Chinese giant takes latest step into West with gigascale wind-storage hybrid

Chinese wind turbine maker Envision is teaming up with Italian developer Fera to develop hybrid projects linking up to 1GW of wind generation to 1.5GWh of storage in Australia.

The companies claim the gigascale wind-storage hybrid partnership is a “first-of-its-kind” in Australia as it combines grid-forming battery storage, full-converter wind turbines, and an AI-powered Hybrid Power Plant Controller (HPPC) into a grid-connected hybrid renewable power plant.

Little detail was given on the ramp-up of the large-scale hybrid projects, but the companies said the integration will be piloted in the state of Victoria and will serve as a testbed for future hybrid deployments nationwide.

“This collaboration represents a major step forward in demonstrating how hybrid wind and storage solutions can unlock new possibilities for Australia’s energy future,” said Kane Xu, SVP and president of the international product line of Envision Energy.

The gigascale wind-storage hybrid plan – if it reaches the construction phase – is another breakthrough for Chinese wind OEMs in a Western country that so far has mostly been deploying Western wind turbine technology.

The pilot plant in Victoria will feature Envision's full converter wind turbine, grid-forming battery storage, and advanced HPPC technology in a grid-connected hybrid plant.

The companies didn’t disclose what size the pilot will have, but said it will serve as a showcase for how hybrid systems can enhance grid reliability and unlock new value streams.

“Partnering with Envision Energy marks an exciting milestone in our pursuit of large-scale renewable projects in Australia,” Sebastiano Falesi, head of Fera Australia, said.

“Integrating wind power and energy storage in a hybrid project, will constitute an excellent model for future initiatives.”