AWARDS FINALIST: Infratec – New Zealand's first utility-scale battery energy storage system online
Infratec’s Rotohiko project at Huntly delivered a range of firsts for the industry.
The 35 MWh system, connected to WEL Networks’ 33 kV network, was completed in December, and can store enough energy to supply about 2000 homes.
It was developed in close consultation with system operator Transpower and was designed to participate in the wholesale market and to assist with system stability as both an interruptible load customer and provider of generator reserve.
The facility helps optimise the region’s generation capacity by charging when there is ample solar and wind and discharging during peak demand periods or when renewable generation is light.
Rotohiko is the country’s first stand-alone battery system, meaning it stores energy purchased from the wholesale market rather from a connected generator.
Instant reserve
The company initiated work by the Electricity Authority to update the industry code so that this type of facility could offer instantaneous reserve into the market.
As a result, it also became the first to utilise the market’s new dispatchable demand feature, enabling it to participate fully in the national reserves market.
Infratec says the project brought together a range of suppliers and contractors who have gained industry-leading experience from their involvement.
The batteries were purchased from Saft in France and the inverters sourced in Spain by Power Electronics NZ.
Civil works were completed by Connells Contractors and electricals by WEL Services, Northpower and Hamilton Electricians. Mainfreight and McLeod Hamilton Hiabs provided support for both the construction and commissioning.
Infratec says a key aspect of the project was the firm’s work with Robotron, a new-entrant software company from Germany, to develop sophisticated algorithms to optimise the BESS operations and to maximise the firm’s revenue opportunities.
Supply chains
Infratec says its experience managing financial and supply chain risks was crucial to the project's success in the wake of disruptions following the Covid-19 pandemic.
By procuring major equipment early and hedging multiple currencies, it was able to mitigate many financial uncertainties.
But long delays shipping components – many from Europe – had to be managed and mitigated. When one supplier could not provide delivery certainty, other alternatives were found.
Infratec says delays also required other changes to project sequencing.
The batteries arrived before the local supply connection was complete. That meant their air conditioning units had to be installed quickly after arrival while the batteries were still in storage off-site to ensure they were not damaged in the hot Waikato summer and to ensure their warranty conditions were met.
On budget
Despite the supply chain challenges posed by the post-Covid-19 environment, Infratec says the project was completed on budget.
Construction began in July 2022. Commissioning began in September 2023 and was completed in December.
Infratec says it met at least fortnightly with the system operator for 15 months to manage the implementation into the electricity market and to develop the commissioning plan for this BESS.
As a result, the system operator knows as much about BESS technical standards and operation as Infratec and is well-positioned to manage the next BESS connection proposal more efficiently.
That close working relationship ensured Rotohiko met the system operator’s strict technical and performance specifications to provide instantaneous reserves.
Infratec has since been contracted as an ancillary service agent through to December 2025.
The Energy Project of the Year category is sponsored by Energy News.