Wärtsilä is set to deliver Australia’s largest DC-coupled hybrid battery energy storage system, marking its second DC-coupled project in the country and a major milestone for the National Electricity Market (NEM).
The system will be capable of powering up to 120,000 homes and businesses, supporting Australia’s renewable energy ambitions. The order will be booked in Q4 2025, with the project expected to go live in 2028.
DC-coupled architecture directly links solar generation with battery storage via a DC/DC converter, reducing energy losses and capturing solar power that would otherwise be wasted. This approach improves project economics, enhances system efficiency, and supports grid stability amid rising curtailment of solar and wind.
The hybrid battery project has secured Generator Performance Standards (GPS) approval, a key step in integrating renewable generation and storage at scale. Wärtsilä’s optimisation technology was central to the system’s design and approval. The installation is backed by a 20-year service agreement.
“This project is significantly larger than our earlier DC-coupled project, underscoring the need for this type of technology in expanding at scale,” said David Hebert, vice president of global sales management, Wärtsilä Energy Storage. “It’s particularly exciting to work on the largest DC-coupled project in the country; DC-coupled technology is a breakthrough for hybrid renewable plants and a critical step towards establishing a financially viable renewable energy future.”
Wärtsilä’s GEMS software will manage integration of the solar and storage assets, ensuring intelligent power control and optimised energy management.
