How many trucks does it take to deliver a 172 tonne transformer? Three when you’re taking it over the Bombay Hills, pushing and pulling a 70m-long trailer.
The transformer was destined for Huntly Power Station as part of Genesis’ Energy’s $135m grid-scale battery installation. Manufactured in Indonesia, it had to be moved from the Port of Auckland to the Huntly site between midnight and 6am to minimise traffic disruption.
The journey included easing over the Tainui Bridge at Huntly, which was built to take heavy loads.
Three pilot vehicles accompanied the 17-axle trailer with a truck at each end. A third truck joined the front vehicle to help haul the transformer up the Bombay Hills, and manage its descent.
On arrival at Huntly Power Station, the transformer was lifted off the trailer by a crane and deposited near the 100 MW battery installation under construction. The transformer will step up the battery’s voltage from 33 kV to 220 kV to allow the battery to connect to the national grid.
The battery will be capable of storing 200 MWh of electricity, enough to power around 60,000 households for two hours. It will release energy at times of peak demand, such as cold winter mornings and evenings, and is due to start operating later this year.
Genesis’ Chief Operating Officer Tracey Hickman said the safe delivery of the transformer was a critical step in the first stage of a project that would see Genesis build a battery system at Huntly of up to 400 MW by FY35, in line with Genesis’ Gen35 strategy.
“Huntly Power Station is evolving as it plays a critical role in backing up the electricity system through the renewable transition, providing flexible power when hydro lakes are low, the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow,” said Hickman.
“As New Zealand’s electricity supply becomes more renewable and subject to weather, this battery will help smooth out fluctuations in supply, ensuring supply remains reliable and secure.”
