Completion of a renewables powered pumped-hydro microgrid project is being eagerly anticipated by the residents of Walpole in Western Australia.
Walpole is a small town in the south-western region of the state, situated approximately 430 kilometres from Perth and 66 kilometres from Denmark. While small in population (~500), it’s a bustling agricultural hub and welcomes many tourists.
But Walpole experiences ongoing electricity quality and reliability issues. A 125-kilometre long feeder line into the town is regularly impacted by fallen branches, storms and bushfires. Blackouts are common in the Walpole area, some of which can last for days.
Earlier this year, a renewables-based pumped-hydro project that will reduce mains grid supply interruptions in the town by an estimated 80% won $2 million in support under the McGowan Government’s Clean Energy Future Fund.
How Pumped-Up Walpole Will Work
Two connected dams are being built on a farm near the town, one set high and the other lower. Solar panels and batteries will provide the power to pump water from the lower dam to the higher one when surplus electricity is available. During periods of high electricity demand or in the case of mains grid supply interruption, water will be released from the higher dam to pass through a turbine that will generate electricity.
The dam area required for the project is only around two hectares. Walpole’s average load is 400kW, but the maximum output of the system will be 1,500 kW. When fully “charged”, it will be able to supply Walpole for up to two days.
It’s not clear whether extra solar power capacity is being installed for the project. In terms of currently existing solar panels in Walpole, more than 98 small-scale systems (<100kW) with a collective capacity of around 501 kW had been installed in the town’s postcode area as at October 31, 2022 – and there may be some larger systems around the place.
Commenting on the project yesterday, WA Energy Minister Bill Johnston said:
“The pumped hydro solution will reduce the number of outages in Walpole using green energy at no additional cost to businesses or the community while generating quality local jobs. This project plays an important role in our clean energy future, supports the increasing rise of renewables, and assists in balancing power demand and supply.”
While Minister Johnston declared the official start of construction yesterday, works appear to have been under way for a while now. The Pumped Up Walpole project page timeline indicates lower dam earthworks may have commenced in August. Works on the upper dam and pipe installation connecting the two dams will be completed next year. All going to plan, work should be completed and the generator connected by around June 2023.
More Pumped Hydro Microgrid Projects In The Pipeline
Pumped Up Walpole is a collaborative project between Power Research and Development (PRD) and Western Power. PRD Director Colin Stonehouse says the company has commenced planning for other pumped hydro renewable microgrids for fringe-of-grid towns in Western Australia.
“Of around 30 well-suited towns we are looking at so far, our aspiration is to have five ready to proceed after Walpole,” he said.
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No indication of the capacity.
https://www.energymagazine.com.au/construction-begins-at-wa-pumped-hydro-microgrid/
gives the value of 30MWh. So at Walpole’s mean supply of 400kW, it will supply backup power for 3 days. You have to love PHS.
I wonder what the cost was? It would be interesting to compare with batteries. The fall is only 90m so this gives hope to many sites over SW WA.
RE generation may be an issue. A lot of cloudy days in winter so solar farms may be north of Stirling range 60km away. It could use any curtailment from Albany wind farm, 120km away. Will they allow wind farms in national parks?