Victoria has unveiled the largest battery in the state, one of two designed to keep the lights on ahead of another high-demand summer.

The Ballarat Energy Storage System (BESS) is a 30-megawatt lithium-ion battery capable of powering more than 20,000 homes for an hour and is the equivalent of around 6000 household batteries.

The Ballarat battery is the largest single battery storage installation in Victoria. Credit:AusNet Services

“The BESS will be able to respond to changing grid needs within milliseconds and will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week to support critical peak demand,” the Victorian government said.

The battery was built by Fluence, is owned by network company AusNet Services, and is located at Warrenheip, in Ballarat. It will be operated by EnergyAustralia.