All eyes on South Australia

Brisbane-based energy group Lyon Solar says the current global attention on South Australia and its power issues is welcome. The company has been working closely with state governments in Australia and is on track to have multiple large-scale battery storage systems operational in SA this year, delivering what it says will be reliable, scalable, flexible power in time for summer peak demand.

Lyon is working with US-based AES Energy Storage to develop 200–250 MW of large-scale battery storage in the southern state.

“South Australia is the global epicentre for the imminent take-off of large-scale battery-based energy storage, which can solve power challenges like SA’s in months, not years,” said Lyon Partner David Green.

“Large-scale battery storage is such a compelling proposition for South Australia’s situation that multiple companies are sure to join the market, but Lyon is the only company close to being ready to build and be operational before next summer.

“We’ve been working with governments, utilities and regulators to navigate the country’s energy landscape and get proven clean, reliable solutions in place here.

“California had gas constraints in 2016 and large-scale batteries were chosen to fill the breach, on cost and their ability to provide reliable, flexible power,” he said.

Over the past decade, AES Energy Storage has deployed the world’s largest portfolio of large-scale battery storage, had the most operational experience with nearly 4 million megawatt-hours of delivered service and delivered the world’s largest battery storage system in six months, the company says.

Senior executives from AES are currently in Australia and, together with Lyon, are meeting state government officials, utilities and the grid operator to help chart a path forward in addressing Australia’s energy challenges.