Queensland Government backs energy storage solutions

Queensland Government-owned Stanwell Corporation has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners to position the Stanwell power station as a hub for battery innovation.

Under the MoU, Stanwell and Quinbrook will pilot one of the world’s first 8-hour duration battery systems at the Stanwell coal-fired power station site near Rockhampton.

Unlike conventional large batteries, which offer up to 4-hour duration, the EnerQB battery is designed specifically for 8-hour operation, offering transformative potential for firming renewable energy and supporting industrial growth.

Queensland Treasurer and Energy Minister David Janetzki says batteries for firming and storage will play a key role, alongside coal and renewables, in Queensland’s future energy mix.

“In an increasingly variable energy system, storage capacity is required to shift energy from when it is produced to when it is required and to manage demand peaks and troughs,” he said.

“Investing in firming and storage solutions helps to strengthen energy reliability and put downward pressure on power prices.

“By supporting large-scale storage projects, we’re creating a more resilient energy system and positioning ourselves to meet the needs of Queenslanders for decades to come.”

The announcement comes as Stanwell’s existing battery project, the Stanwell Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), recently reached the halfway construction milestone with the delivery and installation of the final Tesla Megapack units.

A total of 324 Megapacks — each weighing 38t and 8m in length — have been transported from the Port of Brisbane and assembled onsite.

Together, the Megapacks form a 300MW/1200MWh battery with up to four-hour duration — the equivalent of powering 203,000 homes.

Stanwell chief executive Michael O’Rourke says the company will host Quinbrook’s EnerQB battery at its energy precinct adjacent to its power station, where the performance, scalability and commercial potential of the battery will be tested over a 12-month period.

“This is an opportunity to demonstrate a new long-duration 8-hour battery that could innovate how we power both industry and communities,” he said.

“The system can absorb and store an entire day’s worth of solar generation, when prices are low, and then deliver a continuous 8-hour supply during peak demand.”