Sungrow and Engie have broken ground on the Pelican Point Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in South Australia. This landmark project will make the region more energy resilient and help it incubate the technologies we need to move beyond fossil fuels. This site happens to be located right next door to Pelican Point gas fired power station, Outer Harbour, Adelaide. It’s aimed at providing concentrated energy storage capacity while improving grid stability service.
The Pelican Point BESS will be of substantial capacity as it is listed at 200 MWs. In addition, it will have an astonishing energy storage capacity of 400 MWh. Construction is scheduled to be complete with revenue service anticipated to start in the second half of 2027. This project marks Sungrow’s first grid-forming BESS project in South Australia. We’ve seen how it serves as a key ingredient to fortifying the local energy landscape.
Advanced Technology and Features
The ST5015UX battery containers from the PowerTitan 2.0 series will be used in the Pelican Point BESS. Engineers created these state-of-the-art containers to provide as much energy density as possible. They include liquid cooling and complex battery management systems. The transformative design maximizes stored energy and discharged energy efficiency. This enables the system to offset the electricity use of more than 29,400 typical South Australian households.
Joe Zhou, country director of Sungrow Australia said the company was excited about the project. He stated,
“The Pelican Point BESS marks an important step in Australia’s clean energy evolution. By combining Sungrow’s advanced grid-forming technology with Engie’s commitment to a carbon-neutral future, we’re delivering a solution built for today’s needs and tomorrow’s energy system.”
As a state-of-the-art design, this project improves overall system resilience. It further improves network stability, providing a reliable supply of electricity as South Australia transitions to a cleaner energy future.
Supporting Renewable Integration
The Pelican Point BESS is poised to play a pivotal role in supporting South Australia as it leads Australia in renewable energy integration. This effort speaks to our company’s commitment to this initiative,” said Joe Zhou, Sungrow’s president, noted.
“We’re proud to support South Australia as it continues to lead Australia in renewable integration.”
This partnership between Sungrow and Engie represents an important milestone in the region’s clean energy transition. The facility will help solidify the state’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions. Simultaneously, it will help provide a stable and secure energy supply.
Sungrow is going even further with their effort to lead the charge in renewable energy outside of Australia. It most recently partnered with Sunterra RE to deploy 1GWh of containerized, scalable battery energy storage systems at three big photovoltaic parks in Bulgaria.
Looking Ahead
Construction on the Pelican Point BESS recently began. Stakeholders feel its completion will mark a far-reaching victory and be a significant turning point in the region’s energy transition. With an emphasis on innovative technology and sustainability, the project reflects a growing trend towards renewable energy solutions aimed at achieving carbon neutrality.
