Quinbrook and CATL have launched a new long-duration BESS solution with 8-hour capacity
This EnerQB product can power 2 8-hour-shift manufacturing operation entirely from solar power, claim the partners
It has been launched in Australia with an eye on industrial customers, and will also be installed at Quinbrook’s polysilicon plant site
Global infrastructure investor Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners has announced a new partnership with Chinese battery energy storage system (BESS) manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) for the world’s ‘1st genuine’ 8-hour battery to store renewable energy, especially low-cost solar power.
Named EnerQB, the long-duration energy storage solution has been specifically designed to cost effectively time shift more stored solar power than ever before. With this, industrial customers will be able to power a 2 8-hour-shift manufacturing operation entirely from solar power, claim the partners.
“This exciting advance from our collaboration with CATL brings us one step closer to the holy grail of 24/7 renewable power here in Australia which is the ‘dam busting’ moment for this country’s decarbonization,” said Quinbrook Co-founder and Managing Partner David Sacysbrook.
The intermittent nature of renewable energy makes it imperative to be accompanied by energy storage solutions for reliable and cost-effective supply, especially for energy-intensive industries. Long-duration storage is a solution to decarbonize the industrial setup with renewable energy. Quinbrook and CATL present a quickly deployable solution like EnerQB as a worthy alternative to other storage solutions including pumped hydro projects.
Sacysbrook explained, “Most importantly, we have achieved a cost point and duration for this solution which is truly game changing compared to other technology options including many pumped hydro projects.”
The duo has developed this battery solution with an aim to ‘pioneer a global market first’ in advanced long-duration energy storage solutions. It is an ‘evolution’ of the 4-hour duration storage that Quinbrook built for its solar projects in the US and UK.
“Projects in high year round solar locations can already produce power for up to 14 hours a day. Doubling the storage duration improves cost competitiveness to a significant degree,” shared Quinbrook.
The company now says it is planning a near-term deployment of over 3 GW of long-duration capacity across Australia for its existing partners, as well as new commercial and industrial (C&I) customers. Among the initial sites zeroed in is the Supernode site in Brisbane, and multiple other sites strategically located in proximity to the heavy industry in Gladstone and Townsville to be teamed with renewables.
Planned locations include Townsville in Queensland, where the company plans to locate its polysilicon manufacturing plant that will be powered by solar and storage (see Polysilicon Manufacturing Planned In Australia).
Australia is the launchpad for EnerQB, explained Quinbrook, to support Future Made in Australia opportunities. This is part of the Australian government’s economic plan to unlock private sector investment for a renewable energy powered economy (see Australia To Boost Clean Energy Technologies).
CATL is also part of the consortium that has announced the world’s largest combined solar and battery storage facility globally with 5.2 GW DC solar and 19 GWh BESS (see Masdar Zeroes In On Contractors & Suppliers For Gigascale RE Project).