Australia’s first Advanced Compressed Air Energy Storage (A-CAES) project will be developed at the former Angas Zinc Mine at Strathalbyn delivering cheaper, cleaner and more reliable electricity to South Australians.

Energy and Mining Minister Dan van Holst Pellekaan hailed Hydrostor Australia’s commitment in Strathalbyn as further evidence that the Marshall Government’s energy policies were attracting investment and jobs to South Australia.

“Hydrostor’s interest in establishing this Australian-first project at the Angas mine site highlights the State and Federal Governments’ commitment to make our renewable energy deliver more for consumers,’ said Minister van Holst Pellekaan.

“This project benefits both our electricity grid and the Strathalbyn community, converting a brownfield site into an emission-free clean energy project that will stimulate local economic activity.”

Federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor said the Commonwealth Government was pleased to support this project.

“A 250 per cent increase in variable renewable energy over the next three years requires additional investment in energy storage to deliver reliable 24/7 power”, said Minister Taylor.

“The Commonwealth Government, through ARENA, is supporting the reliable integration of renewable energy through energy storage projects like this.”

“Hydrostor’s Angas A-CAES Project is a welcome addition to this country’s rapidly expanding renewable generation and storage technologies.”

Hydrostor CEO Curtis VanWalleghem said Hydrostor Australia, a subsidiary of Toronto-based Hydrostor Inc., has established its Australian operations in Adelaide.

“The mine’s underground infrastructure will be transformed into an air storage cavern, utilising Hydrostor’s advanced compressed air energy storage technology,” said Mr VanWalleghem.

“Using the existing underground mine will minimise the impacts of the development on the environment, and turn a brownfield site into a clean energy hub.

“We’re excited that the contributions from ARENA and the South Australian Government enable us to demonstrate the significant benefits of adding our emission-free storage solution, helping South Australia develop a stronger and more reliable electricity grid at lower cost to consumers.”

Hydrostor has been awarded $6 million from the Commonwealth Government through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and $3 million from the South Australian Government to build the project at the mine site, which is currently in care and maintenance.

The Angas A-CAES Project will deliver emission-free energy storage, providing synchronous inertia, load shifting, frequency regulation, and support for grid security and reliability, benefiting South Australians.

What is an Advanced Compressed Air Energy Storage (A-CAES) project?

A-CAES technology works by using electricity from the grid to run a compressor, producing heated compressed air.

Heat is extracted from the air stream and stored inside a proprietary thermal store preserving the energy for use later in the cycle. Compressed air is then stored in a purpose-built underground cavern, which is kept at a constant pressure using hydrostatic head from a water column.

During charging, compressed air displaces water out of the cavern up a water column to a surface reservoir. On discharge, water flows back into the cavern forcing air to the surface under pressure where it is re-heated using the stored heat and then expanded through a turbine to generate electricity on demand.

For more information contact Minister van Holst Pellekaan’s media adviser Greg Charter on 0434 79 1627, or Hydrostor Australia’s Adelaide-based PR advisor Michelle Prak on 0409 964 331.

For more information, and to watch an animation about how Hydrostor’s Advanced Compressed Air Energy Storage (A-CAES) technology works, visit: hydrostor.ca