Project Overview 

Located 13km north-east of Collie, WA, and near the Collie Power Station, the Collie Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is one of Australia’s largest grid-scale batteries. Designed to provide 4 hours of electrical storage during peak demand periods, the BESS plays a critical role in stabilising the grid and supporting the transition to renewable energy. 

RBG’s Role 

Robert Bird Group provided structural and civil engineering services across early and main works packages, enabling efficient staged construction and future scalability. 

Early Works

• Design of access bridge including abutments, piles, and approach slabs 

• Access road and highway intersection design 

Main Works

Civil Engineering 

• BESS and Substation earthworks and grading design to balance earthworks with soil conditions and design requirements 

• Detailed design of Stage 1 grading and bench design to suit future stages 

• Roadworks, pavement, turning paths, and stormwater drainage 

• Retention basin and external catchment diversion 

• General arrangement coordination and civil detailing 

Structural Engineering 

• Structural foundations and steelwork for substation and BESS areas. 

• Pile and steelwork design for overhead wiring 

• Slabs for transformers, water tanks, and equipment 

• Cable pits, trenches, and ladder support structures 

• Fence design 

Value Add 

RBG delivered a staged design approach that supported early mobilisation and streamlined construction. Key contributions included: 

• Large earthworks savings achieved from the reference design. Impact on poor ground, imported fill, total volumes and batters were all reduced 

• Advanced BIM documentation in both 2D and 3D for collaborative model management 

• Clash detection and coordination across disciplines 

• Automated pile set-out and level adjustment using Rhino/Grasshopper/Revit scripting 

• Future-proofed grading and bench design for Stage 1 and beyond 

• Stage 1 was delivered ahead of schedule, helping to secure the grid 

Key Technical Challenges 

• Designing for short-duration, high-capacity energy storage 

• Integrating civil and structural systems across a large, complex site 

• Maintaining flexibility for future expansion 

• Automating pile coordination with evolving civil profiles 

• Challenging earthworks conditions that were overcome and improved 

Sustainable Methodologies and Outcomes 

The Collie BESS supports grid stability and renewable energy integration, helping reduce reliance on fossil fuels and paving the way for a cleaner energy future in Western Australia.