☀️ Transforming utilities | General Manager Australia at Kaluza | Energy transition optimist | LinkedIn Top Voice | Networker | Speaker | Dad ☀️ (Views are my own)
South Australia is all set to become the world's first non-hydro grid to reach 100% net renewables. Two large wind projects totalling 574 MW were recently awarded contracts under the first round of the government's Capacity Investment Scheme, which was the largest renewables auction ever held in Australia. "Net" 100% renewables means that while the state may not be powered entirely by renewables all of the time, the amount of electricity generated by wind and solar each year will equal what the state consumes each year. It will still be importing and exporting from neighbouring states, and will still use gas when needed. The target was originally set for 2030 but was then brought forward to 2027 - a common theme in the energy transition as progress is made faster than expected. There is also a new interconnector under construction - Project Energy Connect - which will effectively double the state's import and export capacity. This will help displace gas from the mix. AGL has already announced that it will close its Torrens Island gas fired power station once Project Energy Connect is operational. South Australia is currently at 72% wind and solar - already a world leader - and a number of projects in the pipeline will help drive the state to 80% renewables over the coming year: ➡️ The 412 MW Goyder South wind farm (the largest in the state) is about to connect to the grid. ➡️ Several new batteries are under construction - Blyth, Hallett, Clements Gap and Templers as well as Tailem Bend. The new wind farms, plus nearly 2,000 MWh of storage in the pipeline will then help propel the state towards 100%. And this is attracting more industrial loads as well. The state currently has about 400 MW of industrial load, but has advanced enquiries for another 2,000 MW, covering mining, data centres and other energy intensive businesses. South Australia has been a renewable energy pioneer and it's good to see the state continuing to be a world leader. H/t: RenewEconomy, link to article in comments below #energy #sustainability #renewables #energytransition
The first state, but not the first country - that honour belongs to Denmark, which can generate 120% of its needs on a good day. Denmark first perfected this on the Island of Aero in the southern archipelago many years ago.
This is great news, but the whole of the UK will reach net zero in 2030, come on buck you Ideas up, it's like when we stuff you at cricket and rugby
I wonder why no-hydro is mentioned and focused on🤔
"Grid"? Are you suggesting that the SA grid operates as an island? Electrons care little of borders on a map.
The key is "net". That still means redundant and backup generation. It will be interesting to see when SA loses its lead in retail electricity price.
I did some analysis on what the 'net' aspect is likely to involve in this post, along with the forecast emission intensity of SA's grid. SA will likely export ~15% of in-state generated RE, and be reliant on gas or imports for 15% of demand. Scope 1 emission intensity will likely be ~100kgCO2/MWh (down from 230kg now), probably the only grid in the world to get to this low level without hydro. Note that the wind:solar mix will be slightly different to what I estimated in this analysis, though I don't think it will change the final result greatly. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/david-osmond-00a88a2b1_good-news-as-sth-australia-locks-in-funds-activity-7218713262140391424-MKVo/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
Yet SA has some of the highest electricity prices in the world (~A$40cents/kWh). Strange when one considers how cheap solar and wind is to generate as CSIRO so elegantly keeps on reminding everyone. And as for industrial customers - no industrial user in his right mind would want to be in SA at those prices.
How does this equate with the facts in this image?
When the wind is blowing and the sun is shining. Hopefully that happens at the same time.
☀️ Transforming utilities | General Manager Australia at Kaluza | Energy transition optimist | LinkedIn Top Voice | Networker | Speaker | Dad ☀️ (Views are my own)
1wHere is a link to the article: https://reneweconomy.com.au/cis-auction-wins-esnure-south-australia-will-be-first-grid-in-world-to-reach-100-pct-net-wind-and-solar/