Executive summary
Trina Storage has been selected to supply the battery system for Stage One of Frontier Energy's Waroona Renewable Energy Project in Western Australia. The project combines a 132 MW solar facility with an 81.5 MW, 6.9-hour battery system, built on Trina's Elementa platform using lithium iron phosphate cells. The first generation from the site is expected in 2028.
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Frontier Energy has selected Trina Storage to supply the BESS for Stage One of the Waroona Renewable Energy Project. Trina Storage, a utility-scale energy storage business of Trinasolar headquartered in Changzhou, China, will provide its Elementa utility-scale DC solution for the project.
Waroona Stage One will comprise a 132 MW solar facility paired with an 81.5 MW BESS capable of 6.9 hours of storage. The project is one of the largest solar and battery hybrid projects on Western Australia's main electricity grid, with first generation scheduled for 2028.
The battery system will use lithium iron phosphate cells manufactured at Trina's Changzhou battery plant. The Elementa platform incorporates intelligent liquid cooling and multiple safety protection systems, including heat, gas and smoke detection and active fire protection systems.
The project will use a DC-coupled architecture, which Trina Storage said adds complexity to the design of the solar and storage system. Trina Storage also draws on Trinasolar's experience across photovoltaic modules and tracker systems, supporting its understanding of solar plant design and system interfaces.
Warrick Stapleton, Head of Sales (APAC) for Trina Storage, said collaboration with developers was increasingly important as utility-scale storage projects became more sophisticated.
“We're pleased that Frontier Energy selected Trina Storage for this project. Our team worked closely with Frontier throughout the procurement process to understand the project requirements and demonstrate how our technology could support their objectives,” Stapleton said.
He added that projects such as Waroona would play an increasingly important role in providing reliable, dispatchable capacity to Western Australia's South West Interconnected System as the state continues its energy transition.
Trina Storage's agreement for Stage One includes a 20-year warranty and performance guarantees. The company said these terms support long-term asset performance and the project's financing requirements.
Adam Kiley, Chief Executive Officer of Frontier Energy, said Waroona Energy Park has the potential to support Western Australia's energy transition through its integrated solar and battery strategy.
“Stage One is the foundation of our broader plans and is designed to support a more reliable and flexible electricity system,” Kiley said.
Stage One is part of Frontier Energy's longer-term plans for Waroona. Future stages are expected to bring total generation capacity to around 1,000 MW and battery capacity to up to 660 MW.