Spanning across approximately 5 hectares of land, the Macedon BESS Project will be located approximately 3.5 km south of Macedon township, and about 60 km north-west of Melbourne, Victoria state’s capital.

With a proposed capacity of approximately 100 megawatts (MW), and 400 megawatt-hour (MWh) energy storage, the Macedon BESS Project is expected to charge and discharge stored energy enough to power the equivalent of approximately 35,000 households for a 4-hour discharge.

The project is currently under development with construction expected to commence in early 2027, achieving full operation in Q2 2028.

HOW WILL THE PROJECT OPERATE?

The Macedon BESS Project will assist in renewable energy integration, such as solar and wind, by storing excess energy generated during peak production times and releasing it during periods of high demand. Macedon BESS Project will be built using modern and proven lithium battery storage technology and connected to the energy network through converter skids and power transformers.

During the charging phase, the electricity produced by solar PV, wind, and other generators on the energy network will be stored in the BESS by stepping down the voltages successively using power transformers and then converting from Alternating Current (AC) to Direct Current (DC) by electronic power converters. When needed, the process is reversed, where the energy stored in the BESS will be converted back to Alternating Current (AC) by the electronic power converters and the voltage is stepped up successively by power transformers to the required level for grid connection. Ultimately, the power will be fed into our electricity grid known as the National Electricity Market (NEM). The NEM supports around 80% of the entire Australian population with electricity and is one of the most expansive electrical networks in the world.

Macedon BESS Battery Operation Benefits

  • Grid Stability and Reliability: The 100 MW 4-hour stand-alone BESS enhances grid stability by providing a bi-directional power function, helping to smooth out power fluctuations.
  • Renewable Energy Integration: Facilitates greater integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, by storing excess energy generated during peak production times and releasing it during periods of high demand.
  • Peak Load Management: Helps manage peak load demands, reducing the need for expensive and carbon-intensive peaking power plants, thereby lowering operational costs and environmental impact.
  • Essential System Services: Has the potential to provide additional system services to increase resilience of the local energy infrastructure.

Our Approach

Macedon BESS Project is expected to bring empowerment and economic growth to the local community. Our open dialogue with local residents, community groups, the Council and relevant authorities ensures that all opinions and ideas are considered in the process. We appreciate the input from members of the local community and always strive to work in conjunction with them to address any enquiries about the project.

The project approval process will follow the Victorian Development Facilitation Program. Therefore, it will be assessed by the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) and must follow a rigorous approval process set by the state government. The time it takes from the submission of the Development Application to final approval or rejection typically takes 4-6 months. Therefore, subject to approval, construction is anticipated to start at the earliest around 12 months from today.

Furthermore, we have commissioned a range of in-depth environmental assessments and engineering studies to identify and manage any potential impacts to the environment. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Preservation of cultural and heritage sites;
  • Management of traffic conditions;
  • Protecting the local ecology (both flora and fauna) by managing environmental risks;
  • Surface water evaluations to ensure the integrity of the existing watercourse; and
  • Visual landscaping and using vegetation as natural screening from the surrounding area.