Northern Border Battery

The Northern Border Battery will be located 16km south of Bonshaw and 66km north of Inverell on the border of New South Wales and Queensland.

The BESS is sized at 300MW.

The Northern Border Battery will be built adjacent to the 100 MW Bonshaw Solar Farm.

While the two projects are located next to each other, they are being developed separately. Enervest is developing the battery, which will store energy from the electricity grid and, once the solar farm is operating, from that project as well.

We will be working closely with the Bonshaw Solar Farm project team to coordinate activities and ensure minimal impacts on the local community during construction and operation.

A Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is a utility scale Battery that stores electrical energy (i.e., from excess wind/solar or traditional power sources) for use at a later time. It helps balance supply and demand on the power grid by distributing the stored energy when it’s needed most, commonly this is during the evening when demand peaks. This improves grid stability and reliability by providing a flexible and responsive energy resource.

As coal plants close, the electricity grid needs fast dispatchable energy to help balance generation and load. BESS is one of the cheapest and most reliable ways to do this.

A BESS system comprises of BESS containers and also other components like inverters for converting energy and switchgear & substations for distributing the power to the network. There will also be equipment constructed to support the project such as control systems for managing storage and distribution, and fire safety features to ensure efficient and reliable operation.

A BESS functions like a large-scale household battery, with additional size and technology. It stores electrical energy captured from various sources, such as traditional power and renewable energy (like wind or solar), and then releases this stored energy when needed.

Enervest is an Australian-owned and operated company specialising in energy storage projects. Enervest was founded in 2008 and provides engineering and operational services for Australia’s decarbonisation journey.

Enervest has a national presence, working alongside local communities and industry partners to develop projects that provide an overall positive impact on both the environment and the community.

The site was selected following in-depth assessment and evaluation of a range of factors to ensure the site meets technical, environmental, and community needs effectively.

The development will occupy a relatively compact footprint and will be set back from the road. This, along with landscaping, will minimise visual impacts to surrounding areas and the local community. The site is adjacent to the existing substation which enables the BESS to be connected to the NSW electricity grid with minimal environmental disturbance.

A BESS typically contains groups of battery modules housed in containers. These modules are connected to power conversion systems and control equipment, ensuring efficient energy storage and management. BESS facilities are modular and can be configured based on specific site and capacity requirements.

During the project planning phase, visual impact was considered and mitigation measures put in place, including setting the project back from the road and using landscaping to screen the facility and reduce its visual impact.

Typically, the BESS units are housed in shipping containers that are approximately 3-3.5m high. The switchgear buildings and the main transformers are around 6m and 7m high respectively.

The Development Application is accompanied by several environmental impact studies such as:

• Biodiversity
• Cultural heritage
• Noise and vibration
• Traffic impact assessment
• Ground/surface water and flood risk
• Waste management

Like all large-scale developments, BESS facilities may generate noise from the cooling fans that regulate the operating temperature of the battery. Studies have been completed to assess noise levels during the approvals phase of the project. Once operating, the BESS will be required to meet strict noise requirements and comply with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and other relevant government guidelines.

The safety of our workers and the broader community will always be our priority. The project will not increase the risk of bushfires in the area. Management Plans are produced before construction and will include a Fire Management Plan to address the management of any potential fires in construction, operations, and decommissioning.

The design and installation of the battery system is in accordance with relevant Australian standards and fire safety and emergency services guidelines and will be installed in line with the manufacturer’s requirements.

To mitigate potential fire risk from batteries the following steps are undertaken:

• – The BESS has protection to avoid overcurrent or any electrical faults that can cause fire
• – The plant facility will have a 24/7 Battery Management System (BMS) to monitor any change in battery cell temperature, gas, or humidity and to detect smoke or fire within the battery infrastructure
• – Water tanks, water pipeline systems, and fire extinguishing tools will be installed on-site
• – Inclusion of an asset protection zone (APZ) around the BESS
• – Consultation of the Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) during the EIS planning stage.

The Northern Border Battery will enhance local grid stability, support renewable energy integration, and potentially lower electricity costs. The project will attract a significant investment in Inverell Shire through local jobs, accommodation and other spending. The Project will create approximately 200 full-time equivalent jobs during construction.

Enervest will also work with the local community and Inverell Shire Council to establish a Community Benefit Fund, committing significant investment into the local community over the lifespan of the project. We’re creating online registers for local businesses and community groups to connect and collaborate with us.

We invite you to share your ideas on how the Project can benefit your community. Please contact us at northernborderbattery@enervest.com.au, use the ‘Get in Touch’ form below or call (02) 7229 1953.

Enervest seeks to protect and conserve Aboriginal cultural heritage by carrying out the appropriate site investigations and due diligence. A Cultural Heritage Management Plan has been developed for the project to ensure that all activities are conducted in accordance with legislative requirements, guidance from Traditional Owners, and agreed management measures to avoid, minimise, and appropriately manage any impacts on Aboriginal cultural heritage.

Please contact Enervest via northernborderbattery@enervest.com.au to register your interest or use the ‘Business or Organisation’ form below.

This project website will be updated as the proposal progresses. Please contact northernborderbattery@enervest.com.au for specific queries or to subscribe to project updates, or use the ‘Get in Touch’ form below.

Construction is anticipated to take 12 to 14 months to complete, weather and site conditions permitting. We will keep the community updated as the project progresses in the lead up to and during construction.

Construction noise levels will be kept in line with relevant legislation, with noise generating activities scheduled to occur during the day and within approved working hours.

During construction it is expected that there will be a peak of up to 50 people on site at any one time with associated traffic, excluding deliveries.

During operation, the facility will be mostly operated remotely, however, there will be up to four permanent full-time staff during this phase of the project.

Ongoing maintenance of the BESS will be required, timing of maintenance activities will be confirmed closer to construction.

A Construction Management Plan will be prepared prior to construction starting. During construction, some of the key construction impacts may include:

• – Traffic: Construction traffic will be managed through a Traffic Management Plan (TMP)
• – Dust: Dust Mitigation will be managed through the Construction Management Plan and will likely involve water trucks to limit the impacts of dust on surrounding properties.
• – Noise: Construction and operational noise will meet New South Wales EPA requirements. Increased noise will be managed by putting in place measures to limit the impact on local residents as much as possible. This may include scheduling works so that noisier activities occur at times when they will have the least impact.
• – Social and economic: During construction, you may find more people and vehicles around town and on the roads. This additional temporary workforce will assist in providing local towns an economic boost through spending on accommodation, food and local goods and services.

The BESS will operate for at least 20 years. Depending on the selected technology, components may be replaced and/or upgraded to extend this timeframe.

Following the end of their economic life, above ground components would be removed and re-purposed where possible, and the land rehabilitated, if and as required.

Battery recycling and decommissioning involves safely extracting reusable materials from spent batteries, minimising environmental impact, and disposing of hazardous components responsibly, often through specialised recycling facilities or programs.