<
https://theconversation.com/big-batteries-are-now-outcompeting-gas-in-the-grid-and-gas-rich-western-australia-is-at-the-forefront-271753>
"Australia’s electricity grids are undergoing a profound transformation. Solar
and wind have provided 99% of new generating capacity since 2015. Last month,
renewables hit parity with fossil fuels for the first time.
But there’s a lesser-known part to the story. Renewable output varies, which
means they need to be backed up. For years, authorities have predicted gas
power stations would remain necessary to back up or “firm” renewables. But
increasingly, this work is being done instead by large-scale batteries.
Grid batteries have rapidly moved from a supporting role to prime time by
firming renewables, ramping up output very rapidly and boosting system security
by ensuring a stable voltage. Battery capacity in the pipeline has soared from
3 gigawatts in 2022 to 26GW in 2025 in Australia’s main power grid, the
National Electricity Market.
Batteries can soak up a glut of solar and release it back to the grid during
evenings. It’s nowhere more visible than in isolated Western Australia, which
has its own separate power grids.
In recent months, renewables (largely solar) have begun supplying more than
half (55%) of the electricity to WA’s Wholesale Electricity Market. Batteries
are increasingly overtaking large-scale solar and gas generation in meeting
peak demand.
As grid operators grow more comfortable with the capabilities of grid
batteries, it will become less necessary to burn gas for power. One of the
world’s top gas exporters is now demonstrating how to avoid using this fossil
fuel."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
