The future of energy generation and storage

[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.

Yes it was posted on this thread October 20th 2020, post No 4,660

 

[IFocus]

SP I live in the deep south takes awhile for the news to reach here

 

[sptrawler]

SP I live in the deep south takes awhile for the news to reach here

I'll bring it down with me this arvo, when we head down. ? ? ?

 

[basilio]

Twiggy Forest, Chairman of Fortescue Metals, has been redirecting his energy to producing green hydrogen on a vast scale with the final intention of of producing green steel and revolutionizing Australias energy and steel industry. Just spent 5 months touring the investment centres around the world to create the framework for this nation changing venture.

Twiggy also sees this as an essential part of dealing with CC in the very near future. He is producing the Boyer Lectures on the ABC this year with the theme being Rebooting Australia: How ethical entrepreneurs can help shape a better future,.

Powerful stuff. I will repost this in other relevant threads.

'The solution is hydrogen': Andrew Forrest lays out his plan to address climate change

Green hydrogen gives Australia an opportunity to slash our emissions — and if we get this right, the impact could be nothing short of nation-building, argues business leader Andrew Forrest.

www.abc.net.au

 

[sptrawler]

The first 100% solar and battery neighborhood in Australia,

Tesla Powerwalls selected for first 100% solar and battery neighborhood in Australia

Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) recently announced a landmark deal with Tesla for the use of its Powerwall 2 batteries in a massive sustainability community project. The initiative aims to establish the first government-backed community in Australia that is 100% powered by solar energy and...

www.teslarati.com

From the article:
Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) recently announced a landmark deal with Tesla for the use of its Powerwall 2 batteries in a massive sustainability community project. The initiative aims to establish the first government-backed community in Australia that is 100% powered by solar energy and batteries.

The project would involve 80 homes in the Brisbane suburb of Oxley, with each home receiving a AU$5,000 rebate if they purchase a heavily discounted package for the Tesla batteries and solar panels from Natural Solar. All homes in the community would come with solar panels, batteries, heat pump hot water systems, WiFi air conditioning, and electric vehicle charging equipment.

Each home in the community would be fitted with seventeen 365w solar panels from Natural Solar and one 13.5 kWh Tesla Powerwall 2 battery. Such a setup is expected to generate an average of 9000 kWh annually, which equates to an estimated savings of AU$2,100 per year for every household.

 

[sptrawler]

We did say in this thread a few years ago, it will only be a matter of time before solar panels, batteries, heat pump HWS become mandatory in the building codes. Well I just saw this article, it may be starting to eventuate.IMO

ACT government launches tool to help renters slash energy costs - One Step Off The Grid

The ACT government wants to help renters cut energy costs, launching a new tool to provide tailored advice on cutting energy use and improving comfort.

onestepoffthegrid.com.au

From the article:
The ACT government is examining the introduction of higher energy efficiency standards for new homes built in the ACT, to cut operating costs for residents and to improve comfort levels.

The ACT government has also flagged its intention to end the roll out of new mains gas infrastructure and to increase the number of electric vehicle charging stations included with new homes.

"Setting energy efficiency standards for rental properties and setting higher standards for new homes are essential to achieving a net-zero emissions ACT,” Rattenbury added. “While those are being developed and implemented, this webtool is something renters can use today to cut emissions, save money and make their homes more comfortable.

 

[sptrawler]

It sounds as though the U.K might be going down the Australian track, of an independent electrical market operator(AEMO), to oversee the transition to renewables.
National Grid could be stripped of role to run UK electricity system (msn.com)

 

[Smurf1976]

It sounds as though the U.K might be going down the Australian track, of an independent electrical market operator(AEMO), to oversee the transition to renewables.
National Grid could be stripped of role to run UK electricity system (msn.com)

I'm always cautious of "reform" proposals though, especially when they come from regulators.

There have been some good ideas and some terrible ones over the years.

 

[sptrawler]

A good article today, giving an overview of the state of play, with the Eastern States grid.
Rather than reporters giving their opinions, the article seems to be some of the players explaining the balancing act going on, also shows why it all must be technically driven not politically driven.
Well worth a read for those interested in the electrical system.
* I moved the bracketed bold comment, to give readers perspective.

Companies are powering ahead with big battery projects, but a 'lack of certainty' by governments could deter good investment

New projects are being announced all the time in the grid-scale battery arms race but concerns are being raised over a patchwork approach which has seen some states go at it alone in their pursuit of more aggressive emissions targets.

www.abc.net.au

From the article:
Grid-scale battery projects from firms like AGL, Origin Energy and Neoen are racing ahead despite the divergent energy and emission goals of governments, which create a "lack of certainty", according to the New South Wales Energy Minister.
"What we've done with our [NSW] energy roadmap is put very clear markers in the ground, so that everyone understands the framework.

"NSW was one of the first states in the country to adopt a net zero emissions target. We also are responding to the challenges that we face in our system.

"NSW, over the next 15 years, will see four of its existing coal-fired power stations come to the end of their technical lives … [we] need to ensure that we don't see price spikes and blackouts as a result of not having a policy in place."

