The future of energy generation and storage

[basilio]

Green Hydrogen is far closer than we realise. When the Chines announce they intend to turn their whole energy supply system on its head perhaps it's becasue they have the technology to do so.

Green hydrogen’ from renewables could become cheapest ‘transformative fuel’ within a decade
Government has nominated ‘clean hydrogen’ using gas and CCS but for many countries ‘clean’ already means without fossil fuels

Chinese manufacturers have reported making systems to create hydrogen with renewable energy for up to 80% less than official Australian estimates from just two years ago.

Energy analysts said it suggested green hydrogen was likely to leapfrog hydrogen made with gas and coal as the most cost-effective form of the energy before the end of the decade, and by the time an industry could be developed at scale.

‘Green hydrogen’ from renewables could become cheapest ‘transformative fuel’ within a decade

Government has nominated ‘clean hydrogen’ using gas and CCS but for many countries ‘clean’ already means without fossil fuels

www.theguardian.com

 

[sptrawler]

Fusion is just around the corner(again).

Nuclear fusion reactor could be here as soon as 2025

The discovery of new superconducting materials has sped up the timeline considerably.

www.livescience.com

Yes I wouldnt mind a dollar for every time Ive heard it.

 

[sptrawler]

Green Hydrogen is far closer than we realise. When the Chines announce they intend to turn their whole energy supply system on its head perhaps it's becasue they have the technology to do so.

Green hydrogen’ from renewables could become cheapest ‘transformative fuel’ within a decade
Government has nominated ‘clean hydrogen’ using gas and CCS but for many countries ‘clean’ already means without fossil fuels

Chinese manufacturers have reported making systems to create hydrogen with renewable energy for up to 80% less than official Australian estimates from just two years ago.

Energy analysts said it suggested green hydrogen was likely to leapfrog hydrogen made with gas and coal as the most cost-effective form of the energy before the end of the decade, and by the time an industry could be developed at scale.

‘Green hydrogen’ from renewables could become cheapest ‘transformative fuel’ within a decade

Government has nominated ‘clean hydrogen’ using gas and CCS but for many countries ‘clean’ already means without fossil fuels

www.theguardian.com

Yes from memory, the Chinese are building 100 coal fired power stations, but it only takes one media post, to put that to bed. Lol

 

[Smurf1976]

Yes I wouldnt mind a dollar for every time Ive heard it.

Nuclear fusion - the power source of the future and always will be.

 

[basilio]

The All Energy conference Virtual forums are online from tomorrow. They are holding a range of free seminars across new energy technologies and their role in boot starting the post COVID economy.

All-Energy Australia's free-to-attend Virtual Conference will kick off tomorrow with a highly-anticipated joint opening plenary with Energy Efficiency Expo, featuring some of the most prominent thought leaders and leading industry representatives. Kane Thornton (Chief Executive, Clean Energy Council) and The Hon Lily D'Ambrosio MP (Victorian Minister for Energy Environment and Climate Change) will deliver opening remarks, followed by a panel discussion chaired by Luke Menzel (CEO, Energy Efficiency Council), which will look at the stimulus measures that could create jobs and fuel the revival of our green economy post-COVID-19. Sponsored by:

Energy Efficiency Expo

Join Energy Efficiency Expo and discover practical solutions to the country’s rising energy costs. Don't miss this free-to-attend expo and conference.

www.energyefficiencyexpo.com.au

 

[Smurf1976]

Fear of new technology is nothing new.

I've long been aware that various rumours were spread, mostly by gas companies, as to the safety of electricity circa 1900 but this cartoon from 1889 takes it to the extreme:

 

[SirRumpole]

One battle that most of us thought was won long ago is now starting up again. DC vs AC.

9 Reasons Why DC May Replace AC

electricalindustry.ca is the “go-to” online resource for electrical contractors, plant electrical personnel, electrical consulting engineers and electrical distributors, for industry news, product sourcing and technical know-how… all from a Canadian perspective.

www.electricalindustry.ca

 

[sptrawler]

One battle that most of us thought was won long ago is now starting up again. DC vs AC.

