More large batteries to store renewable energy will be built around Australia – EQ Mag
Highlights
- Eight large-scale battery projects are expected to be online by 2025.
- The government-owned ARENA has allocated $176 million for these projects.
- Community batteries, costing up to $500,000 each, are also being developed.
The federal government says eight large-scale batteries to store renewable energy will be built around Australia to support the grid and help keep energy prices low. Energy Minister Chris Bowen announced on Saturday that the state-owned Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) would provide $176 million in funding for the projects.
It is estimated that the batteries will lead to a tenfold increase in storage capacity, which Mr Bowen said would revitalize the energy market.
“Some people say the sun doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow and that’s true, but we can store renewable energy when we need it,” he told reporters outside the Transgrid battery in western Sydney. .
Where will the battery projects be located?
The batteries will be online by 2025 and will be large enough to power Tasmania for about three hours.
Three will be in Victoria – in Gnarwarre, Moorabool and Mortlake – while one will be in Liddell in NSW.
ARENA says the completion of the eight battery sites will result in a “tenfold increase in battery storage capacity in the grid”. Credit: Arena
Queensland will have two houses, in Mt Fox and Western Downs, while South Australia will have two, in Bungama and Blyth.
Each of these ranges from 200-300 MW and will have grid-forming inverter technology, which provides stability to grids typically served by coal and gas.
The government has estimated the total cost of these projects at $2.7 billion.
Mr Bowen said the projects would be some of the largest batteries to be introduced in Australia in the near future.
“Renewable energy is the cheapest form of energy, the more renewable energy we have in our system, the cheaper the bills,” he said.
What about community batteries?
Arena CEO Darren Miller said the batteries could spark Australia’s transition to renewable energy.
“This pipeline of grid projects will help move us closer to an electricity grid that can support 100 percent renewable energy in the (national energy market),” he said.
It comes as the federal government unveiled more details about 58 community batteries in regional and urban areas, worth up to $500,000.
Electricity providers will use them to store the energy generated by the solar panels on residential homes, which can then be used by other nearby households.
An additional 342 will be enacted after consultation.
Source: PTI