Built by Tesla in response to the nation's first statewide blackout, the Hornsdale battery in South Australia is the biggest in the country, having recently been upgraded to 150 megawatts.
("And to put that in perspective, the Hornsdale battery, the biggest battery in Australia, can only keep the Tomago smelter going for less than 15 minutes.")

Now the race is heating up in NSW, with a new 500MW battery project announced by French firm Neoen at Wallerawang near Lithgow.

Origin Energy has ambitious plans for a 700MW battery at Australia's largest coal-fired power station at Eraring, NSW.

AGL is pushing ahead with 1,000MW distributed across several sites, including the coal-fired Liddell power station, due to be shuttered by 2022.

Tony Wood, energy director at the Grattan Institute, says these firms are trying to get "ahead of the game".

"What they're doing is effectively staking out the territory, then announcing these investments. And the good news is these are commercial investments being made by private companies, and they're not being driven by government subsidies," Mr Wood said.

Kerry Schott, the independent chair for the Energy Security Board, recently raised concerns about grid stability in reference to incoming renewables.

"We're also increasingly seeing the impacts on frequency and system strength. And that's the thing that the market design needs to change," Ms Schott said.

"There is a role for a NEM-wide [National Electricity Market] solution around batteries — you need batteries in particular locations and some locations are definitely more favourable."

The Energy Security Board is expected to make recommendations on a market framework to better accommodate renewables in the coming months.

"Some people want us to go much faster. Some people want us to go much slower, and [are] still in the dinosaur age. We've really got to adapt quickly," Ms Schott said.

 

[SirRumpole]

Built by Tesla in response to the nation's first statewide blackout, the Hornsdale battery in South Australia is the biggest in the country, having recently been upgraded to 150 megawatts.
("And to put that in perspective, the Hornsdale battery, the biggest battery in Australia, can only keep the Tomago smelter going for less than 15 minutes.")

That certainly spells out the need for more pumped hydro projects. I wonder how much industries and governments are investing in those.

 

[sptrawler]

That certainly spells out the need for more pumped hydro projects. I wonder how much industries and governments are investing in those.

Industries and State Governments like N.T, W.A, S.A should invest in batteries, mainly because they are fairly flat States and don't lend themselves to hydro, but the federal Government should be putting in a lot of the major pumped hydro IMO.

That is mainly because it will be the heavy lifter of renewables and it will back up all the Eastern States electricity systems, therefore it really benefits all the taxpayers, so in reality they should fund it.

Also it will need to be progressively increased, as demand changes over time and that is much easier funded by the public purse.
Private have to get a return on equity, the Government can install more than is required, as it is a public and essential service.
Just my opinion

 

[basilio]

The scale of Big Battery projects is now accelerating. This 1200MW battery is just part of 2000MW series of batteries PLUS 1500 MW of roof top solar panels placed on industrial sites.( I always wondered why the reams of factories and warehouses didn't have solar panels. )

Construction will begin next year. Operation will be in 2023.

World's biggest battery with 1,200MW capacity set to be built in NSW Hunter Valley

The announcement by CEP Energy is the latest in a flurry of major energy storage projects for Australia’s national electricity grid

www.theguardian.com

 

[SirRumpole]

The scale of Big Battery projects is now accelerating. This 1200MW battery is just part of 2000MW series of batteries PLUS 1500 MW of roof top solar panels placed on industrial sites.( I always wondered why the reams of factories and warehouses didn't have solar panels. )

Construction will begin next year. Operation will be in 2023.

World's biggest battery with 1,200MW capacity set to be built in NSW Hunter Valley

The announcement by CEP Energy is the latest in a flurry of major energy storage projects for Australia’s national electricity grid

www.theguardian.com

"Morris Iemma, a former NSW premier and CEP Energy’s chairman, said the clean energy roadmap that passed the state’s parliament last year had given the market confidence to invest in renewable generation supported by large-battery storage without subsidies."

Is it a coincidence that the man responsible for selling off the NSW power industry to private enterprise winds up as the chairman of a power company ?

 

[sptrawler]

A very good article on the state of play regarding H2

Hype or holy grail: What’s driving the hydrogen rush?

What is green hydrogen? How could it help the environment? And what’s its future in Australia?

www.smh.com.au

 

[sptrawler]

"Morris Iemma, a former NSW premier and CEP Energy’s chairman, said the clean energy roadmap that passed the state’s parliament last year had given the market confidence to invest in renewable generation supported by large-battery storage without subsidies."

Is it a coincidence that the man responsible for selling off the NSW power industry to private enterprise winds up as the chairman of a power company ?

Not a lot of difference to this one rumpy, politicians never disappear quietly.

Greg Combet and the future of capitalism

The future of Australian capitalism is in his hands

www.latrobe.edu.au

Earlier this month the former trade unionist and federal politician declared his intention to transform Australian business. His radical idea: to promote the concept of “long-term value”.

Combet is chairman of Industry Super Australia, which represents 16 of Australia’s biggest industry funds and thus the vast bulk of the A$630 billion saved by more than 11 million Australians.

