New potential pumped hydro storage sites identified

MORE THAN 18,000 sites across New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia and the Northern Territory have been identified as possible locations for pumped hydro energy storage.

The sites have been identified as part of work being carried out by the Australian National University which is supported by a $449,000 grant through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). 

The aim of the study is to develop a nationwide map of potential sites for establishing off-river pumped hydro storage and builds on the 5,195 potential sites identified in South Australia, Queensland, ACT and in and around Alice Springs earlier this year.

“Investing in renewable storage technologies, such as pumped hydro and batteries, will play a key role into securing an affordable and reliable energy network in Australia,” Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg said.

“The Turnbull Government is already supporting a major expansion of the Snowy Hydro scheme and looking at further hydro-electricity and pumped storage opportunities in Tasmania, the Upper Spencer Gulf in South Australia and Kidston in Queensland.”

Pumped hydro energy storage involves using renewable energy systems to pump water uphill to a storage reservoir and releasing it through a turbine to provide additional energy into the electricity grid when it is needed. Pumped hydro accounts for 97 percent of energy storage worldwide. The potential sites have only been assessed on a geographic basis at this stage.

“As the Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel noted in his review of the National Electricity Market, pumped hydro storage systems are the most mature electrical energy storage systems available,” Mr Frydenberg said.

www.arena.gov.au

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