Short-term off-river pumped hydro energy storage to smooth sustainable energy – update

“Storage is necessary to make renewables base load.” – Professor Donald Sadoway¹

Small-scale storage for domestic or small business use can be provided by the Tesla Powerwall or similar.

For grid-scale use, there are a number of technologies^2,3,4 – most widely deployed at the moment is pumped hydro-electricity – most of it as a secondary part of water storage for other purposes. E.g. Tasmania, & the Snowy Mountains in New South Wales & Victoria, Australia. Unfortunately, these systems require special geography on an existing river. Often, because these systems are designed primarily for water storage, the energy-storage function is compromised.

A hydro-electricity storage system designed solely for that purpose is able to avoid all of these problems – requirements are:

● difference in elevation between two water storages – e.g. at the top & bottom of a mountain, or a disused mine^5,6

● source of water for a one-time filling of the storage
● source of water to replace evaporation

To distinguish single-purpose hydro-electricity storage systems from irrigation-storage + hydro-electicity systems, the former are often referred to as, short-term off-river pumped hydro energy storage (STORES).

By contrast with the relatively uncommon special geography required for a water-storage system, sites suitable for STORES are much more common. With this in mind, & $449,000 from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), a partnership of the Australian National University, ElectraNet & the VTara Energy Group will be conducting the Atlas of Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Study for Australia.

https://eng.anu.edu.au/news/hydro-may-boost-share-renewables-electricity-grid

http://www.serree.org.au/knowledge/news/article/?id=anu-to-map-pumped-hydro-storage-potential-to-back-wind-and-solar
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¹ HitchHiker's Guide 2 Tech: “Innovation in stationary electricity storage (video)”, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2015/01/innovation-in-stationary-electricity.html

² HitchHiker's Guide 2 Tech: “Energy storage for renewable energy”, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/10/energy-storage-for-renewable-energy.html

³ HitchHiker's Guide 2 Tech: “Farming on seawater & sunshine”, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/10/farming-on-seawater-sunshine.html

⁴ HitchHiker's Guide 2 Tech: “US grid-scale battery start-up looks to Australia for R&D, manufacturing”, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/10/us-grid-scale-battery-start-up-looks-to.html

⁵ HitchHiker's Guide 2 Tech: “Britain's biggest rechargeable battery”, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/05/britains-biggest-rechargeable-battery.html

⁶ “Kidston solar and pumped hydro plant clears another hurdle”, http://reneweconomy.com.au/kidston-solar-and-pumped-hydro-plant-clears-another-hurdle-96381/?utm_source=RE+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=02d8cf4af3-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2016_11_08&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_46a1943223-02d8cf4af3-40335897

/ hydro boost share renewables electricity grid hydro power provide cost-effective large-scale energy storage support high levels of renewable energy Australia's electricity grid Australian National University ANU leading study map potential short-term off-river pumped hydro energy storage STORES sites enable renewable energy provide larger share generation national electricity grid lead researcher Professor Andrew Blakers ANU low cost technical maturity STORES solar photovoltaic wind energy reliably reach penetration levels above 50 per cent 100 per cent renewables water constantly flowing between reservoirs balance supply and demand STORES potential support grid stability inertial spinning reserve very fast ramp rates zero to 100 per cent in minutes STORES sites pairs of reservoirs separated altitude difference between 300 - 900 metres hilly terrain joined pipe water circulated between upper lower reservoirs closed loop store generate power South Australia possible STORES site altitude difference up to 600 metres hills east Spencer Gulf site could support development solar wind resources Professor Blakers $449,000 from Australian Renewable Energy Agency ARENA ANU partnering ElectraNet VTara Energy Group conduct Atlas Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Study develop blueprint cost model integrate technology Australia's electricity grid /