Tilt Renewables announces energy projects for SA

battery

Tilt Renewables has announced advances in two new renewable energy projects for South Australia.

A new 300MW, 1350MWh pumped hydro energy storage project at Highbury is moving to the approvals phase; and a grant of more than $7 million has been announced from SA’s Renewable Technology Fund to support development of the Snowtown North Solar Farm and Battery Energy Storage System Project.

“Together, these projects will make a meaningful contribution to the state’s renewable energy and security of supply targets and economic priorities,” Tilt Renewables chief executive Deion Campbell said.

The Highbury Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Project will be constructed on the site of a decommissioned quarry, 14km north east of Adelaide.

The site at the old Highbury Quarry is currently owned by project partner Holcim Australia and ceased quarrying operations in 2009.

Mr Campbell said the pumped hydro facility is a “real winner” for South Australia.

“Not only will we be able to support energy security and contribute to reducing power price volatility, we’ll also have the option to open up some of the 350 hectare site for public recreational use with potential for walking trails, picnic areas and outdoor activities,” he said.

The $90 million Snowtown North Solar Farm and Battery Energy Storage System Project will be built alongside Tilt Renewables existing Snowtown wind farms.

The project will include a 44MW solar farm and a 26MWh battery energy storage system and once complete, the energy generated will be injected into the national electricity grid via the existing 100MW Snowtown Stage 1 Wind Farm substation.

Mr Campbell said the Snowtown development demonstrated the integration of the right mix of existing technologies in a modern renewable electricity system could provide flexibility and security of supply and co-location could greatly increase asset utilisation and overall system efficiency.

“When complete, the new infrastructure will be part of the biggest co-located wind, solar and battery facility in Australasia,” he said.

“By combining wind energy (with typically an evening peak at this site) and solar energy (with a daytime peak), the two assets can combine to better match daily electricity demands, with the battery reducing the effect of short term variability from the two renewable generation technologies.”

At an event hosted by Tilt Renewables today at the site of the Highbury project, South Australia’s Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis congratulated the company for the success of their application to the Renewable Technology Fund.

The company has already invested almost $1 billion in South Australia.

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