Page - 208 - in Book of Full Papers - Symposium Hydro Engineering

Assuming the project meets its financial hurdles, it could begin operation in 2024 [15]. 4.4. BATTERY OF THE NATION The ‘Battery of the Nation’ [16] project aims to set a blueprint for how Tasmania's renewable resources could be developed over coming decades. With funding support from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), Hydro Tasmania is investigating future development opportunities through which Tasmania could make a greater contribution to the National Electricity Market (NEM). With further interconnection to mainland Australia, favourable market settings and a sound development plan, Tasmania could produce significantly more renewable energy and realise the full value of Tasmania’s hydropower system. This initiative, if realised, would lock in full energy security for Tasmania, help give Tasmanians access to the lowest possible power prices and deliver reliable, cost-effective clean energy as the ‘Battery of the Nation’. The program of works includes:  ‘future state’ National Electricity Market analysis – investigating and developing a pathway of future development opportunities for Tasmania to make a greater contribution to a future National Electricity Market  the Hydro Tasmania pumped hydro energy storage project – assessing opportunities for pumped hydro in Tasmania, including potential conversion of existing hydro generators and new installations  power system improvements – investigating projects that will improve and optimise power generation including options for redesigning the Tarraleah Power Scheme to boost efficiency and improve management of environmental flows through the Gordon Power Station. 5. CONCLUSIONS This paper has demonstrated the growing importance of storage in Australia’s NEM as coal-fired generation is replaced by variable renewables. It has also highlighted the importance of hydro storage and how this can be achieved through either pumped storage hydropower or better utilisation of existing hydropower storages. It is highly probable that the transition to renewables will lead to a change in the way existing hydro storages are operated, not only providing energy but also providing grid reliability and flexibility. 208