Wärtsilä is making significant strides in Australia’s renewable energy landscape, with two major projects set to reshape the sector’s future. The Finnish technology group will supply a 64MW/128MWh energy storage system for Octopus Australia’s Fulham solar battery hybrid project, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s transition to co-located hybrid renewable energy and storage solutions.
The Fulham project, one of Australia’s first large-scale direct current (DC)-coupled hybrid battery systems, pairs a 128MWh DC-coupled battery with an 80MW alternating current solar farm. This innovative approach underscores a growing trend toward integrating renewable energy and storage to bolster grid stability. “Securing generator performance standards (GPS) approval was crucial for the successful design and approval of the innovative system,” said a Wärtsilä spokesperson. This approval, granted in June 2024, highlights the project’s significance in Australia’s energy transition.
Wärtsilä’s GEMS power plant controller (PPC) technology will play a central role in managing the integration of the energy storage system and solar assets with the grid’s connection requirements. The GEMS hybrid PPC ensures seamless coordination between the solar farm and storage system, conducting intelligent power control and optimised energy management operations. “This ensures the project meets grid requirements, charges and discharges the battery appropriately, and maximises project value,” the spokesperson added.
The project will utilise Wärtsilä’s quantum high-energy storage technology, renowned for its advanced safety features and enhanced energy density. Construction has commenced, with completion expected in 2027. Wärtsilä will also provide a long-term service agreement to ensure continued performance and reliability. The ground-breaking ceremony, attended by Wärtsilä representatives, members of the Victorian state government, Octopus Australia, and other stakeholders, took place on 9 April 2025, signaling the project’s official commencement.
In another significant development, Wärtsilä secured a contract in October 2024 to deliver a 150MW battery energy storage system to Amp Energy in South Australia. The standalone system, with 300MWh capacity, aims to bolster energy security and reliability amid South Australia’s increasing reliance on renewable energy sources. The Bungama battery energy storage system project, currently in its first stage, will also utilise Wärtsilä’s quantum high-energy storage technology.
These projects underscore Wärtsilä’s commitment to driving innovation in the energy sector. The Fulham project, in particular, demonstrates the value of DC-coupled technology at scale and sets a precedent for future hybrid renewable energy and storage solutions. As Australia continues to transition towards a more sustainable energy future, these developments will play a crucial role in shaping the sector’s trajectory. The integration of advanced energy storage technologies and intelligent power management systems will be key to achieving a stable and reliable grid, capable of supporting the country’s growing renewable energy ambitions.
