Following strong support from shareholders in the recent oversubscribed Share Purchase Plan (SPP), 1414 Degrees has accelerated the development of its Aurora Solar Energy Project located in Port Augusta. This strategic advancement marks a significant milestone in the company’s mission to deliver large-scale, renewable hybrid energy solutions that combine solar photovoltaic (PV) generation with cutting-edge battery energy storage systems (BESS).
Project managers and engineering firms are actively engaged in the detailed design of the project’s substation infrastructure and are making significant progress in securing the transmission connection agreement. These critical steps ensure that the plant’s output can be reliably integrated into the National Electricity Market (NEM), supporting grid stability and enhancing renewable energy penetration in South Australia.
Key equipment suppliers have now been selected for the major components of the project, which include high-efficiency solar PV panels, advanced lithium-ion battery systems, inverters, and sophisticated power management systems. These technologies represent leading renewable energy storage solutions that will ensure the hybrid plant’s performance, reliability, and operational flexibility.
The size of the first stage of the hybrid plant will consist of 70MW of PV with a 70MW/70MWh battery system (BESS). The BESS can charge off the grid or from the PV, and both can participate in grid stability markets.
Financial modelling is well underway to determine the most advantageous business case for interoperation of the PV and BESS, followed by 1414 Degrees TESS. The integration of 1414 Degrees’ proprietary TESS will enhance the plant’s capability to deliver decarbonised thermal energy and industrial heat solutions. This innovation addresses key energy demands in hard-to-decarbonise industrial sectors, extending the project’s scope beyond electricity generation to provide sustainable heat for manufacturing and processing industries.
By combining solar PV, battery storage, and thermal energy storage technologies, the Aurora Solar Energy Project exemplifies 1414 Degrees’ innovative approach to comprehensive renewable energy storage solutions. This hybrid plant is positioned to play a key role in accelerating the transition to a low-carbon energy future in Australia, supporting grid stability, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and providing sustainable energy solutions to benefit both community and industrial sectors.