DC-coupled solar + battery systems are rapidly redefining the PPA market offering in Australia
Renewable energy innovator, Flow Power, is expanding its battery-firmed, solar farm offering to NSW, with a DC-coupled BESS and solar project in Cootamundra.
The Cootamundra Solar Farm, which became operational in January 2024, features over 8,000 solar panels, and will export 11,800 MWh of clean solar energy to the grid annually.
In 2025, Flow Power will add a DC-coupled Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to the project, allowing it to store solar energy during periods when demand and prices are low, and then export clean energy back to the grid when the energy is needed most.
The project combines the benefits of renewable energy, the flexibility and responsiveness of firming technologies and support of the local community. This clean energy project is Flow Power’s third site to host local farmer’s sheep, with the panels raised to provide shade and shelter.
With NSW wind projects being slowed by approval delays, project costs and lead times, Flow Power COO Byron Serjeantson argues co-located battery-solar projects like Cootamundra are helping to bridge the gap in renewable generation coverage and represent one of the upcoming trends in Australia’s Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) market.
Serjeantson commented:
“As Australia’s energy market continues to transition, there is a growing need and opportunity for renewables that can be more flexible and responsive to market volatility. With our South Australian Berri project delivered last year, and another recently completed in Newstead, Victoria, we are really proud of our exceptional team and their ability to pioneer new technologies and solutions to support our customers”.
With the Cootamundra project, Flow Power aims to replicate the success of its first smart solar project, the Berri Solar Farm – the first demonstration of utility-scale DC-coupled storage in Australia. Since its launch in April 2023, the model has delivered substantial benefits for Flow Power customers, including helping Westpac to reach its goal to source the equivalent of 100 per cent renewable energy for its Australian operations. Despite higher upfront costs, solar + BESS often provides more value to customers compared to solar on its own. It provides better generation coverage through shoulder periods, helping the grid to meet energy demands when solar generation tapers.
The Cootamundra project is supported by Flow Power’s proprietary kWatch platform, responsive technology that supports increased customer engagement and enables projects to respond to market signals more intelligently through automated and optimised control systems.
This project brings Flow Power’s total renewable energy portfolio close to half a gigawatt of owned and contracted wind, solar and storage projects. Flow Power’s growing pipeline of projects also includes standalone BESS projects across the National Electricity Market.
“The Cootamundra project has been expertly delivered in a manner consistent with Flow Power’s approach to sustainable development, including consultation to ensure the new site works in harmony with the community and initiatives to protect local wildlife such as the Barraband’s parrot”,
Serjeantson commented.
The Cootamundra project is located on the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri people. The name Cootamundra is thought to have derived from the Aboriginal name for Turtle known as “guudhamang”.
Click here to learn more about Cootamundra Solar + BESS.
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About Flow Power
Flow Power is an electricity, technology and engineering company that has been reshaping energy for Australia since 2008. Flow Power’s innovative approach uncovers new and better ways to deliver reliable, renewable energy that brings costs down and puts the power back in customers’ hands.
Flow Power’s renewable energy portfolio encompasses wind, solar and storage.
Flow Power is one of Australia’s fastest-growing energy retailers serving some of our best-loved organisations including Asahi Beverages, Sydney Opera House, Snack Brands, Westpac, City of Sydney, The University of Melbourne, RM Williams, Newcastle Airport and Pernod Ricard Winemakers.
A long-term industry leader in the renewable energy transition, Flow Power has recently launched its innovative residential electricity plan, Flow Home.
Flow Power: creating Australia’s renewable energy future, together.
