Hydrostor to build compressed air energy storage at Broken Hill

Long duration energy storage (LDES) developer and operator Hydrostor and the New South Wales (NSW) government have signed a Crown Lands agreement to enable the construction of the Silver City Energy Storage Centre designed to provide backup power to Broken Hill.

With the region recently suffering prolonged energy supply blackouts, the project will support the stability of energy in the region by enabling a mini-grid system, according to an announcement.

The agreement will see Hydrostor lease the land for a period of 65 years, with construction expected to begin next year following development approval.

The Silver City Energy Storage Centre is set to be housed near the Potosi mine site on the Northeast outskirts of Broken Hill.

The technology, backed by NSW grants relating to the closure of the Liddell coal-fired power plant in 2023, will support Broken Hill’s energy grid by incorporating the increased generation of reliable, renewable energy and provide a reliable backup power solution to the city when required.

Hydrostor’s VP of Origination and Development Martin Becker said the project had the potential to protect the region’s energy through the establishment of a mini-grid closed system in the event of outages.

Becker said: “This is a major milestone in our journey toward realising an extremely important project, not just for Broken Hill, but for Australia.

“We look forward to delivering Silver City which is a critical missing piece in the state’s energy mix, and a much-needed solution for the region.”

The facility will have the capacity to generate 200 megawatts of power, which can provide eight hours of storage when discharging at full capacity, and much longer durations at a lower output.

The NSW Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe said: “Recent events in the Far West region of NSW have demonstrated the need for long duration storage to secure energy supply for Broken Hill and the Far West.

“This Silver City Energy Storage Facility is a solution that will make Broken Hill a renewable energy leader.”

Further reading:
Hydrostor on way to second compressed air energy plant

Picture: Hydrostor