Wärtsilä Plans Largest DC-Coupled Hybrid Battery System Australia

Wärtsilä Energy Storage is set to develop Australia's largest DC-coupled hybrid battery energy storage system (BESS), expected to be operational by 2028 and capable of powering up to 120,000 homes and businesses. This project, Wärtsilä's ninth BESS site in Australia and its second DC-coupled system, will expand the company's local footprint to 1.5 GW/5.5 GWh of capacity, supporting Australia's goal of net-zero emissions by 2045. The DC-coupled technology integrates solar generation with battery storage via a DC/DC converter, minimizing energy losses and capturing excess solar power that would otherwise be wasted, thereby enhancing efficiency, project economics, and grid stability. Wärtsilä's Greensmith Energy Management System (GEMS) software will manage the integration and grid connection requirements, and the project has secured approval for Generator Performance Standards, a critical step for large-scale renewable energy and storage integration. This initiative reflects a growing trend toward hybrid renewable energy solutions that stabilize the grid while advancing decarbonization efforts. Wärtsilä's vice president David Hebert emphasized the significance of this technology as a breakthrough for hybrid renewable plants and a key to establishing a financially viable renewable energy future in Australia.