The $150 million, Chinchilla Battery is taking shape on the Western Downs where all 80 of its Tesla Megapack systems have been delivered to site in what will be the foundation project in the Kogan Creek Clean Energy Hub.
CS Energy is working with Tesla and Downer to build the Chinchilla Battery – a 100 megawatt / 200 megawatt hour Megapack project that is located next to CS Energy’s Kogan Creek Power Station.
The Chinchilla Battery will provide fast start electricity to support the reliability of Queensland’s electricity grid during peak demand periods.
The 80 Tesla Megapack systems for the Chinchilla Battery were progressively delivered to site in late 2022 and early 2023 and are now in place on their foundations.
CS Energy Acting Chief Executive Officer Andrew Varvari said the battery is part of CS Energy’s strategy to build a more diverse portfolio to meet our customers’ requirements and support Queensland’s future energy needs.
“Batteries are fast and flexible, with the ability to ramp up and down quickly to support the stability of the power and reduce wholesale price volatility," Mr Varvari said.
“When operational, the Chinchilla Battery will charge during the day when there is often a surplus of solar energy and then release it back into the grid when it is needed the most.”
The Chinchilla Battery is generating an economic boost for the Western Downs, with construction contractor Downer spending more than $3 million on suppliers and subcontractors in the Chinchilla and Dalby region.
Local contractors working on the project include Western Downs Civil, Healy Contracting, South Queensland Soils, Brandon & Associates, Ison Haulage and Fyfe (Chinchilla Office) and Queensland businesses such as Lazzaroni, Queensland Wastewater and East Coast Cranes are also involved.
Image: Josh Rose, Rob Terrick and Kenneth Clowes from East Coast Cranes at the Chinchilla Battery site.
Image: Western Downs Civil workers at the Chinchilla Battery.
Each Tesla Megapack arrived at site ready to install with fully integrated battery modules, inverters and thermal systems.
The Chinchilla Battery project will have a relatively small footprint (100m x 150m) and be connected to the grid via Powerlink’s 275 kV Western Downs substation.
Testing and commissioning of the Chinchilla Battery will be carried out later this year and the battery is expected to be operational in late 2023.