Finland-based technology group Wärtsilä will deliver a 64 MW / 128 MWh energy storage system for Octopus Australia’s Fulham Solar Battery Hybrid project, marking one of the first large-scale DC-coupled hybrid systems in Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM).
The project, which pairs the battery with an 80 MW AC solar farm in Victoria, underscores a strategic shift toward co-located renewable energy and storage solutions to mitigate grid instability and curtailment issues.
The Fulham project secured Generator Performance Standards (GPS) approval in June 2024, a critical step in validating its design and operational compliance. DC-coupled architectures, which connect solar generation directly to batteries via DC/DC converters, reduce conversion losses compared to traditional AC-coupled systems. Wärtsilä’s GEMS Power Plant Controller (PPC) technology will manage the integration of storage and solar assets, optimizing power control and ensuring grid compliance.
The project reflects broader industry trends, as Australia’s renewable curtailment rates reached 7% for solar and 5% for wind in 2023, driving demand for hybrid solutions. DC-coupled systems, while less common than AC configurations, offer up to 5% higher efficiency by minimizing energy conversions, according to 2024 data from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).
As the NEM grapples with fluctuating renewable output, the Fulham Hybrid Battery project highlights the technical and regulatory challenges of scaling storage. Wärtsilä’s involvement signals growing confidence in DC-coupled architectures, though their broader adoption hinges on cost reductions and standardized grid compliance frameworks.
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