Powering the Future: Vicinity Centres and Enel X launch battery storage systems for a greener tomorrow

Vicinity Centres and Enel X are proud to announce the successful launch of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) at Vicinity's Lake Haven Centre, New South Wales, and Broadmeadows Central, Victoria¹. The innovative joint venture highlights a commitment to sustainability and energy resilience.

Jason Temby, Vicinity’s Head of Energy & Product Delivery, said, “It’s been a collaborative effort with Enel X to see the construction and enablement of the batteries in the energy markets. The project underscores our commitment to energy resilience, energy efficiency, and exceptional customer experience, and delivers on Vicinity's strategic pillar of Property Excellence.

 

"At Lake Haven Centre, we’ve seen the battery contribute to grid resilience during an emergency grid event in NSW late last year, showcasing the critical role of energy storage during extreme circumstances. On 27 November during a heatwave-driven supply shortfall, the batteries were drawn upon to respond to extremely high price signals in the wholesale electricity market. This helped alleviate supply-demand pressure, supporting grid stability and preventing scheduled blackouts.

 

“The successful implementation of these batteries not only aligns with our Integrated Energy Strategy but also enhances the customer experience for our tenants,” Temby added. “By reducing overall electricity costs and improving energy resilience, we’re taking meaningful steps toward sustainability while supporting our communities.”

 

The benefits extend beyond operational efficiency, ensuring a reliable environment for shoppers and tenants, especially during peak demand or emergencies. This pilot project showcases the potential of energy storage to support green energy use and provide economic value to the community.

 

Carl Hutchinson, Country Manager at Enel X, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, “We’re excited about the next steps in our collaboration with Vicinity. With the successful deployment of these batteries, we’ve identified additional centres suitable for future projects, paving the way for a sustainable energy future that benefits both businesses and communities.”

 

This partnership between Vicinity Centres and Enel X represents a significant advancement in sustainable energy solutions, leveraging innovative battery storage technology to enhance energy resilience and efficiency. This initiative not only benefits the centres but also promotes a more sustainable energy future for all stakeholders involved.

 

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^{1. The Lake Haven Centre battery capacity is 1.3 MW / 2.5 MWh and at Broadmeadows Centre 1.1 MW / 2.3 MWh.}

^{2. A VPP is a technology platform that orchestrates demand-side assets (BESS, generators, equipment), and offers this as a single resource to support the electricity grid.}