Australian energy major AGL Energy and Neoen have signed a 10-year “virtual battery” contract to build a second 270MW/540MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) at the Western Downs Battery project in Queensland, Australia.

Australian electricity retailer AGL Energy confirmed yesterday (14 August) it has entered into a binding agreement to acquire battery energy storage system (BESS) developer Firm Power along with solar PV developer Terrain Solar.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), has given utility company AGL Energy (AGL) the task of examining the business case for grid-connected energy storage in South Australia, with AGL to receive AUS$445,000 (US$390,000) of funding.