Energy Queensland proposes major battery storage project near Toowoomba to cater for ‘rapid growth’ of rooftop solar

Toowoomba could be getting a major battery storage project in the region soon, with plans submitted to the council recently.

Energy Queensland has proposed a new battery storage project just outside Toowoomba, with plans submitted to the council.

The Queensland Government has proposed a major battery storage project just outside Toowoomba, in a bid to cater for the “rapid growth” in rooftop solar panel use.

Energy Queensland submitted plans this month for an eight megawatt-hour battery storage system on Meringandan Road in Meringandan.

The project is related to a trial the State Government has announced to address “minimum demand challenges” in its system.

Toowoomba was among the areas selected due to having a high amount of residents with rooftop solar panels.

“September 2020 saw a record minimum instantaneous demand for electricity in Queensland, being 31 per cent lower than the previous year’s minimum demand,” town planner Benjamin Freese wrote in his report.

“Rapid growth in rooftop solar generation means system demand is becoming lower during daylight hours, as customers with solar PV are not only satisfying their own demand, but are also exporting excess electricity back into the electricity grid.

“Lower daytime demand means coal-fired generators need to turndown and then ramp-up in the early evening to ensure adequate supply.

“Commercial scale solar farms and wind farms may need to constrain their output during the day due to insufficient system demand and increased power supply from rooftop installations.

“Meanwhile, peak demand in the evening continues to increase.”

Mr Freese said battery storage would allow Energy Queensland to balance periods of high and low demand for energy by storing excess power in the systems.

“Energy Queensland’s proposed network connected battery storage trial will provide distributed battery storage, resulting in better management of the distribution network and allowing cheaper power generated during the day to be supplied to customers during the evening,” he said.

“The battery enclosure will occupy an area of approximately 440 sqm and is to be located behind the existing landscaped screening to Meringandan Road.”

Mr Freese said the project would likely be owned and operated by a third party.

The council has yet to respond with an information request.