• One of Queensland’s biggest Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) will soon begin construction, after the ‘Supernode’ project reached financial completion
• Quinbrook will construct a 250MW/2hr BESS at the Brendale site
• Stage one of ‘Supernode’ is just part of a $2.5 billion data centre integrated facility powered by renewables and battery storage

Construction will soon begin on stage one of Quinbrook’s ‘Supernode’ project at Brendale.

Stage one will be the construction of one of Queensland’s biggest Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).

The BESS will have a 250MW/2hr capacity and will enable the efficient storage of surplus solar and wind energy, aid the displacement of coal and other emissions-intensive generation sources.

Origin Energy has committed to the full capacity of stage one, under a recently completed agreement.

The ‘Supernode’ project is strategically located near the South Pine electricity substation.

This will be a significant advantage for the 2,000 Megawatt BESS.

Following stage one, a data storage facility is planned to be added to the site.

This is just one of a number of projects coming to Queensland thanks to support from the Miles Government’s strategic investments in both digital technology infrastructure and renewables.

Quotes attributable to Queensland Premier Steven Miles:

“When we announced this Supernode almost two years ago, I said it showed what the future holds for Queensland’s digital and renewables economy and the creation of knowledge-based jobs.

“Since then, we have made massive strides in making Queensland a clean energy powerhouse, anchored by our revolutionary Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.

“The construction of stage one, here in Brendale, is more evidence that business believes in our vision.

“Renewable energy generation and storage like this will power us towards our 70% renewable energy targets.

“Responsible emissions targets are essential to jobs in our existing industries like mining, agriculture, and manufacturing and it's the key to creating more jobs in the new industries of the future, here in the south east and right across Queensland.

“Additionally, our $15 million investment in Queensland’s first direct International Broadband Network Cable Landing Station, demonstrated to big business that the Sunshine state is the place to invest.

“We know we have the connection with the world to support new data centres, like the one that will be built here, creating high value jobs, that can be powered by renewable energy.”

Quotes attributable to Quinbrook Co-Founder David Scaysbrook:

“The successful close of Supernode stage one is significant for Queensland as it delivers valuable large-scale storage at the best possible location in the State’s power grid.

“The South Pine site is a unique and strategic location offering unparalleled power supply access and redundancy and is testament to Quinbrook’s ability to source, fund and develop innovative projects for the benefit of our investors and provide tangible solutions to decarbonise power systems.”

Quotes attributable to Moreton Bay City Council Mayor Peter Flannery:

“Quinbrook’s battery storage system will be one of the largest installations in Australia, bringing economic benefits and offering greater energy security to Queenslanders.

“I look forward to seeing the project grow and benefit from Brendale’s already strong business ecosystem and smart city infrastructure.”

Background

In 2017, the Government provided $15 million to assist the Sunshine Coast Council to deliver Queensland’s first direct international data and telecommunications undersea network cable.

That cable is now operational and we are seeing the benefits through projects such as this.

The digital technology industry can leverage this international connection for projects such as efficient, large-scale data storage.

Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners (http://www.quinbrook.com) is a specialist investment manager focused exclusively on the infrastructure needed to drive the energy transition in the UK, US, and Australia.

Quinbrook has completed a diverse range of direct investments in both utility and distributed scale onshore wind and solar power, battery storage, reserve peaking capacity, biomass, fugitive methane recovery, hydro and flexible energy management solutions in the UK, US, and Australia. Quinbrook is currently developing and constructing some of the largest renewables and storage infrastructure projects in the UK, US, and Australia.