Cultana Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Phase 2
- $500k Funded by ARENA
- $9m Total project cost
Summary
EnergyAustralia and Arup are proposing the development of a 225 MW pumped hydro energy storage project using seawater near Port Augusta, South Australia.
The Cultana Pumped Hydro Energy Storage – Phase 2 project acknowledges that energy storage technology is emerging in Australia to support renewable energy integration and maintain a secure a reliable electricity grid – especially in contingency events. Pumped hydroelectric storage plants work like giant batteries; they store energy for use when demand for electricity is high.
The ‘Cultana’ pumped hydro facility will be capable of producing 225 MW of electricity to the South Australian electricity grid with eight hours of storage. That’s the equivalent of installing over 120,000 home battery storage systems, but at a third of the cost.
Feasibility and concept development for this project is supported by funding from the South Australian Government and ARENA.
Key results
In light of higher-than-expected capital cost, revenue uncertainty, uncertainty around energy technology development, reducing costs of grid-scale battery technology and development approvals time frame, EnergyAustralia took a negative Financial Investment Decision (FID) in November 2019.
The negative FID was the result of evaluation of financial and market modelling and risks under scenarios including increased renewables penetration, interstate interconnectors and introduction of other large PHES into the NEM. With all factors and risks considered the Cultana SPHES did not present a sufficiently compelling business case for EnergyAustralia.
Learn more
Report: Cultana Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Project Phase 2
This report details the proposed construction a 225MW, 8-hour SPHES system to provide GWh scale energy storage services to the national electricity grid in South Australia.
Media Release: South Australia’s Cultana Seawater Pumped Hydro Plant Reaches Next Phase
ARENA annunced funding to EnergyAustralia for the next stage of the 225 MW Cultana seawater pumped hydro plant in South Australia.
Related Project: Cultana Pumped Hydro Energy Storage (PHES) Feasibility Study
The EnergyAustralia South Australian (PHES) Feasibility Study project aims to determine the technical and economic feasibility of a seawater Pumped hydro energy storage PHES plant, located south-west of Port Augusta, in South Australia.
How the project works
Pumped hydro works by using multiple bodies or reservoirs of water, one at high elevation and another at a lower elevation.
When demand for power is low and electricity is cheaper (e.g. at night) the plant uses energy to pump water from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir. Energy is stored there in the gravitational potential of water.
When demand rises, as it does on hot days, the process is reversed. Water from the upper reservoir is released back into the lower reservoir through the same system of pipes, except this time the turbines act as they would in a traditional hydroelectric plant.
The turbines generate electricity that is then sent to the grid for use in homes and businesses. It’s a cost-effective way of integrating renewable power and ensuring energy is reliable and affordable.
Area of innovation
Pumped hydro technology, particularly those integrating seawater, have been used for decades internationally (i.e. United States, Japan and China), but haven’t been applied extensively in Australia.
Concept development for the Cultana pumped hydro facility is ongoing with the aim to increase reliability and reduce technological and environmental risks. The project proposes to use seawater from Spencer Gulf, in combination with both an upper and lower reservoir. By using both an upper and lower reservoir, large volumes of water can be retained in the system with minimal intake and outfall to the Gulf. Minimising environmental impact is central to the design of the project and consultations with a range of stakeholders and technical specialists are ongoing.
The technology has great potential to help deliver cleaner, reliable and affordable supplies of electricity in a modern Australian energy system.
Benefit
The Cultana pumped hydro project has significant benefits including:
- Reliability: pumped hydro doesn’t rely on seasonal water flows like traditional hydroelectricity. Once the reservoir is filled, only small top-ups are needed to cover for evaporation
- Renewable energy compatibility: storing energy provides cover when it’s cloudy or windless and renewables aren’t available. When demand for power rises, the pumped hydro storage plant can begin producing in minutes
- Cost-effective: pumped hydro plants are cheaper to operate than other forms of peak generation, such as gas-fired power stations
- Stability: the project can provide much-needed grid and system stability for the South Australian region and will connect to the electricity grid at the same point as the Northern power station, which is now closed.
- Longevity: while current battery technology has a useful life around 10 years, pumped hydro facilities can operate for decades.
Additional impacts
Minimising environmental and social impacts while designing a reliable facility is paramount. The project has undertaken a range of site investigations and risk assessments – both social and environmental – to support planning decisions. Energy Australia has also consulted with the community to understand their views on the project.
Construction of the project is expected to take approximately three years to complete.
ARENAWIRE Blogs
How could pumped hydro energy storage power our future?
Reservoirs of water are poised to play a key role storing renewable energy to bolster the grid.
Can pumped hydro energy storage work? Let's sea
Can pumped hydro energy storage work? It’s an idea that could position Australia as a world leader in pumped hydro storage: using sea water as the basis for this established method of generating and storing energy.
