{"id":6292,"date":"2024-10-28T06:38:46","date_gmt":"2024-10-28T05:38:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.systra.com\/australia\/?p=6292"},"modified":"2024-10-28T06:38:48","modified_gmt":"2024-10-28T05:38:48","slug":"pumped-hydro-energy-storage-energy-transition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.systra.com\/australia\/news\/pumped-hydro-energy-storage-energy-transition\/","title":{"rendered":"Pumped Hydro Energy Storage and Australia\u2019s Energy Transition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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<\/a>Pumped Hydro Energy Storage is a vital technology driving Australia\u2019s energy transition, offering a proven and reliable solution for storing excess energy and delivering power on demand.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Currently, 5-7 per cent of total electricity generation comes from Hydropower in Australia (ARENA<\/a>). With significant opportunity to expand, AEMO predicts that by 2040, Australia will need up to 15 gigawatts (GW) of large-scale energy storage to power our communities and critical infrastructure. Australia\u2019s potential to become a global leader in Pumped Hydro Energy Storage has been backed by government and industry with up to 22,000 sites capable of storing 67,000GWh identified (Arena, \u2018An atlas of pumped hydro energy storage\u2019<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There are currently three schemes connected to Australia’s energy grid – Wivenhoe Dam, Tumut 3 and Shoalhaven, collectively adding 1.6 GW capacity – though a new golden age for the technology<\/a> has begun. New projects including Kidston Pumped Hydro (QLD) – the first Pumped Hydro Energy Storage System in 37 years \u2013 Borumba Pumped Hydro Energy Project (QLD), Snowy 2.0 (NSW) and Tarraleah (Tas) are currently in the pipeline and will see the number of connected schemes grow along with the total percentage of electricity generated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The growth of Pumped Hydro Energy Storage and its importance to the global energy transition is not isolated to Australia either. According to the International Hydropower Association\u2019s 2024 World Hydropower Outlook<\/a>, total installed pumped hydro energy storage capacity grew by 6.5GW to 179GW. By 2030, this is set to grow to 240GW.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is Pumped Hydro Energy Storage and how does it work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Pumped Hydro Energy Storage is a simple idea yet complex in development. It works by using gravity and water to store and generate electricity. To do so, the process involves two reservoirs at different elevations, each serving specific purposes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. During periods of low electricity demand or excess renewable generation, water is pumped from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir, storing potential energy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. When electricity is needed, water is released from the upper reservoir through turbines, generating power as it flows back to the lower reservoir.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    This cycle can be repeated indefinitely, making pumped hydro a clean, flexible and long-lasting storage solution and an important part of the energy transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    The detailed video created by the Queensland Government and Queensland Hydro<\/a> provides a visual representation of what Pumped Hydro Energy Storage is and how it works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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