Boasting a cutting edge solar and battery system that was first of its kind in South Australia.
Overview
Nestled on 6.2ha between the Southern Flinders Ranges and the Spencer Gulf and surrounded by wheat crops, commercial olive plantation and wine grape vineyards the Energy project sits adjacent the Baroota 132/33 kV substation.
The solar farm has an annual design capacity of 12,300 MWh.
Project Details
Solar Layout
Battery Energy System Storage (BESS) layout
Construction (Meralli Solar) of the Solar Array (8.9 MWp) connected via 2 @ SMA Sunny Central SC2500 Inverters, was completed and the Solar Farm commissioned in December 2019.
The DC-coupled Battery Energy Storage Solution (EVO Power),using CATL EnerOne LFP batteries, entered commercial operation in July 2023.
The Baroota Energy Project is connected to the adjacent (100 m south) ElectraNet/SA Power Networks 132/33 kV substation via 33 kV underground cable.
About the Location
Located 250 kilometres north of Adelaide, in the Mid-North region, Baroota is primarily an agricultural and viticultural area on the western edge of the Southern Flinders Ranges.
The district is exposed to plenty of sun throughout the year, making it a great spot on the South Australian network for a solar farm.
How does the Baroota Energy Project work?
The Baroota Energy project operates unattended, and a smart controller decides whether to generate energy from the solar panels and export directly to the grid or charge the batteries or a combination of both. If the sun is not shining, the controller decides when to send any stored energy to the grid.
Baroota is one of the first (sub 5 MW) utility scale DC-coupled PV and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in Australia, using two 2.5 MVA SMA Medium Voltage Power Stations (MVPS) and a bespoke Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system.
The MVPS control the DC-DC Converters (7 @ 500 kW SMA) and hence the energy flow, and step up the voltage to the local network voltage of 33,000 volts connecting via underground cable to the Baroota 132/33 kV substation 100 m to the south.
Growth Opportunities
The project is a sub 5 MW generator and holds a formal AEMO exemption to register as a generator. Currently configured as a merchant operation, and does offer the potential for significant augmentation, eg:
- Add additional Energy storage (MWh);
- Increase Converter capacity from 3.5 MW (current) to 5 MW (connection capacity);
- Participate in AEMO FCAS markets;
- Grid charging of BESS;
- BYO crypto-miners to capitalise on cheap/negative seasonal South Australian power;
- Large energy consumer looking to offset/hedge consumption;
- Community power plant project.
Non-Binding Expression-of-Interest
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