SWANBANK BATTERY
Now in commissioning
The Swanbank Battery will be the first operational new energy project delivered as part of the Swanbank Energy Precinct. As a firming asset, it will work alongside the highly efficient Swanbank E gas-fired power station, quickly providing electricity for up to two hours in response to energy demand.
This is the first grid-scale battery in Ipswich, located on the former site of Swanbank B coal-fired station, which was decommissioned in 2012. The battery features 138 Tesla Megapack 2XL modules and is connected to the National Electricity Market through a new 275kV substation at Swanbank.
We pay our respects to the past, present and emerging elders of the Yugera and Ugurapul People, the traditional custodians of the land on which Swanbank Battery operates.
Operations
- Technology: Lithium-ion phosphate battery energy storage system
- Capacity: 250MW/500MWh – can dispatch electricity for up to two hours
- Commissioned: 2025
- Location: Swanbank
How it works
The battery charges using excess energy from the grid – typically in the middle of the day. The battery can discharge for up to two hours when demand for electricity increases – usually in the early morning and early evening.
Battery safety
The Swanbank Battery is built with next-generation Tesla Megapack 2XL modules, which include multiple layers of safety. The Megapacks have been rigorously tested to meet Australian and international standards.
Fire protection is integrated at every level of the Megapack design. In the unlikely event of a fire, these features are designed to contain and control the situation, minimising the risk of fire spreading.
Key safety features include:
- 24/7 monitoring by CleanCo and Tesla
- automatic charge reduction if a battery’s condition changes unexpectedly
- Constant temperature monitoring, with output automatically lowered if levels move outside safe operating conditions.
Independent, full-scale fire testing has shown that in the unlikely event of a fire, the Megapack performs in a safe and controlled way. The unit consumes itself slowly without explosions, projectiles, or unexpected hazards. Expert advice is that the safest response is to let the battery burn out under controlled monitoring.
Emergency response
CleanCo has a comprehensive emergency action plan. In the rare event of a fire, our local team would work closely with the Queensland Fire Department to monitor and manage the situation. Neighbours would be notified immediately if conditions changed.
