Kwinana battery energy storage system

The growing adoption of rooftop solar systems in the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) means increased electricity flows into the network from residential homes, reducing demand for electricity produced by power stations. In certain circumstances, such as hot days with high electricity demand or high renewable penetration, system stability is challenged.

The Kwinana Battery Energy Storage System (KBESS) can charge and discharge rapidly, smoothing the supply volatility caused by solar and wind generation resulting in improved system stability and management of the electricity network. KBESS will also help by soaking up excess energy when demand is low during the day, storing it, and then discharging it into the system when demand increases in the afternoon and evening.

The KBESS project is a 100MW installation with a generation capacity of 200MWh. This enables it to power around 160,000 average homes in Western Australia (WA) for about two hours. The installation is constructed at Synergy’s partially decommissioned and rehabilitated Kwinana Power Station site.

The KBESS development will enable Synergy to optimise the use of existing generation assets and also provide greater stability to the South West Interconnected System, WA’s electrical grid.

The project included the construction of a 330kV substation including two 330/33kV 250MVA transformers, two 33kV switchrooms and dual 330kV circuits connecting into the existing Kwinana Terminal.

GHD provided extensive Owner’s Engineering services to support the delivery of the project including: 

• Early works support regulatory approvals advice
• FMECA and criticality analysis
• Full time site representation
• Detailed design review of contractor documentation and deliverables to enable a fully operational 100MW/200MWh BESS
• Construction verification and witnessing 
• Construction management
• Weekly and monthly construction reports
• Milestone claim verification 
• Dangerous Goods advice 
• Geotechnical support 
• Management and environmental testing of a soil screening facility to reuse excavated soil
• Site inspections in preparation for Contractor mobilisation
• Stormwater design
• Contract support

There was a lack of understanding across the BESS industry of the impact of a thermal runaway event and the infrastructure and processes required to safely manage such a contingency event. Synergy engaged GHD’s Dangerous Goods team to assess the potential outcomes of a battery fire to inform design modifications intended to limit the environmental, social and technical consequences of a thermal runaway event. The report also informed Synergy of the risk associated with a battery fire which resulted in the installation of an impermeable firewater containment system.

Now in operation, this project and its application of rapidly evolving storage technology, has set a benchmark for safety-in-design and meeting WA regulatory requirements.

The Kwinana BESS is a transformative infrastructure in commencing the transition to higher renewable energy penetration and achieving the interim 2030 emissions reduction targets set by the WA government.