Yes these days, there isn't much in your house that requires ac, also the power consumption of domestic appliances has dropped considerably over recent years.

 

[noirua]

 

[Smurf1976]

South Australia at 12:00 National Electricity Market time (12:30 SA Daylight Savings time) demand on the grid dropped to 280.73 MW.

To put that into perspective, that's less than the largest individual factory in each of Qld, NSW, Vic and Tas would have been using at the time (that SA doesn't have any really large industrial loads is one of the issues) and compares with SA's peak demand of 3400 MW.

Reason? Well there was an estimated 992 MW of small scale solar generation (rooftops) supplying most actual consumption at that time and consumption itself is down due to mild weather and being a Sunday. Hence the low load on the grid.

Environmentally that's a good thing. CO2 etc.

Technically it's approaching the limits of controllability without resorting to "unconventional" measures or risking a statewide blackout in the event that transmission between SA and Vic were to fail. Hence the moves to be able to shut down small solar generation when required.

As has been said previously, there's plenty of electricity available to replace fossil fuels as a means of powering cars, heating water and so on, the key is to charge these things when it's available not just randomly.

 

[SirRumpole]

South Australia at 12:00 National Electricity Market time (12:30 SA Daylight Savings time) demand on the grid dropped to 280.73 MW.

To put that into perspective, that's less than the largest individual factory in each of Qld, NSW, Vic and Tas would have been using at the time (that SA doesn't have any really large industrial loads is one of the issues) and compares with SA's peak demand of 3400 MW.

Reason? Well there was an estimated 992 MW of small scale solar generation (rooftops) supplying most actual consumption at that time and consumption itself is down due to mild weather and being a Sunday. Hence the low load on the grid.

Environmentally that's a good thing. CO2 etc.

Technically it's approaching the limits of controllability without resorting to "unconventional" measures or risking a statewide blackout in the event that transmission between SA and Vic were to fail. Hence the moves to be able to shut down small solar generation when required.

As has been said previously, there's plenty of electricity available to replace fossil fuels as a means of powering cars, heating water and so on, the key is to charge these things when it's available not just randomly.

I wonder if something like a National Energy Guarantee might help with this problem ?

 

[sptrawler]

Another big pumped storage facility to be built in the New England area of NSW, sounds really promising and shows that governments are serious about reliable renewables.

$1 billion pumped hydro scheme would open up NSW grid, backers say

A proposed pumped-hydro scheme supported by the state government would support the integration of $2 billion in new solar and wind farms in the north of the state.

www.smh.com.au

From the article:

The Berejiklian government has given accelerated approval status to a billion-dollar pumped hydro project that will unlock twice as much renewable energy investment and reduce grid congestion.

The venture, backed by Alinta Energy, would generate as much as 600 megawatts of electricity by releasing water between two reservoirs near the Macleay River between Armidale and Kempsey.

Developed by the same consultancy EMM that is working on the larger Snowy 2.0 pumped hydro scheme, the Oven Mountain energy storage project is expected to support a further $2 billion in new solar and wind farms in the New England Renewable Energy Zone.
“The Australian Energy Market Operator says that NSW needs more than twice the energy storage of Snowy 2.0 again by the mid-2030s and projects like Oven Mountain can help us reach that goal,” Mr Kean said in a statement.

 

[sptrawler]

Another article on the same project, the Oven Mountain pumped storage.

NSW pumped hydro project fast-tracked to help replace ageing coal-fired power stations

 

[Smurf1976]

I wonder if something like a National Energy Guarantee might help with this problem ?

A policy of itself won't but getting things physically done will.

Transmission SA - NSW

Large scale pumped hydro.

Etc.

 

[Smurf1976]

“The Australian Energy Market Operator says that NSW needs more than twice the energy storage of Snowy 2.0 again by the mid-2030s and projects like Oven Mountain can help us reach that goal,” Mr Kean said in a statement.

As I've said for a very long time now, if renewables are going to be more than a relatively minor supplement to fossil fuels then big dams are part of what's required.

