SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: Meridian Energy will start construction of the Ruakākā Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) within the primary quarter of 2023. The project will assemble New Zealand’s first large-scale grid battery storage system, offering Meridian with a flexible North Island asset, located south of Whangārei.
Meridian Energy Chief Executive Neal Barclay says the company’s approach to a battery storage system has evolved throughout its development phase.
“A North Island battery was initially a half of our response package to Rio Tinto’s termination of its electrical energy contract for the Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter. As we developed the opportunity, the BESS enterprise case proved to be an financial funding irrespective of Rio Tinto’s future in New Zealand.”
Mr Barclay says the BESS offers a number of new income streams, offering the ability to load shift between price periods and to take part within the North Island reserve electrical energy market.
“As intermittent renewable generation will increase on this country, the Ruakākā Battery Energy Storage System will assist handle present fluctuations through a low carbon footprint, reducing this country’s reliance on fossil fuels,” Mr Barclay says.
“We have a daring imaginative and prescient for Ruakākā, with a grid-scale photo voltaic farm deliberate to additional speed up our transition to a productive low carbon economy. The shared infrastructure provided by the BESS will considerably enhance the economics of the future photo voltaic farm,” provides Mr Barclay.
Global battery specialist Saft will present built-in battery supply, installation, commissioning and operational services for the Ruakākā BESS. Meridian Energy will handle a multi contract supply approach, with project completion anticipated within the second half of 2024.