More than 1000 sites across the Top End have been identified as possible locations for pumped hydro energy storage.
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As a part of a government backed plan, researchers from the Australian National University have developed a nationwide map of potential sites for establishing off-river pumped hydro storage.
Pumped hydro energy storage involves pumping water uphill to a storage reservoir and releasing it through a turbine to provide additional energy into the electricity grid when it is needed.
It accounts for 97 per cent of energy storage worldwide. The potential sites have only been assessed on a geographic basis at this stage.
“Investing in renewable storage technologies, such as pumped hydro and batteries, will play a key role into securing an affordable and reliable energy network in Australia,” said Environment and Energy minister Josh Frydenberg.
“As the Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel noted in his review of the National Electricity Market, pumped hydro storage systems are the most mature electrical energy storage systems available,” Mr Frydenberg said.
“The Turnbull Government is already supporting a major expansion of the Snowy Hydro scheme and looking at further hydro-electricity and pumped storage opportunities in Tasmania, the Upper Spencer Gulf in South Australia and Kidston in Queensland.”