Energy Storage

New South Wales network operator Ausgrid has switched on the second community battery rolled out under an Australian government national funding program that has sparked an “overwhelming” response with more than $3.5 billion (USD 2.28 billion) of projects seeking funding.

The Queensland government’s proposed 2 GW/48 GWh Borumba pumped hydro energy storage project continues to power ahead with a call for expressions of interest for underground works.

The 250 MW/2,000 MWh Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project being developed in northern Queensland remains on track for energisation next year with developer Genex Power announcing that construction of the main access tunnel for the underground works is now complete.

Sandia National Laboratories and CSolPower have started researching the use of landscaping gravel as a thermal energy storage medium.

LAVO, which entered the market with its hydrogen battery in 2021, has soft launched a new Energy-as-a-Service model. Partnering with Yingli Solar, LAVO says it can install and maintain solar, battery and EV charging systems at no upfront cost to Australian households, who will then pay off the systems via a 10-year subscription.

The South Australian government is looking to fast-track the development of grid-scale battery energy storage systems across the state, launching a process that promises to provide successful projects with exemptions that could “significantly” improve project timelines.

Queensland battery company Redback Technologies offered a first look at its latest generation hybrid battery storage product at All-Energy this week, flagging it will offer special discounts to early customers when the product officially hits the market in Q2, 2024.

Leaders from Australian hydrogen startup Hysata are joining Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on his four-day visit to the US to meet President Joe Biden. Hysata is commercialising a hydrogen electrolysis breakthrough that claims to improve efficiency by 20%.

Victorian hydrogen company Energys has unveiled its third-generation, locally-manufactured Hydrogen Fuel Cell Generators, five of which are to provide backup power for Telstra’s remote telecommunications towers as part of a Victorian pilot. The company says it is already constructing a green hydrogen generation plant too, supported by funding from the Victorian government.

Brisbane-based Vaulta has developed a lighter, smaller battery casing with fewer parts, which makes it easier to assemble modules and repair faulty components. CEO Dominic Spooner argues that the company’s patented technology has the potential to significantly reduce battery waste.