Deep Dive: Technology features of the Bremer Battery Project
Highlights:
The Bremer Battery Project will play a pivotal role in stabilising the energy grid by storing excess energy and releasing it during peak demand periods, ensuring a reliable and lower-cost energy supply.
The project employs LFP technology, known for its superior cycle life and thermal stability, making it a safer choice for large-scale energy storage.
Advanced safety systems, including thermal management and integrated fire suppression, ensure the Bremer Battery operates safely, minimising the risk of overheating and fire incidents.
By mitigating the 'duck curve' and reducing reliance on costly peaking power plants, the Bremer Battery helps lower overall energy costs and decreases electricity prices for consumers.
The Bremer Battery Project will harness advanced battery storage technology to facilitate the seamless integration of energy from all sources into the grid, ensuring a secure, reliable, lower-cost, energy supply.
By maximising the efficient utilisation of energy generated from all sources, the Bremer Battery will play a pivotal role in delivering secure and reliable energy to Queensland households and businesses. The proposed battery site is located 20 km from Ipswich - about 8 minutes drive south of Rosewood, or 40 minutes drive from Brisbane.
What is a BESS (Battery Energy Storage System)?
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) store excess energy generated from all sources. They ensure grid stability, preventing blackouts, enhance energy security, and promote efficient use of generated energy. BESS’s can swiftly respond to fluctuations in energy supply and demand, making them indispensable for modern power grids.
In the event of natural disasters which hit Queensland all too frequently, a BESS may also support services and communities by providing backup energy supply.
Various BESS technologies exist, primarily differentiated by the type of battery used. The Bremer Battery project shall employ LFP technology, which is a safer option than some other battery solutions. LFP batteries use lithium iron phosphate as the cathode material and a graphitic carbon electrode with a metallic backing as the anode. These batteries have an energy density of around 90-120 Wh/kg. They boast a superior cycle life, often exceeding 10,000 cycles, which means that they have a longer operational lifespan. Their high thermal stability results in a lower risk of thermal runaway, making them safer for large-scale applications. The nominal voltage for LFP batteries is about 3.2V per cell, and they have a significantly reduced fire risk compared with other battery types, due to their stable chemistry.
The Bremer Battery is designed with an 850MW/3400MWh capacity, capable of storing large amounts of energy. It can discharge energy at a maximum rate of 850MW, making it suitable for meeting peak energy demands, for up to 4 hours.
The battery provides critical frequency regulation by injecting or absorbing power to maintain the grid frequency at 50 Hz, preventing frequency deviations that can lead to power outages. It also offers ancillary services such as voltage support, black start capability, and spinning reserve, essential for grid reliability.
Safety systems in the Bremer Battery include advanced thermal management systems to monitor and control the temperature of battery cells, preventing overheating. Integrated fire suppression systems mitigate the risk of fire incidents, while continuous monitoring and diagnostics detect any anomalies in the battery system and initiate corrective actions.
Mitigating the 'Duck Curve'
The 'duck curve' is a chart that illustrates the gap between energy production and consumption, particularly in regions with high amounts of daytime generation. During the day excess energy and surplus electricity is generated, creating a dip in the net load. Due to the laws of supply and demand, excess supply often means wholesale prices drop to zero or even negative! As energy generation decreases in the evening and demand peaks, the net load rises sharply.
The 'duck curve' phenomenon presents significant economic challenges for Australia's energy market. This mismatch leads to periods of oversupply followed by rapid increases in demand during lower supply times, necessitating the activation of fast acting but costly gas-fired peaking power plants. These operational inefficiencies increase prices for consumers, and strain the grid's financial resources.
The Bremer Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) mitigates these impacts by storing excess energy generated during the day and releasing it during peak demand periods in the evening. By smoothing out the demand curve, the BESS reduces the need for expensive peaking power plants, lowers overall energy costs, and enhances grid stability.
The Bremer Battery will help ensure that when Queenslanders come home in the evening and ‘flick the switch’, they can be sure that the lights and airconditioner will come on.
This efficient management of energy supply and demand not only curbs price volatility but also fosters a more economically sustainable energy market, reducing power prices to consumers.
Image Source: Global Critical Issues. (2023), Flattening the duck curve, Chapman University Blogs
Location
The location for the Bremer Battery project will enable it to connect to an existing 275kV Powerlink transmission line that runs from Toowoomba to Brisbane, ensuring efficient energy transmission and distribution. This integration will mean that the Bremer Battery will help stabilise the grid and ensuring that stored energy can be dispatched to areas with high demand such as Ipswich, Brisbane and the Gold Coast (over three million people).
The project location in Lower Mount Walker offers several advantages. It is centrally located between major energy generation and those using it in Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan and the Gold Coast allowing efficient energy storage and distribution.
Proximity to existing infrastructure and power lines means easier integration into the grid. The project will also contribute to economic development in the Lower Mount Walker and Rosewood communities through job creation and local procurement opportunities.
Community Benefits
The Bremer Battery Project offers numerous benefits to the local community.
It is expected to create over 200 jobs during construction and additional ongoing roles post-completion. The project will also stimulate local economic activity through procurement and supply opportunities for local businesses.
Significant funds will be shared with effected landowners and the local community, over the life of the project, through a Community Benefit Fund.
The Bremer Battery Project is a landmark local initiative that will enhance South East Queensland’s energy security, provide significant economic benefits, and contribute to the region's future. By addressing technical challenges such as the duck curve and grid stability, and leveraging advanced LFP battery technology, the project stands as a model for future energy storage solutions.