Townsville, Australia: Hybrid RGS conversion to alternate between power production and grid stability mode

As Australia integrates more renewable energy into its grid, maintaining stability becomes increasingly challenging. The Townsville Power Station in Queensland is stepping up with a pioneering upgrade to its Siemens Energy SGT5-2000E gas turbine.

By converting it into a Hybrid Rotating Grid Stabilizer (RGS) with the addition of a Synchro-Self-Shifting clutch, the plant will instantly switch between power generation and grid stabilization modes. This innovative approach enhances grid inertia and system strength at a fraction of the cost of new equipment, ensuring reliable electricity supply while supporting Australia’s clean energy transition. The upgrade is scheduled for completion in 2025 and marks Siemens Energy’s first Hybrid RGS project in Australia, setting a new standard for flexible, cost-effective grid support.

With the rising share of renewables in Australia’s energy mix, grid stability from rotating equipment has substantially decreased. Therefore, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) requires grid operators like Powerlink to provide a minimum fault level and procure system strength. After reviewing eight different possible solutions, Powerlink concluded the addition of a clutch to the shaft between the gas turbine and the synchronous generator at the Townsville Power Station (TPS) was the least-cost option to address the shortfall and entered into a System Strength Services Agreement with TPS for the provision of system strength services.

The benefits to the plant owner RATCH-Australia are a new revenue stream from providing grid services and the capability to switch flexibly between power generation and grid stabilization modes. Moreover, the grid stabilization capability comes at up to 50% less cost than a new synchronous condenser, and it can be completed in 18 months instead of three years. The RGS can also be serviced in the same maintenance cycle as the gas turbine.