- Horizon Power the first Australian
energy utility to purchase vanadium redox flow battery
- Energy storage pilot supports Cook
Government's commitment to net zero by 2050
Western Australia's
regional energy provider Horizon Power has purchased a vanadium redox flow
battery for a long-duration energy storage pilot in Kununurra.
The 78-kilowatt/220kWh
battery will enable Horizon Power to test the capabilities of providing long
periods of 100% renewable energy, with the potential for it to be used across
WA.
Horizon Power has signed
an agreement with VSUN Energy, a subsidiary of Australian Vanadium Limited, for
the purchase, installation, and commissioning of the vanadium battery.
Vanadium batteries are
temperature resilient in harsh environments, have a long duration capacity, and
provide stable energy storage.
The battery can store high
volumes of excess energy and provide backup power during times of peak demand
or when power supply is interrupted.
It also minimises the
need for costly fossil fuel generation and grid infrastructure upgrades.
The technology has the
potential to provide a long-term solution for microgrids and off-grid power
systems.
This pilot will provide
key learnings around how the technology can be effectively integrated into
Horizon Power's network.
The battery is expected
to arrive in Perth early 2024. After successful testing, it will then be
transported to Kununurra.
The Cook Government
recently allocated $625 million for Kwinana Battery Stage Two, which is
expected to be operational late 2024.
Comments attributed to
Energy Minister Bill Johnston:
"This
is another example of Horizon Power leading the way when it comes to utilising
cutting-edge, clean energy technology.
"Vanadium
redox flow batteries are specifically designed to deliver energy over a
long period of time, which is crucial for achieving the high levels of
decarbonisation we are after.
"If the pilot is
successful, there is potential to expand the use of long-duration, 100 per cent
renewable energy across Horizon Power's 2.3 million square-kilometre network."
