Report extract
The energy system transition creates technical challenges, such as ensuring the system has enough inertia. A stable and reliable network requires inertia to support the power system to resist changes in frequency. Traditionally, inertia is provided by synchronous generators, such as coal plants, but following the retirements of Liddell, Vales Point, Eraring and Bayswater Power Stations, the inertia level in NSW is unlikely to meet the double contingency secure planning level of 15,000 MWs for 93 per cent of the time. One way to address this inertia shortfall is through the provision of synthetic inertia through BESS.
BESS are increasingly recognised as potential solutions to those network challenges, as well as providing storage capacity for renewable generation. AEMO anticipates that by 2050, 16GW of storage will be provided by utility-scale batteries and pumped hydro storage. Furthermore, modelling indicates significant savings for NSW electricity customers from deploying BESS instead of traditional synchronous condensers to perform inertia services.