Pacific Green, a global leader in renewable energy, has proposed the construction of one of the largest grid-scale battery energy parks in Australia. The planned project in Portland, Victoria, is a continuation of the company’s first battery project in South Australia, which was announced in November 2023.
Once operational, the 2.5 GWh Portland Energy Park will provide critical support for existing and planned renewable energy projects within the renewable energy zone in Southwest Victoria. The park will also strengthen electricity supply and price stability for households in Victoria and support the state’s transformation towards achieving net-zero emissions.
By accelerating the shift of energy consumption to renewable sources during evening peak hours, thereby replacing more expensive gas generation, the Portland Energy Park is expected to contribute to an estimated 3.8% reduction in wholesale electricity costs for households in Victoria. Utilizing energy from the park will also avoid the emission of approximately 66,900 tons of carbon dioxide annually.
“We are very excited to announce our second energy storage project in Australia. Our goal is to provide storage infrastructure that supports the energy network and enables decarbonization of the energy market. The Portland Energy Park will significantly reduce volatility in the Victorian wholesale market and lower prices as we transition towards achieving net-zero,” said Joel Alexander, Managing Director of Pacific Green in Australia.
The Energy Park will be strategically located in an industrial area in Portland, adjacent to the Portland aluminium smelter and water processing plant, allowing for harmonious coexistence with existing electrical infrastructure within the project’s site.
Pacific Green will utilize around 30 hectares to construct the proposed energy park. It will include four 250 MW battery parks, a 500/33 kV collector, a 500 kV substation, and a connection to the existing 500 kV transmission line. No new infrastructure will be required outside the project boundaries, and the impact on local residents during the construction and operation of the park will be minimal.
The Portland Energy Park is currently undergoing regulatory approval processes and is expected to be constructed in the first half of 2025. This project marks another step in Pacific Green’s expansion in Australia, following the announcement in 2023 of plans to build a 0.5 GW/1.5 GWh energy park in the Limestone Coast region of South Australia. Leveraging its extensive experience in delivering storage power in the United Kingdom, the company aims to accelerate Australia’s renewable energy transformation by constructing a multi-gigawatt platform that will be deployed nationwide.
FAQ:
1. What is the Portland Energy Park project?
Pacific Green proposes the construction of one of the largest battery energy parks with a capacity of 2.5 GWh in Portland, Victoria, Australia.
2. What are the objectives of this project?
The project aims to provide critical support for existing and planned renewable energy projects within the renewable energy zone in Southwest Victoria, strengthen electricity supply and price stability for households, and support the state’s transformation towards achieving net-zero emissions.
3. How will it contribute to lowering electricity costs?
By shifting energy consumption to renewable sources during evening peak hours, the project is expected to lower electricity costs by an estimated 3.8% for households in Victoria.
4. How will it impact carbon dioxide emissions?
Utilizing energy from the park will help avoid the emission of approximately 66,900 tons of carbon dioxide annually.
5. What are the plans for building the park?
Pacific Green will utilize around 30 hectares of land to construct four 250 MW battery parks, a 500/33 kV collector, a 500 kV substation, and a connection to the existing 500 kV transmission line. The park will be strategically located in an industrial area in Portland.
6. When will the park be built?
The Portland Energy Park is currently undergoing regulatory approval processes and is expected to be constructed in the first half of 2025.
New Terminology and Jargon:
1. Energy park: A location that utilizes renewable energy sources for the production and storage of electricity.
2. Grid-scale batteries: Large-scale batteries used to store and deliver a significant amount of electricity, primarily to balance the difference between energy production and consumption.
3. Renewable energy sources: Energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power that naturally replenish and do not rely on fossil fuels.
4. Net-zero emissions: A state in which greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere are balanced by their absorption or removal, resulting in no net emissions.
5. GWh: Gigawatt-hour, a unit of electrical energy equal to one billion watt-hours.
6. kW: Kilowatt, a unit of power equal to 1000 watts.
Suggested Related Links:
– Pacific Green – Official website of Pacific Green, a global leader in renewable energy.
– Healthy Energy – Website of the Ministry of Climate and Environment in Poland dedicated to renewable energy and energy transition.
The source of the article is from the blog meltyfan.es