Originally Posted By: Shannow
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-22/pumped-hydro-power-in-spencer-gulf-energy-australia/8292596
Quote:
A desert site at the top of Spencer Gulf in South Australia is perfect for a pumped hydro venture, EnergyAustralia chief executive Catherine Tanna has said.
.
.
.
Grattan Institute energy director Tony Wood said storage options such as pumped hydro were critical if Australia kept embracing energy production from intermittent renewables.
"We're at the beginning of understanding how significant this could be in Australia — pumped hydro is a different economic challenge," he said.
"We've got to gradually understand how this can work, not only physically and technically, but how it interfaces with the market," he said.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his Cabinet colleagues were briefed on the plan before the federal funding announcement was made.
"If a project of this scale, a pumped hydro project of this scale, had been available recently in South Australia, there wouldn't have needed to been the load shedding that occurred there," Mr Turnbull said.
So the market steps in to provide storage of renewables, allowing generation in off periods...SO...
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south...e42e-1489955398
Quote:
Premier Jay Weatherill and Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis today revealed the long-awaited scheme, which they say will also result in the construction of a new privately owned power station.
Federal Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg is seeking legal advice on whether the decision by the State Government to “go it alone” breaches national electricity market rules.
The six-point plan includes:
BUILDING a State Government-owned, fast start gas-fired power station that can come on when the market does not provide enough energy to keep the lights on. It is expected to cost about $360 million. No site has yet been selected. It would be 250MW, enough to deliver close to 10 per cent of SA’S peak demand.
SUPPORTING construction of Australia’s biggest battery as part of a $150 million spend on a new renewable technology fund.
ENCOURAGE the construction of a new privately-owned power station using a Government bulk buy power contract.
INCENTIVISE the extraction of more gas for use in SA power stations, through a taxpayer-backed exploration fund.
GIVING the SA energy minister powers to override other regulators and force power stations to fire up in times of need.
CREATING an “energy security target”, which requires retailers to buy 36 per cent of their power from baseload sources in SA.