These super funds would use their massive clout as investors to transform corporate culture, Combet told the Australian Financial Review. He wants business to focus on long-term sustainability, not be “hostage to the short-term share price or six-monthly profit announcements”.

“The energy sector is an example of where long-term thinking is needed,” he said. “We have to start making a significant transition from old coal-fired power plants to renewable energy generation and distribution.”

 

[SirRumpole]

Not a lot of difference to this one rumpy, politicians never disappear quietly.

True, but the difference with some of them is that they make their own jobs at the expense of the taxpayer.

Power bills in NSW have skyrocket since privatisation and Iemma is on a gravy train.

Who was he representing really ?

 

[basilio]

I think this is a stunningly clever idea that will revolutionise stored energy systems.

Basically pumped hydro up modest hills but using a mineral rich fluid which 250% heavier than water as the "water". Basically same outcome with far less head and volume.

I think it would be a winner investment wise as well.

Powering up: UK hills could be used as energy 'batteries'

Engineers explore using gentle slopes rather than steep dams or mountains to store electricity

www.theguardian.com

 

[basilio]

This is one for the ASF engineers to evaluate .

HD Hydro ™​

---

The scalable and cost-effective energy storage solution for society's energy transition offers the following:

1. Low Cost: Building on over a hundred years' experience with the most widely used form of energy storage means low risk and an established industry to leverage deployment. Being 2.5x smaller, by volume, means dramatically lower construction costs, faster build times, easier reinstatement and easier landscaping.

2. Agile: By innovating in the high-density fluid (R-19 TM) we use, we unlock many hundreds of times more suitable sites. Projects can be installed on hills 2.5x lower than a project using water and still achieve the same power – for example there are so many more hills at 150m than at 375m.

3. Clean: Our innovative fluid R-19 TM is environmentally benign and has been engineered to be non-reactive and non-corrosive. Our plants require smaller footprint and have minimal recyclability and supply chain considerations.

RheEnergise High-Density Hydro

RheEnergise Pumped Energy Storage: Lowering the levelised cost of energy storage. Increasing the availability of sites. Exceptionally fast reaction times. Long Duration. Long life. Highly flexible. High-Density Hydro®

www.rheenergise.com

 

[sptrawler]

This is one for the ASF engineers to evaluate .

HD Hydro ™​

---

The scalable and cost-effective energy storage solution for society's energy transition offers the following:

1. Low Cost: Building on over a hundred years' experience with the most widely used form of energy storage means low risk and an established industry to leverage deployment. Being 2.5x smaller, by volume, means dramatically lower construction costs, faster build times, easier reinstatement and easier landscaping.

2. Agile: By innovating in the high-density fluid (R-19 TM) we use, we unlock many hundreds of times more suitable sites. Projects can be installed on hills 2.5x lower than a project using water and still achieve the same power – for example there are so many more hills at 150m than at 375m.

3. Clean: Our innovative fluid R-19 TM is environmentally benign and has been engineered to be non-reactive and non-corrosive. Our plants require smaller footprint and have minimal recyclability and supply chain considerations.

RheEnergise High-Density Hydro

RheEnergise Pumped Energy Storage: Lowering the levelised cost of energy storage. Increasing the availability of sites. Exceptionally fast reaction times. Long Duration. Long life. Highly flexible. High-Density Hydro®

www.rheenergise.com

Sounds clever, the only thing that springs to mind, how much extra energy does it take to pump it back up the hill? If it is much more dense.
It is very seldom, you get something for nothing, where energy is concerned.

 

[Smurf1976]

Only concerns that come to mind are if the fluid is in any way abrasive, leaves residue deposits or poses a hazard to anything (corrosion, environment, humans, animals, anything).

With conventional approaches even just a bit of silt being dragged into the intake is pretty harsh on a turbine runner when it's at 1200 PSI. Doesn't break anything immediately but ultimately it does cause wear.

The same occurrence at much lower pressures, below 200 PSI, doesn't really do anything though. At least not in practice there's no real issue with doing it.

With conventional hydro approaches that sort of situation really only occurs at low water levels. It won't happen if the dam's full but if it's drawn right down, 10% or so, and still running at high output well then it's very possible that the now rather shallow water body with the effects of wind does end up sending sand etc through the power station.

That issue is one reason why NMOL (Normal Minimum Operating Level) for hydro stations is sometimes set significantly higher than the actual minimum level of the intake. Operation "below zero" is possible, it just comes with issues of water quality degradation, abrasion and so on. That approach isn't relevant to most schemes but it does exist, the concept is used.

Any issue would be in the detail but as a concept it seems reasonable enough. Obviously everything needs to be designed for the heavier material - I can't see any reason why the same basic designs as for water wouldn't work, just need to alter the approach to work with the denser material.

Only thing I can see that might be problematic would be the concept of oil-free machines based on using water to avoid metal on metal contact. That's a radical enough idea using water without trying to do it with something else. Workaround = conventional bearings, grease etc.