Australia has a myriad of technical and community opportunities in the booming energy storage sector, according to a paper released by the Office of the Chief Scientist.

You can read the media release below, or download it as a PDF.

TAKING CHARGE OF ENERGY STORAGE OPPORTUNITIES

6 July 2018

Australia has a myriad of technical and community opportunities in the booming energy storage sector, according to a paper released by the Office of the Chief Scientist.

The paper highlights that in 2017 Australia led the world in the installation of residential battery storage systems in terms of power capacity, on the back of high penetration of household solar rooftop panels.

Aside from battery systems, there is rising interest in pumped hydro projects to store energy, and Australia is well-placed to be a leader in exporting renewable hydrogen; the paper concludes.

Australia’s Chief Scientist and report co-author Dr Alan Finkel said energy storage would be crucial to the future of Australia’s electricity network.

“We are entering an era of rapid technological transformation in electricity generation and usage,” Dr Finkel said.

“Energy storage technologies can not only help us benefit from the transition but to prosper through the creation of new industries, new jobs and opening up export markets.”

The paper notes that 1.8 million buildings in Australia are fitted with rooftop solar panels and the majority are residential.

Taking Charge: The Energy Storage Opportunity for Australia is a summary and update of a detailed report on energy storage by the Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA) released in November 2017.

The paper can be downloaded at www.chiefscientist.gov.au. The original ACOLA report can be downloaded at www.acola.org.au/wp/esp/.