Australia's 100% Renewable Electricity Future Requires Significant Energy Storage and Interconnection

Why It Matters

This research provides a crucial roadmap for energy transition, highlighting that simply deploying renewable generation isn't enough. Designers and engineers must consider the systemic requirements for grid stability, including storage solutions and transmission infrastructure, to enable a fully decarbonized energy system.

Key Finding

A 100% renewable electricity grid in Australia is achievable using wind and solar, but requires significant pumped hydro storage and better grid connections. The added cost for balancing supply and demand hourly is relatively small, leading to a competitive overall electricity cost.

Key Findings

• Wind and photovoltaics can supply approximately 90% of annual electricity demand in Australia.
• Additional energy storage and stronger inter-regional interconnection are essential for grid stability.
• Pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) is a viable and scalable solution, with numerous potential sites identified in Australia.
• Distributing PV and wind across large areas reduces storage requirements and overall costs.
• The additional cost of hourly balancing for renewables is modest, estimated at AU$25–30/MWh.
• The estimated levelised cost of renewable electricity with hourly balancing is AU$93/MWh, with expectations of further decreases.

Research Evidence

Aim: To determine the feasibility and cost of powering the Australian National Electricity Market entirely with renewable energy sources, specifically wind and photovoltaics, by analyzing hourly energy balances and identifying necessary supporting infrastructure.

Method: Energy balance analysis

Procedure: An hourly energy balance analysis was conducted for the Australian National Electricity Market under a 100% renewable energy scenario, primarily utilizing wind and photovoltaics, with existing hydroelectricity and biomass providing the remainder. The study incorporated technology currently deployed in large quantities and assessed the need for additional energy storage and inter-regional interconnection.

Context: Australian National Electricity Market

Design Principle

Grid stability in renewable energy systems is achieved through a combination of distributed generation, energy storage, and intelligent transmission.

How to Apply

When developing proposals for renewable energy projects, include detailed plans for energy storage capacity and grid interconnection, supported by cost-benefit analyses.

Limitations

The study relies on projected technological advancements and assumes the availability of suitable sites for pumped hydro storage. It also uses 2016 prices, which may not reflect current market conditions.

Student Guide (IB Design Technology)

Simple Explanation: To make Australia's electricity 100% renewable, we need lots of batteries (like pumped hydro) and better power lines connecting different areas. This will keep the lights on even when the sun isn't shining or the wind isn't blowing, and it won't cost too much extra.

Why This Matters: This research shows that simply having renewable energy sources isn't enough; you need to think about how to store that energy and move it around reliably to create a complete system.

Critical Thinking: What are the potential social and environmental impacts of developing the large-scale pumped hydro storage facilities required by this model?

IA-Ready Paragraph: This research highlights the critical role of energy storage and grid interconnection in achieving a 100% renewable electricity system, demonstrating that while wind and solar can meet the majority of demand, substantial pumped hydro storage and enhanced transmission are necessary for stability and economic viability.

Project Tips

• Consider the energy storage needs for your renewable energy design project.
• Investigate the potential for grid interconnection and its impact on system reliability.

How to Use in IA

• Reference this study when discussing the need for energy storage and grid infrastructure in your renewable energy design project.

Examiner Tips

• Demonstrate an understanding of the systemic requirements for renewable energy integration beyond just generation.

Independent Variable: ["Proportion of wind and PV in the energy mix","Level of inter-regional interconnection","Amount of energy storage"]

Dependent Variable: ["Hourly energy balance","Grid stability","Levelised cost of electricity"]

Controlled Variables: ["Australian National Electricity Market structure","Existing hydroelectricity and biomass capacity","Technology deployment rates (>10 GW/year)"]

Strengths

• Utilizes hourly energy balance analysis for detailed system assessment.
• Focuses on currently deployable technologies, avoiding speculative assumptions.

Critical Questions

• How sensitive are the cost estimates to variations in the price of pumped hydro storage technology?
• What are the regulatory and policy challenges in implementing the necessary grid upgrades and storage solutions?

Extended Essay Application

• An Extended Essay could investigate the feasibility of a specific renewable energy storage solution for a local context, drawing on the principles of energy balance and cost analysis presented here.

Source

100% renewable electricity in Australia · Energy · 2017 · 10.1016/j.energy.2017.05.168