Altura Group’s Goat Hill proposal.
Five major pumped hydro energy storage projects and another big battery have received government support in South Australia.
The projects at former mine and quarry sites and reservoirs would provide more than 1gW to the South Australian grid and are expected to provide about a $1.5 billion investment.
Water is pumped from a low area to an upper reservoir and released back through a turbine.
The SA Government grants come from its $150 million Renewable Technology Fund, The Lead reports.
Pumped hydro projects to receive funding include Altura Group’s Goat Hill Project, 12km west of Port Augusta, which has a $4.7 million grant towards $9.4 million for development of its 230mW/1840mWh programme with Delta Electricity; Rise Renewables’ site northeast of Port Germein which received $3m towards $6.3 million in accelerated engineering, design and development to provide up to 200-230mW/1600mWh and GFG Alliance’s proposal at the Iron Duchess mine site in the Middleback Ranges, gaining $500,000 towards $1.7m in pre-feasibility work on its 90mW/390mWh scheme.
Others include EnergyAustralia’s Cultana pumped hydro energy storage project north of Whyalla, receiving $500,000 towards $8 million in engineering and design activities for its 225mW/1770mWh facility, and Tilt Renewables’s 44mW solar farm and 21mW/26mWh battery system connected to its existing wind farm near Snowtown getting $7.125m. Tilt plans a 300mW, 1350mWh pumped hydro energy storage project at the Highbury quarry.
