How does compressed air work in Australia?

The compressed air is sent down a shaft into a purpose-built underground cavern. When energy is required, compressed air is sent back up the shaft to drive a turbine, which generates electricity that can be used to stabilize the local grid, provide energy for Broken Hill, or be sold into Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM) grid.

What is compressed air energy storage (CAES)?

Storage needs to be cost effective, and it needs to be efficient, that is, we need to get a high proportion of the energy we put into storage back out again. Compressed air energy storage (CAES) is a promising, cost-effective technology to complement battery and pumped hydro storage by providing storage over a medium duration of 4 to 12 hours.

Where is compressed air stored?

Compressed air is commonly stored in geological formations like rock reservoirs or salt mines, leveraging pre-existing infrastructure to reduce costs. CAES employs two primary storage approaches: In constant-volume storage systems, specific physical boundaries govern storage space volume while permitting variable air pressure.

How does compressed air storage work?

One such storage solution revolves around compressed air, offering a reservoir for surplus electricity when demand is low. CAES is a proven method of storing energy in compressed air, which can later be harnessed for power generation during peak demand or when other energy sources are unavailable.

How will a new energy storage facility benefit Australia?

The expansion of this heated air through turbines drives the generation of electricity, feeding power back into the grid. This large-scale, long-duration energy storage facility is poised to reinforce the reliability of the NSW electricity grid while supporting Australia’s transition to renewable energy sources.

What is the Silver City energy storage centre?

The Silver City Energy Storage Centre, spearheaded by Canadian firm Hydrostor, represents a pioneering application of underground compressed air energy storage (CAES) technology. Positioned near Broken Hill, this facility is designed to supply backup electricity for approximately 80,000 homes during peak consumption periods.