Canberra air energy storage project

How does compressed air work in Australia?

The compressed air is sent down a shaft into a purpose-built underground cavern. When energy is required, compressed air is sent back up the shaft to drive a turbine, which generates electricity that can be used to stabilize the local grid, provide energy for Broken Hill, or be sold into Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM) grid.

What is compressed air energy storage (CAES)?

Among the different ES technologies, compressed air energy storage (CAES) can store tens to hundreds of MW of power capacity for long-term applications and utility-scale. The increasing need for large-scale ES has led to the rising interest and development of CAES projects.

How is compressed air stored in a cavern?

Heat is extracted from the air and kept inside a thermal store, preserving the energy for later use. Compressed air is stored in an underground cavern, which is kept at constant pressure. On charge, compressed air displaces water out of the cavern up a water column to a surface reservoir.

What is energy storage & why is it important?

Energy storage (ES) plays a key role in the energy transition to low-carbon economies due to the rising use of intermittent renewable energy in electrical grids. Among the different ES technologies, compressed air energy storage (CAES) can store tens to hundreds of MW of power capacity for long-term applications and utility-scale.

How can large scale storage improve power supply in Australia?

“In Australia’s regional towns at the fringe of the grid such as Broken Hill, new large scale storage technologies can provide back-up power to communities that will improve the reliability of electricity supply. Having more grid scale storage will also support more solar and wind in regional areas,” he said. ARENA media contact: [email protected]

Will Arena fund the Silver City Energy Storage Project?

ARENA’s funding for the Silver City Energy Storage Project, developed by Hydrostor, is conditional upon the project reaching financial close, which is expected to occur in late 2023. Once built, the project will be one of the world’s largest compressed air projects, providing at least 8 hours of storage.