Hydrostor Plans Two Large Compressed Air Storage Facilities, One In Australia And One In California – CleanTechnica

Hydrostor Plans Massive Long-Term Energy Storage Facilities in Australia and California

Hydrostor, a Toronto-based company, has announced its plan to construct two large-scale long-term energy storage facilities. One facility will be located near Sydney, Australia, on the site of a former mine, while the other will be situated in Kern County, California, near Edwards Air Force Base. The Australian facility is expected to come online in 2027 and will have the capacity to discharge 200 MW of electricity for up to eight hours. On the other hand, the California installation, set to be completed before 2030, will be capable of supplying 500 MW of power for eight hours. These projects aim to address the growing need for energy storage as part of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Hydrostor Technology

The technology employed by Hydrostor is relatively simple and utilizes existing equipment from the oil and gas industry. The process involves using a hole in rock, air, and water. A supersize air compressor draws in air from the environment, compresses it, and transports it through a pipe into an underground cavern over 1,000 feet deep. As the air goes underground, it displaces water from the cavern up a shaft into a reservoir. When energy needs to be discharged, water is released into the cavern, forcing the air to the surface. The hot and dense air, mixed with stored heat, is then passed through a turbine to generate electricity. The system also extracts and stores heat from the air above ground for reuse.

Cost Effectiveness and Viability

Hydrostor’s long-term energy storage technology competes with other storage options such as pumped hydro. The projected cost of the California plant is approximately $1.5 billion, making it cost-competitive with other long-term storage technologies. The Department of Energy recognizes the importance of long-duration storage in achieving a fully decarbonized electrical grid and has set a goal to reduce the costs of these technologies by 90% within 10 years. Hydrostor believes that as it gains experience from these initial projects, it can further reduce costs. The storage systems have a projected lifespan of about 50 years, providing a long-term solution compared to battery systems with shorter lifespans.

Challenges and Progress

The proposed project in California has faced challenges during the permitting process, resulting in changes to the design and location of the facility. The California Energy Commission paused its review of the Hydrostor proposal to allow the company to provide more details about its updated plan. However, both the government of California and the California Energy Commission are committed to developing long-term energy storage capacity. The state estimates a need for 4 gigawatts of storage capacity to achieve its goal of 100% clean electricity by 2045. Hydrostor’s success in California could serve as a model for future projects and contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.

The Importance of Energy Storage for Sustainable Development

Energy storage plays a crucial role in transitioning away from thermal generating stations powered by coal or methane. Renewable energy sources like solar are intermittent, and current battery storage systems have limitations in terms of duration. Long-term energy storage solutions like Hydrostor’s technology enable capturing and storing excess electricity generated during the day for use during periods of low or no generation. This brings us closer to achieving a low- or zero-emissions grid, which aligns with the SDGs and the goal of combating climate change.

Conclusion

Hydrostor’s plan to construct massive long-term energy storage facilities in Australia and California represents a significant step towards achieving the SDGs and transitioning to a sustainable energy future. The company’s technology, which leverages existing equipment and techniques from the oil and gas industry, offers a cost-effective and viable solution for storing renewable energy. As the projects progress, Hydrostor aims to further reduce costs and contribute to the development of a decarbonized electrical grid. The success of these projects could pave the way for future long-term energy storage initiatives.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 13: Climate Action

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
• SDG 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable.
• SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Installed capacity of long-term energy storage facilities using Hydrostor’s technology.
• Cost-effectiveness of Hydrostor’s technology compared to other long-term energy storage technologies.
• Reduction in the costs of long-duration storage technologies needed for a fully decarbonized electrical grid.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Fuente: cleantechnica.com

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