DC-Coupled Solar and Battery Hybrids in Australia: Wärtsilä's Perspective

Wärtsilä asserts that co-locating solar generation with battery storage is crucial for Australia's solar energy future. The company's involvement has rapidly expanded from initial collaborations, such as with Octopus Australia, to large-scale projects like the 128 MWh Fulham Solar Battery Hybrid. By integrating solar and storage, operators can manage excess solar power and capitalize on negative pricing events, increasingly common in the Australian energy market. Batteries enable capture of surplus solar energy, especially vital given frequent curtailment of solar farms, according to Neha Sinha. The article emphasizes the role of DC-to-DC converters in managing voltage differences between solar panels and batteries, boosting overall system efficiency. DC-coupled systems necessitate sophisticated control systems. These systems synchronize solar and battery operations and adapt to market demands, Sinha notes. Western Australia is exploring more DC-coupled projects. These efforts aim to improve energy sustainability in the region.