Habitat Energy, a leading global optimiser of battery storage and renewable energy assets, has been appointed by Eku Energy, a global battery storage specialist, to optimise its Williamsdale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), a 250MW/500MWh battery to the south of Canberra, Australia.
The Williamsdale BESS is due to be operational in 2026 and forms part of the ACT Government’s Big Canberra Battery project, designed to deliver an ecosystem of batteries across the ACT to ensure the security and reliability of the territory’s electricity grid.
Through an innovative revenue swap arrangement, the ACT Government will receive a share of the revenue from the battery’s participation in the National Electricity Market (NEM). The Williamsdale BESS will also deliver a range of energy and essential grid services. In exchange, the Territory will provide Eku Energy with fixed quarterly payments over a period of 15 years.
Following a rigorous procurement process, Habitat Energy has been chosen by Eku Energy to optimise the battery’s participation in the NEM, ensuring the asset maximises revenue while providing essential system services, aimed to help the grid operate safely.
Via its fully integrated, end-to-end service Habitat Energy aims to provide best in market trading and optimisation to accelerate the uptake of BESS technology globally and support the transition to a clean energy future.
Habitat Energy’s approach combines advanced AI-powered algorithmic forecasting and trading with a team of local expert data scientists, software engineers and experienced traders.
The deal brings Habitat Energy’s global portfolio of assets under contract to over 2.8GW, and adds to its existing projects in Australia, including Spencer Energy, a co-located solar and vanadium flow battery project producing approximately 10 GWh of ‘dispatchable’ solar power each year.
We are delighted to have partnered with Eku Energy to optimise the Williamsdale BESS as we expand our global footprint. Eku’s specialist expertise in battery storage development is evident in their innovative financing approach and we look forward to working together to deliver the battery’s full revenue potential across wholesale energy and ancillary service markets.
”Greg Billman, Managing Director, Habitat Energy Australia
Our vision at Eku Energy is to accelerate the energy transition by providing safe, secure and cost-effective clean energy for existing and future generations. In order to achieve this, we look to select partners who share our vision as we strive to build best in class energy storage solutions. We are excited to be working with Habitat on the Williamsdale BESS and together we aim to manage Williamsdale BESS to deliver critical energy and grid services to Canberrans and the ACT.
”Elias Saba, Chief Technology Officer, Eku Energy
Habitat Energy is a portfolio company of Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners, a specialist investment manager focused exclusively on the infrastructure needed to drive the energy transition in the UK, US, and Australia.