Little River Battery Energy Storage System

We are a Victorian-headquartered team of renewable energy experts across the development value chain aiming to help meet the growing demand for high quality utility-scale solar and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) which are critical to decarbonising our energy future whilst keeping the lights on. With a successful track record of more than 32+ projects across Australia, we are a reliable partner in renewable energy project development with a specialty in operating across Victoria.

We are one of Australia’s leading energy experts and a long-term partner to the communities in which we work. Our approach has been proven, with over 1.1GW of successfully delivered projects within our portfolio. Our approach is underpinned by decades of combined experience in project development; from working with landowners and local communities to securing sites and grid connections to EPC and operations and maintenance.

Battery Energy Storage Systems are critical to the energy transition and to maintaining energy reliability. They take energy at times of excess generation, for example, during the day when solar panels are producing electricity and store it to be used at times of high or peak demand. This ensures the lights stay on and that energy remains affordable.

BESS are deployed safely right across Australia and around the world. Compared to solar or wind farms, they have a relatively small footprint, with each BESS unit around the size of a shipping container, and smaller than many agricultural buildings.

The Little River BESS project is set to be located on a subdivision of land, confined to the eastern end of the site, adjacent to Sandy Creek Road with the remainder of the site continuing to be used for agriculture.

The proposed Little River BESS development will comprise approximately 372 BESS units and 124 Medium Voltage Power Stations (MVPS) with a total capacity of approximately 770MWh of electricity storage off the grid from the 220kV overhead transmission lines that traverse the south-east corner of the overall site. 13.7 hectares of the 93.3 hectare site will be used to accommodate the BESS units and supporting infrastructure. A switching station and connection asset including a control room will also be located on the site to support the BESS.

Each BESS unit is around the size of a shipping container, and smaller than many agricultural buildings. The BESS units (including MVPS) will occupy approximately 7.6 hectares within the north of the development site. Each BESS unit comes in the form of a long white portable shipping container-like structure, measuring approximately 9.5 metres long, 1.7 metres deep and 2.6 metres in height.
The Connection Asset (Control Room) will occupy approximately 2.3 hectares within the south-west corner of the site. The control room will typically be 7 x 10 metres and include several offices, a lunchroom and toilets.

The Little River BESS project is set to be located on a subdivision of land, confined to the eastern end of the site, adjacent to Sandy Creek Road with the remainder of the site continuing to be used for agriculture.

BESS are deployed safely right across Australia and around the world. Compared to solar or wind farms, they have a relatively small footprint, with each BESS unit around the size of a shipping container, and smaller than many agricultural buildings.

In consultation with the Country Fire Authority (CFA), the project will incorporate specific bushfire risk management techniques recommended in the CFA’s Design Guidelines and Model Requirements for Renewable Energy Installations (2022). These include creating significant fuel breaks, maintaining a substantial static water supply, ensuring easy access for firefighting efforts, and implementing robust evacuation and staff training programs.

Given the comprehensive risk management measures in place, including both physical infrastructure and strategic planning policies, the project is expected to pose a low fire risk. With the implementation of the final Bushfire Risk Management Plan, which will outline additional tailored strategies, the project aims to align with the bushfire protection objectives and requirements set by the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme and the CFA guidelines, effectively minimising any fire risk to the area.

The BESS units are equipped with advanced fire suppression systems, including aerosol fire suppressants, combustible gas detectors, smoke detectors, and temperature detectors, which are designed to detect and extinguish fires promptly. This ensures a rapid response to any potential fire threats, mitigating risks to the facility.

Moreover, the Bushfire Hazard Landscape Assessment indicates that while the site’s vicinity to the You Yangs Regional Park and surrounding farmlands classifies it as a higher bushfire risk area (Type 3 Landscape), active management practices such as fuel reduction burns have minimised the threat. The farmland between the park and the site also serves as a buffer, reducing the overall risk.

In consultation with the Country Fire Authority (CFA), the project will incorporate specific bushfire risk management techniques recommended in the CFA’s Design Guidelines and Model Requirements for Renewable Energy Installations (2022). These include creating significant fuel breaks, maintaining a substantial static water supply, ensuring easy access for firefighting efforts, and implementing robust evacuation and staff training programs.

Given the comprehensive risk management measures in place, including both physical infrastructure and strategic planning policies, the project is expected to pose a low fire risk. With the implementation of the final Bushfire Risk Management Plan, which will outline additional tailored strategies, the project aims to align with the bushfire protection objectives and requirements set by the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme and the CFA guidelines, effectively minimising any fire risk to the area.

The process of Ministerial approval that we have undertaken is on account of the re-zoning required for the project. Whilst the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) is the responsible authority for the subdivision, use and development of the land, we have aimed to ensure all local stakeholders are aware of the proposal and that all concerns are heard. We have aimed to address all practical concerns for the project to ensure minimal impact and positive benefit to the region.

Put simply, the project will benefit the local area by supplying electricity when it’s needed most, adding more renewable energy to the power network, and reducing energy loss. It will also make the electricity supply more reliable, which helps prevent blackouts during times of high demand. Additionally, it could lower the cost of energy for everyone. The project will also help with issues in the Keilor-Deer-Park-Geelong power lines, possibly avoiding the need for expensive updates and helping to keep electricity prices down.

The project aims to minimise its visual impact in an area known for its scenic views of the You Yangs and the surrounding open foothills and plains. This area is protected under the Significant Landscape Overlay – Schedule 1 (SLO1), which values the open landscape and its contrast with the You Yangs. To adhere to these values, the project has been designed with careful consideration, including the use of two to three rows of native plants around its perimeter and the construction of 3 to 6-metre high noise walls in a neutral green colour to blend with the environment. These measures, along with the strategic siting and design of buildings and works, aim to ensure the equipment is less visible and maintain the scenic quality of the landscape. The project also introduces landscaping that could enhance the currently cleared site, next to existing industrial sites like a landfill and quarry, suggesting that the development could even improve the visual quality of the area while adhering to the objectives of SLO1.