The 800 kW / 1,987 kWh lithium-ion battery system stores the excess solar energy and also provides grid-forming functions of the diesel generators, which so far were the single source of power of the Daly River community. Power and Water Corporation, the local energy provider, commissioned the construction of the hybrid system.

“The operation of diesel generators is not only expensive for Power and Water, but is also a burden for the environment because of air pollution and spill risks. Our energy storage solutions and the integration of renewable energies enable the cost effective transition of conventional power generation systems into hybrid systems. By temporarily storing excess energy as well as managing and stabilizing the grid, our system allows the diesel generators to be switched off completely during the day. This leads to an increase of renewable energies in hybrid systems, and ensures the supply of affordable and clean energy in the community,” says Steffen Heinrich, Technical Director at QINOUS.

“We look forward realising the battery system together with QINOUS. Their tender was technically and commercially compelling and we are always looking for innovative solutions to provide power to our most remote residents,” says Dow Airen, Senior Project Manager for the project at Power and Water. QINOUS was selected following an intensive examination of technical, qualitative and commercial criteria. Factory acceptance test of the battery system is planned in June, and the project is scheduled to go into operation in October 2016.

The Diesel-PV-Battery Hybrid system by Power and Water is part of a comprehensive plan to transform the energy system of Indigenous communities in the Australia’s Northern Territory. Overall, around 30 communities will be equipped with the corresponding infrastructure for the integration of solar power. The project is jointly funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the Northern Territory Government.