AusNet Services - Ballarat Energy Storage System

The project was constructed in nine months and is capable of dispatching services for all eight Frequency Control Ancillary Services (FCAS) markets and energy to the National Electricity Market (NEM). The BESS was a consortium project undertaken by the Spotless / Downer Group, Fluence, AusNet Services, and EnergyAustralia and Egis (formerly Peracon*) was engaged by AusNet Services.

The system is installed at Ballarat Terminal Station (BATS) and is connected to the transmission network via the BATS No.1 transformer tertiary winding (rated at 22kV 40MVA). The Ballarat System is registered to operate as a 30MW generator, a 30MW load, and to provide regulation Frequency Control Ancillary Services (FCAS) raise and lower, as well as all six contingency FCAS markets.

The Ballarat Terminal Station is the central hub for the electricity transmission network in western Victoria, and the location was chosen to add new capabilities at AusNet Services’ existing facility to support further renewable electricity generation, in addition to over 620MW of existing local renewable energy generation¹.

¹ Australian Government Australian Renewable Energy Agency

Egis (formerly Peracon*) successfully completed the detailed design of the electrical, SCADA and protection systems for the BESS. Our team integrated the BESS into the AusNet Ballarat Terminal Station (BATS), by also completing the separate design package of the primary, secondary and civil/structural design on the existing Ballarat site.

Our scope included:

Primary design
Secondary design
Structural design for the AusNet site
Protection philosophy
Relay configuration files
On-site commissioning of SCADA and protection relays

Our experienced team of engineers produced design documentation, as well as providing the necessary onsite support during testing and commissioning. Egis was able to dovetail the requirements of Downer with those of AusNet to enable the successful integration of the BESS on the Ballarat Terminal Station site. Our experience working on brownfield sites and knowledge of AusNet’s requirements simplified the delivery of the project.

*Peracon was acquired by Egis in March 2025.

The project was designed to provide the following outcomes:

To enhance network stability and reduce congestion on Victoria’s transmission grid through direct grid connection and participation in both Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM) contingency and regulation Frequency Control Ancillary Services (FCAS) markets
To add a peak power resource to help manage price volatility and reliability risks during high demand periods, by providing a reliable energy source to the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)

AusNet Services - Ballarat Energy Storage System.

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