Overview
Powerlink plays a key role in influencing the energy system of the future, one that balances customer needs, while moving to a lower carbon future that includes battery and storage solutions, grid and generation technologies, and demand management.
Large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) involves a large number of battery modules being installed together. This approach can deliver numerous advantages to make the energy network more secure and stable, support the shift to renewables and contribute to reducing electricity costs to customers.
Powerlink has investigated the potential for batteries to be cost-effectively installed and connected to the transmission network at various locations in Queensland. By connecting to the transmission network in a coordinated way, the battery connection will deliver scale-efficiencies and operational cost-effectiveness.
We ran an Expression of Interest (EOI) to engage with external developers, investors and stakeholders in examining potential BESS opportunities to generate innovative commercial and technical models that are mutually beneficial.
The process was innovative and highly competitive, aimed at ensuring optimal outcomes for Powerlink, and ultimately Queensland consumers. We have worked with large-scale battery developers to identify the optimal battery solutions to be located at established substation sites in Queensland.
Status
Powerlink has signed an agreement with CS Energy to install a grid-scale battery at Powerlink's existing Greenbank Substation. As part of this work, we will be connecting a new 200MW battery (with 400MWh storage) into the Greenbank Substation, which supplies electricity to South East Queensland, in particular the Gold Coast, Logan and South Brisbane areas. The battery will have capacity to power 28,000 homes for two hours before needing to recharge.
This is Australia’s first truly cooperative BESS utilisation and optimisation scheme, partnering a transmission network provider with a generation and retail business.
Construction
To support connection of the battery Powerlink completed delivery of a 326 tonne transformer in November 2023. The transformer travelled just over 60 kilometres from the Port of Brisbane to the Greenbank Substation. The transformer was transported by two prime movers in the early hours of the morning. We would like to thank local residents, motorists and the wider community while these works were undertaken.
Essential out-of-hours works
Due to unexpected delays in the arrival of other essential equipment supporting installation of the transformer, we need to reschedule further works.
Essential out-of-hours works were planned to finish in December 2023 however they are now expected to be finalised in March 2024. For more information, please see our December 2023 Community Notice, available in the Factsheets and Community Notices section of this page.
The transformer is an essential piece of network equipment which converts high voltage electricity from Powerlink’s transmission network down to lower voltages, suitable for the battery energy storage system.
CS Energy have now mobilised on site and have started earthworks. Installation of the battery will commence in late 2024 and is expected to be fully operational by mid-2025, subject to good weather and site conditions.
Construction activities will be undertaken between 6.30am and 6.30pm, Monday to Saturday. Traffic controls will be in place to manage the small volume of additional construction-related traffic in the immediate area.
For further project updates or to learn more about the Greenbank BESS project we encourage you to subscribe to CS Energy’s mailing list or visit the CS Energy Greenbank Battery webpage.
Get Involved
Community information drop-in session
CS Energy and Powerlink hosted a local community information drop-in session at the Greenbank Community Centre in August 2023. We thank all those who came along to the information session to ask questions and give feedback on the project. If you missed these sessions, you can also provide feedback directly to CS Energy.