The unfortunate thing is it has taken quite a while for politicians to reach that point but it seems we're there now finally.

The downside of course is that a lot of money has been wasted and pollution emitted needlessly with all the delays.

 

[sptrawler]

As I've said for a very long time now, if renewables are going to be more than a relatively minor supplement to fossil fuels then big dams are part of what's required.

The unfortunate thing is it has taken quite a while for politicians to reach that point but it seems we're there now finally.

The downside of course is that a lot of money has been wasted and pollution emitted needlessly with all the delays.

It certainly sounds as though NSW and Queensland are getting onboard, haven't heard much from Victoria with regard pumped storage, the Latrobe Valley stations wont run forever.

 

[Dona Ferentes]

no idea what who why or how it is funded, but

... coming to Near Newcastle?

Energy Renaissance lithium-ion gigafactory breaks ground in Tomago, NSW

In less than a year from today, Australia will be producing its own renewable-energy-storing lithium-ion batteries in the Hunter Region. A new $28 million Energy Renaissance facility will embed itself in the learning, hard-working, adaptable culture around the port of Newcastle, manufacturing...

www.pv-magazine-australia.com

Energy Renaissance is Australia's leading lithium-ion battery manufacturer and the developer of Australia's first battery Gigafactory (RENAISSANCE ONE)

Energy Renaissance is Australia's leading lithium-ion battery manufacturer and the developer of Australia's first battery Gigafactory (RENAISSANCE ONE)

renaissanceone.com.au

 

[Smurf1976]

It certainly sounds as though NSW and Queensland are getting onboard, haven't heard much from Victoria with regard pumped storage, the Latrobe Valley stations wont run forever.

It would be fair to say that to the extent any state isn't paying attention but should be, Victoria's the one.

Second largest population.
Third highest use of gas after WA and Qld.
Third highest use of electricity after NSW and Qld.
For both gas and electricity a very high dependence on a small number of aged assets.

Realistically they're assuming Tas and NSW will come to the rescue.

 

[sptrawler]

no idea what who why or how it is funded, but

... coming to Near Newcastle?

Energy Renaissance lithium-ion gigafactory breaks ground in Tomago, NSW

In less than a year from today, Australia will be producing its own renewable-energy-storing lithium-ion batteries in the Hunter Region. A new $28 million Energy Renaissance facility will embed itself in the learning, hard-working, adaptable culture around the port of Newcastle, manufacturing...

www.pv-magazine-australia.com

Energy Renaissance is Australia's leading lithium-ion battery manufacturer and the developer of Australia's first battery Gigafactory (RENAISSANCE ONE)

Energy Renaissance is Australia's leading lithium-ion battery manufacturer and the developer of Australia's first battery Gigafactory (RENAISSANCE ONE)

renaissanceone.com.au

It is about time, I can't understand why Redflow built their manufacturing plant in Thailand, good to see a company seizing the opportunity.
Well done Energy renaissance.

 

[sptrawler]

Interesting Aussie invention, home hydrogen electrolyser and fuel cell, hopefully leads to something big.

Australian invented hydrogen storage for homes and businesses hits the market

UNSW spin-off announces that it will start taking orders for one of the world’s first hydrogen based energy storage systems for homes and businesses.

reneweconomy.com.au

From the article:

Australian-based venture LAVO, a university spin-off that has developed an innovative hydrogen-based energy storage system for homes and businesses, is one step closer to commercialisation, announcing that the technology is now ‘commercially-ready’ and will soon start taking orders for the first systems.

The LAVO system has been developed by researchers at the University of New South Wales, and uses compressed hydrogen as the main medium for energy storage. The company says that by using hydrogen, the LAVO device can offer three times the amount of energy storage compared to other devices of similar size, and offers double the operational life.

In announcing that the company will soon begin taking orders for the hydrogen energy storage system, LAVO says that it will target four core markets, including residential and commercial energy storage, off-grid and backup power supplies and telecommunication towers. LAVO estimates that these markets represent a $2 billion opportunity in for the company in Australia.