When coal generators close, NSW needs large capacity energy storage to absorb excess daily solar energy to deliver at night
Most household and grid batteries have an energy storage capacity of 1 – 4 hours at maximum power. If there are a few consecutive cloudy, calm days these batteries are likely to be nearly depleted. To secure grid energy supply on-demand generators gas, hydro and long duration energy storage (LDES) are required to fill the gap. Currently if there is an energy shortage, such as during heatwaves, causing energy scarcity the wholesale energy price may rise 100x normal daily peak prices.
In 2035 energy scarcity is more likely to occur regularly due to a few consecutive cloudy, calm days, causing more frequent periods of energy scarcity pricing. Higher wholesale energy prices will translate into higher retail prices if insufficient long duration energy storage is built.
Port Kembla Pumped Hydro is a long duration energy storage providing 17 hours generation at maximum power capacity 2 GW, which is similar to Snowy 2.0. Construction of Port Kembla Pumped Hydro and other long duration energy storage facilities will tend to energy abundance, causing energy prices to be lower, avoiding energy scarcity and energy insecurity.
Long duration energy storage infrastructure, such as Pumped Hydro Energy Storage takes about 8 – 12 years to build. Most of that time is taken with feasibility studies including engineering and environmental assessments, responding to community, gaining approvals and convincing investors to finance the project. If a Pumped Hydro is to be built at Port Kembla, to provide energy security in 2035, we need to start now.
