Broken Hill BESS
AGL Macquarie Pty Limited (AGL), with funding and support from ARENA, constructed a new 50MW/50MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) near Broken Hill which became operational in August 2024. The Broken Hill BESS provides supply to the TransGrid Broken Hill substation via a new 22kV overhead line, and includes advanced inverter technology with grid-forming capabilities and the ability to provide system strength services to the NEM to facilitate greater penetration of renewable energy and improve network stability.
GPA was engaged as Owners Engineer and played an active role throughout to support AGL including:
- Technical support to ensure the delivery of project contracts.
- Design review and approval of engineering drawings and documents to ensure compliance with AGL requirements, Australian and international standards.
- Interface with AGL Technical resources and engineering design contractors, and consultants to resolve technical issues and ensure design integrity.
- Provide technical support for managing authorities’ and service provider’s approval requirements.
- Ad-hoc detailed engineering design & review when requested by AGL.
- Participation in risk management, design review, HAZOP workshops and risk mitigation advisory.
- Provide technical support for the development of the generator performance standards (GPS) and registration/negotiations with AEMO.
- Construction Management & Supervision.
- Witness factory & site acceptance testing and sign off on construction completion activities.
- Provide owners engineer certification in relation to project contractors’ compliance with the project contracts requirements.
- Site support, overseeing commissioning activities & witness R1 & R2 GPS testing.
GPA’s specialist knowledge on Power Systems, HV Primary and Secondary Design, Instrumentation & Controls, Civil & Structural Engineering, Construction Support and NEM Grid Connection Support assisted AGL throughout the technically challenging project period, ensuring a satisfactory result and a successfully delivered project.
