More evidence of the need for energy storage to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and support the transition to a zero carbon energy system.
☀️ Transforming utilities | General Manager Australia at Kaluza | Energy transition optimist | LinkedIn Top Voice | Networker | Speaker | Dad ☀️ (Views are my own)
The combined output of wind and solar in South Australia fell to ZERO yesterday morning. This is a rare event for the state that averages 70% wind and solar, although it is not unprecedented. At 7:05am the sun still hadn't risen and wind output briefly dropped to zero (actually ~10 kW but near enough). With no hydro, the state was reliant on fossil gas generation and imports, with batteries still only making a very small contribution. Within an hour, solar was ramping up again, meeting over 80% of state demand at its peak, but this clearly shows the importance of #energystorage, as well as having enough low cost clean generation to charge it. 4-hour batteries could have avoided most of the price spikes around the time of this event, but for the state to ultimately wean itself off gas, it will need more long duration storage, which might be pumped hydro, compressed air, flow batteries and thermal energy storage. V2X could also play a key role. With wholesale prices hitting the market cap of over $17,000/MWh, anyone on a wholesale-linked retail energy plan with a battery could have done well. #energy #sustainability #renewables #energytransition