New battery at Dalrymple boosts South Australia’s energy security

A new battery on the Yorke Peninsula has strengthened the state’s electricity grid.

A new battery on the Yorke Peninsula has strengthened the state’s electricity grid.

The Federal Government on Tuesday announced the completion of a large-scale battery at the Dalrymple substation.

The $30 million battery, which received a government grant, was built by the state’s electricity transmission company, ElectraNet.

ElectraNet chief executive Steve Masters said on average, the 30MW indoor battery could provide back-up power to 4500 customers in the Dalrymple service area for up to three hours.

The battery is connected to the National Energy Market and will be operated by AGL, relying on input from AGL’s Wattle Point Wind Farm on the Yorke Peninsula, as well as rooftop solar.

Battery at Dalrymple substation

Grey MP Rowan Ramsey said the Dalrymple battery would provide more reliable power for customers at the fringe of the SA grid.

“The Dalrymple battery is strategically located to instantly respond to the intermittency and variability of power generated from nearby wind farms at the tip of the Yorke Peninsula,” Mr Ramsey said.

“It’s storage capacity will help keep the lights on in the event of a network issue further up the grid.”

State Energy Minister Dan van Holst Pellekaan said it was an excellent example of the type of innovative technology that will further strengthen our system.