Port Kembla offers the perfect opportunity to build large capacity energy storage close to consumers and industry
Locating large capacity energy storage close to major power loads and generators reduces the cost and impact of transmission upgrades. On clear sunny spring days Sydney’s rooftop solar generation is the largest source of power in NSW, exceeding local consumption, and expected to double by 2035. This rooftop solar generation far exceeds the household battery capacity to store energy for nighttime consumption. Excess energy needs to be stored at grid scale or wasted by switching off rooftop solar via AEMO’s backstop mechanism. Solar farm’s will also be switched off (curtailed) if this energy cannot be stored for the required nighttime peak demand and electrified industrial use.
The Port Kembla Pumped Hydro is 51 kms from South Sydney substation along an existing 330kV power transmission corridor, minimizing the cost and energy losses of transmission upgrades. An upgrade of existing 330kV transmission to 500kV from the South West would connect the Illawarra Renewable Energy Zone and the Port Kembla Pumped Hydro to Energy Connect (new transmission to SA), Hume Link (transmission to Snowy 2.0) and the South West Renewable Energy Zone to expand capacity and reduce bottlenecks at lowest cost.
