Australia’s framework governing the energy obligations of large data centres advanced on multiple fronts last week.

ESN Premium speaks with Fluence’s Jeff Monday and Sam Markham on the opportunity battery energy storage could provide data centres in Australia.

Two Australian solar-plus-storage projects advance: Ark Energy secures AU$1.3 billion for 2.2GWh Richmond Valley project; Quinbrook submits 250MWp Queensland site.

German solar and storage developer ib vogt has received state planning approval for the 120MW/480MWh Wagga North battery energy storage system (BESS) in New South Wales, Australia.

The Port of Newcastle has become the first port in New South Wales, Australia, to be approved to safely store grid-scale lithium-ion battery storage systems.

Gloucester Coa has received planning approval from the New South Wales government for the 3.6GWh Stratford Pumped Hydro and Solar project.

Australian transmission operator Transgrid has opened a pathway for 900MW of grid-forming inverter-equipped battery storage to contribute to New South Wales’ minimum system strength requirements.

Australia’s federal government has added 11 new generation and energy storage projects to its National Renewable Energy Priority List.

Renewables company CleanPeak Energy has inked a 15-year agreement to supply Western Sydney International (WSI) Airport with 100% renewable energy, with 30MW/120MWh of battery energy storage on-site as part of the commercial arrangement.

More than 3.8GWh of combined BESS capacity has either cleared or is undergoing federal environmental assessment under Australia’s EPBC Act.