Waratah Super Battery, Australia

Akaysha Energy is an Australian developer, owner, and operator of mega-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS). With over 40 GWh of storage in development globally, Akaysha is unlocking flexible, revenue-generating assets that accelerate the clean energy transition.

Chosen by the Government of New South Wales to deliver the Waratah Super Battery, one of the world's most powerful batteries, Akaysha Energy is helping strengthen grid reliability and support the State's ambitious goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 70% while building, owning and operating this landmark project. 

Developing and delivering the 850 MW / 1,680 MWh BESS Waratah Super Battery meant solving more than technical complexity. To qualify, Akaysha Energy had to meet some of the industry’s most demanding grid-code requirements and prove compatibility with the System Integrity Protection Scheme (SIPS), a fast-acting control system operated by Transgrid that detects grid disturbances and triggers automated battery response within milliseconds.

This meant integrating advanced control systems, validating performance through rigorous testing and modelling, and ensuring seamless operation under Australia’s most stringent regulatory standards.

At the same time, Akaysha structured the project to align with their broader business model of turning Waratah into a flexible, revenue-generating asset through participation in ancillary services markets.

To meet these challenges, Akaysha Energy partnered with Hitachi Energy to deploy a digitally enabled infrastructure stack that could respond to grid events within milliseconds while also meeting Australia’s regulatory standards. This integrated solution combines advanced power electronics, intelligent control systems, and real-time automation to deliver fast, compliant, and coordinated grid support.

At its core are Hitachi Energy's Power Plant Controllers (PPC) and Power Conversion Systems (PCS). Sitting behind the battery and the SIPS Control System developed by Transgrid are Hitachi Energy's smart controls and software, the digital brains behind the project. The entire solution was validated through a rigorous testing regime, ensuring reliable performance under real-world conditions and full compatibility with SIPS.

By combining engineering expertise, compliance support, scalable technology, and HMAX™ Energy, Hitachi Energy's AI-powered suite of services and solutions designed to safeguard critical energy systems, Hitachi Energy helped transform Waratah into a resilient, revenue-generating asset ready to support both grid stability and market participation. Through a 20-year service agreement, real-time monitoring, diagnostics and advanced analytics provide continuous visibility of system performance and lifecycle support, helping maximize asset availability, optimize long-term performance, and ensure the system continues delivering value throughout its operational life.

Hitachi Energy's best-in-class Power Conversion Solution
 

• Efficiently integrate BESS into the grid
• Form factor reduces installation costs
• Multilevel coordinated control ensures fast dynamic response
• Robust design for maximum power in extreme environments
• Full power rating up to 1500 VDC ensures efficient project sizing
  
  

The Waratah Super Battery is a foundational step in New South Wales’ energy transition, supporting the phase-out of coal-fired power stations, enabling greater integration of renewables, and helping the state move toward its goal of reducing emissions by 70% by 2035. While the system has only recently reached commercial operation, its potential to deliver fast, automated grid support is already clear. During a severe heatwave in November 2024, the Waratah Super Battery was called upon by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) to help maintain system reliability during a period of exceptionally high demand in New South Wales, providing an early demonstration of the value large-scale battery storage can deliver to the electricity system.

Command complexity. Power security. In practice, that means helping operators manage increasingly complex energy systems while ensuring critical infrastructure can adapt to evolving grid requirements and continue delivering reliable performance and long-term value.

As operations ramp up, Waratah is expected to play a growing role in stabilizing the grid, reducing carbon emissions, and unlocking new business models for clean energy deployment.