Australian energy storage system activated

Which energy storage technology is best for Australia's energy needs?

The CEC said emerging LDES technologies coupled with the energy storage systems in place, would be the best suite to appropriately manage Australia’s needs. In March this year, the ARENA held an Insights Forum which covered energy storage and technologies that can bring system security to the grid.

How does energy storage work?

Energy storage secures and stabilises energy supply, and services and cross-links the electricity, gas, industrial and transport sectors. It works on and off the grid, in passenger and freight transportation, and in homes as ‘behind the meter’ batteries and thermal stores or heat pump systems.

Why is energy storage important?

Operating a reliable low-carbon power system means that energy storage is imperative – and AEMO also makes this clear. It says building the energy storage to manage daily and seasonal variations in solar and wind generation is the most pressing need of the next decade.

How much storage capacity does Australia need?

VPPs are being actively trialled. The current climate Australia’s current storage capacity is 3GW, this is inclusive of batteries, VPPs and pumped hydro. Current forecasts by AEMO show Australia will need at least 22GW by 2030 – a more than 700 per cent increase in capacity in the next six years.

What role do community batteries play in Australia's energy transition?

Community batteries are in their infancy in Australia and we have yet to see the role they will play in the energy transition. There is likely much to be gleaned from the rollout of the federal government’s program, which will deploy 400 community-scale batteries serving up to 100,000 households across Australia.

Who is building Australia's largest battery?

French renewables developer Neoen is set to build Australia’s largest battery in Collie, a 560 MW, four-hour duration storage system [vi]. Neoen currently has 1.7GW of storage assets in operation or under construction. Akaysha Energy is also developing a 415MW, four-hour battery in NSW, along with an 850MW, two-hour super battery in Waratah, NSW.