Australia’s energy transition is increasingly becoming a question of flexibility.

As more renewable generation enters the system, producing electricity is only part of the challenge. We also need to be able to store energy, move it across the day and respond rapidly when conditions on the grid change.

That is why battery energy storage systems are becoming such an important part of Australia’s energy infrastructure.

Batteries can absorb energy when it is abundant and return it when it is needed. Just as importantly, modern battery systems can respond rapidly to changes in voltage and frequency, helping support a stable electricity system as the generation mix evolves.

The technology is developing quickly. The principle is straightforward: a power system with more variable generation needs more flexibility.

In the latest In Transition, we look at what a BESS actually does and why it matters.