constantly changing conditions is an essential tool for us to use to manage the grid and operate it as efficiently as possible.”

Customer-sited solar power has become so abundant that Hawaiian Electric must regularly ‘curtail’ or turn off large volumes of existing utility-scale solar and wind to keep the electric system in balance.

Hawaiian Electric’s modeling found that in its first five years in operation, the KES battery plant will allow the utility to reduce curtailment of renewable energy by 69% and integrate 10% more new utility-scale renewables than previous models had allowed, while providing for the continued rapid growth of individually-owned renewables such as rooftop solar.

According to Hawaiian Electric, the project will save customers money. The Hawaiian Electric filing for KES estimated it will reduce electric bills by an average of $0.28 per month over a 20-year contract life.

The KES plant interconnects near three of Hawaiian Electric’s critical power generation facilities, enabling KES to support the reboot of those power plants in the event of an island-wide emergency, otherwise known as ‘black start’ capability.

Related article: Battery systems now in place at Kwinana Stage Two

The KES batteries will help replace the grid capacity formerly provided by an AES coal power plant less than a mile away. That plant once produced up to one-fifth of the electricity on Oahu, home to nearly a million of Hawaii’s 1.5 million people and Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps bases that require reliable power. The coal plant closed in September 2022.

By June 2024, Plus Power says it will be operating a total of seven large-scale battery energy storage plants across Arizona and Texas, for a total of 1325MW/3500MWh.

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Related article: BYD snatches crown from Tesla as world’s top EV maker

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries data shows there were 98,217 new BEV and PHEV passenger and SUV sales in Australia in 2023 (11.03% of total passenger vehicle and SUV sales), up from just 39,294 (5.05% of total passenger vehicle and SUV sales) the year before.

NALSPA CEO Rohan Martin said the federal government’s EV Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption has been a game-changer for everyday working Australians considering the switch to zero or low emissions cars.

“The year 2023 witnessed a significant surge in new EV annual sales in Australia, with the FBT exemption being a crucial catalyst amongst other drivers, including improved new vehicle supply,” Martin said.

“More Australians than ever before are purchasing an electric vehicle. They are cheaper to run compared to petrol cars and through government discounts and novated leasing options they have never been more affordable.

“We remain optimistic electric vehicle sales will continue to accelerate this year as awareness about the benefits of EVs and the EV FBT exemption grows, and supply continues to improve. Improved supply was a key driver behind Australia’s record total of 1.2 million new car sales, including light and heavy commercial vehicles, in 2023, up 12.5% from 2022.

“Zero and low emissions cars will become a more attractive option for consumers.
as new and more affordable BEV and PHEV models are released on our shores in 2024 and beyond.

“The EV FBT policy is among a range of factors helping Australia gradually increase its EV uptake in line with other parts of the world—albeit we still have a way to go in the orderly transition to zero and low emissions cars.”

NALSPA data of the top five BEV and PHEV vehicles purchased through novated leases since the commencement of the EV FBT exemption shows some of the more affordable models are proving to be popular.

Related article: Ship carrying Teslas and stink bugs ordered back to China

“In the past year we’ve seen some of the more affordable EV models grow in popularity. More consumer choice combined with the significant cost savings achieved through the EV FBT exemption, and the lower running costs associated with such vehicles, has empowered many more everyday working Australians to consider and own an EV,” Martin said.

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Related article: Ship carrying Teslas and stink bugs ordered back to China

In the fourth quarter of 2023, BYD overtook Tesla for the first time, with 526,409 sales against Tesla’s 484,000-plus reported sales.

Sales of BYD EVs increased by 73% last year compared to 38% growth for Tesla.

The Chinese carmaker celebrated its 5 millionth EV rolling off the production line in August last year, and the company is now ranked among the top 10 selling carmakers globally.

Over the past 18 months the carmaker has introduced dozens of new models in comparison to Tesla launching just one new model in 2023, the Cybertruck pick-up, which is two years behind schedule.

Despite this, Tesla is still leading BYD in Australian EV sales. According to Drive, in 2023 Tesla reported 43,924 deliveries in Australia compared to 10,975 for BYD.

Related article: BYD unveils “absurdly cheap” Seagull EV in China

BYD was founded by Wang Chuanfu in February 1995. The company has several major subsidiaries: BYD Auto, which produces hybrid and electric vehicles; BYD Electronic, which produces electronic parts and assembly; and FinDreams, which produces automotive components.

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According to a report in The Canberra Times, the Glovis Caravel had been circling waters off the coast of Brisbane for weeks as the crew fumigated the vessel.

Related article: Tesla makes official application to sell electricity in Australia 

The Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry confirmed there were live Yellow Spotted Stink Bugs found onboard the Glovis Caravel in addition to other biosecurity risks.

“The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has been working with a vehicle carrier to manage biosecurity risk posed by live insects detected on the vessel and its goods,”  Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry spokesperson said.

“The vessel became subject to biosecurity control upon entry into Australian territory. The Department understands that the vessel has left Australian territory in order to manage the biosecurity risk associated with the goods.

“There were multiple detections, including Yellow Spotted Stink Bug, which poses significant threat to Australia’s plant health and environment because of the damage it can do to agricultural crops, fruit and ornamental trees.

“The department’s primary concern is the management of biosecurity risk to protect Australia. The goods can be unloaded when biosecurity risks have been managed to an acceptable level.”

Prospective Tesla Model Y owners with vehicles onboard the Glovis Caravel have reportedly been contacted by Tesla regarding the delay.

“We are actively investigating all available options to get your Model Y to you as soon as possible,” an email seen by CarExpert stated.

Related article: Australia’s Magnis to supply graphite for Tesla batteries

“This may include reassigning your order to a vehicle from the next batch of production. Further details will be provided in the coming week.”

This isn’t the Glovis Caravel’s first issue with stink bug infestation. In 2018, the New Zealand Herald reported the cargo ship was ordered to leave New Zealand after live stink bugs were observed onboard.

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