The Hornsdale Power Reserve received regulatory approval to move forward with an expansion project. The facility is already the largest lithium-ion battery of its kind in the world.

South Australia fielded 90 proposals from 10 countries suggesting several projects back in April of 2017. The original guidelines set forth included a completion date of December of the same year. The goal was to keep the process moving quickly. Funding was easier to secure thanks to international interest in the undertaking.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk added to the list of hopefuls with one significant promise: his team would finish the job within 100 days of signing the contract or the battery would be free. It was a deal that was too good to pass up. The contract was awarded to Tesla.

Musk’s team easily beat his 100-day promise by finishing in just 63 days, making the battery operational in September 2017.

Two years later in November, the capacity was increased by 50%. The expansion was funded by $15 million from the government, $8 million from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), and $50 million in cheap loans issued through the Clean Energy Finance Corporation.

The Hornsdale Power Reserve is currently owned by independent power company Neoen.

Connect Electric is excited to see new projects and expansions that bring solar energy to more people throughout Australia.

Expanding Solar in Australia

The Hornsdale Power Reserve had an interesting beginning and continues to impress with its performance. The project has been successful enough to encourage yet another expansion.

On 18 June 2020, the Essential Services Commission of South Australia (ESCoSA) approved a variation to the Big Battery’s licence. The change would permit an increase from 100 megawatts to 150 megawatts.

The location would expand from 100MW/129MWh to 150MW/194MWh. There would be additional storage to provide synthetic inertia. The update would allow the facility to deliver more service to the grid, further phasing out some of the community’s reliance on fossil fuel.

This approval also marks a milestone in the South Australian government’s plan to achieve net 100% renewables in the next 10 years.

Hornsdale is one of three big batteries currently in operation. The other locations include Lake Bonney and Dalrymple North. Plans for new facilities are in the works.

The ESCoSA released a statement explaining that “The Commission assessed Hornsdale Power Reserve Pty LTD’s application for an electricity generation licence against the relevant provisions of the Electricity Act 1996 and the Essential Services Commission Act 2002 and determined that all relevant criteria under those Acts have been satisfied. It has therefore approved the application.”

The expansion was originally announced last year with plans to be online in March 2020.

So far, Hornsdale’s battery has been an enormous success for everyone. That includes the state government who signed a 10-year long $40 million contract that guaranteed emergency backup as well as the grid operator, owner, and consumers who utilise its services.

According to Neoen, the reserve has provided over $150 million in cost reductions. The company’s official website stated that construction has begun with plans to finish this year. Along with consumer savings, they expect the project to serve as a demonstration of the “potential for using battery storage to provide stabilising inertia services that are critical to the future integration of renewable energy.”

Electric cars have been around for a while now. They are often a topic of discussion among people who want to find ways to cut CO2 emissions and live greener. The technology has improved, bringing us even more ways to phase out fossil fuels.

Bigger vehicles like Tesla’s all-electric Class 8 semi truck are impressive and add to the versatility of renewable energy. But there’s another advancement that Connect Electric feels should be on everyone’s radar.

The Biggest Electric Commerical Aircraft Takes Off

A Washington State airfield nestled between stretches of farmland made renewable history as the departure point for the biggest electrical commercial aeroplane thus far. The craft took off and flew for 30 minutes on 28 May 2020.

Its journey took it over Grant County International Airport where a crowd of observers cheered.

The aircraft in question was a modified Cessna Caravan 208B. It can carry up to 9 passengers. It only had one seat installed for the pilot at the time of the flight.

A small group of 9 sounds like nothing compared to the 200 to 300-seat aeroplanes that deliver passengers for holidays and work trips. Or the massive double-decker models that fly across entire continents. It may be tiny in comparison, but it was still an important first step.

Despite its small stature, the experimental plane is a noteworthy achievement for AeroTEC and MagniX. The two companies provided the electric motor and were pleased with the results.

MagniX CEO Roei Ganzarski stated that the price of flying the Cessna was a mere $6 USD (approximately $8.75 AUD). The same trip using conventional fuel would have cost around $437 to $583 AUD.

Starting Small Yields Big Results

This isn’t the first time that electricity has allowed man to fly. Previous experiments have been successfully completed that used smaller aircraft with electric engines supplied by MagniX. Those smaller endeavours are what pushes research and development toward bigger results.

It’s important to remain realistic about the timeline for full-sized commercial flights that rely on a renewable fuel source. We most likely won’t see a 100% electric-powered large-scale commercial aircraft anytime soon, or even within the next half a century. However, the technology will continue to improve and allow us to make air travel more efficient and affordable.

Energy density is one of the problems researchers face. This term refers to the number of watt-hours you can get per kilogram. Today’s lithium-ion battery has an energy density that could reach up to 250 Wh per kg while jet fuel is closer to 12,000 Wh per kg.

While that sounds like a significant difference, electrical propulsion systems help close the gap with efficient designs. They require less energy to cover more miles compared to traditional systems.

Even with that extra efficiency, fossil fuel models are still 14 times more energy-rich. Batteries can also be awkward to add to an aircraft due to their rigid shape and bulk. Liquid fuel can accommodate different shapes, like fitting inside a wing.

It may take time, but eventually, we will find ways to address these challenges and bring clean, renewable energy to the airline industry.

Cost has always been one of the major factors people point to when discussing renewable energy. While the environmental implications are very important, the price also affects how viable a power source is for the larger community.

Independent financial think tank Carbon Tracker recently released a report that found that the cost of renewable energy is lower than the previous cost-effective option, coal.

For years, coal was relied upon as an affordable way to bring power to millions of people. In the United States, nine out of every 10 tonnes of coal mined was consumed to generate electricity. Coal makes up 73% of the resources used to produce electricity across Australia. Natural gas comes in second with a mere 13%.

A total of 78 countries around the globe used coal for energy in 2019. That was up from 66 countries in 2000.

With so many regions reliant on coal, it can be a hard sell to switch to an alternative. However, according to the Carbon Tracker website, “coal developers risk wasting more than $600 billion because it is already cheaper to generate electricity from renewables than from new coal plants in all major markets.”

Out with the Coal and In with the Renewables

Many communities are faced with a decision: continue using coal or invest in renewable technology. Some speculate that it might be cheaper to build new sustainable energy facilities over the next decade rather than continue operating existing coal power stations.

The report also called for policymakers to stop investing in coal and to begin redesigning regulations in the power market. The goal should focus on minimising stranded asset risk but to also accelerate the transition to a lower-carbon economy.

A world map was included that highlights the countries where renewable energy is cheaper to use than coal. The list includes Russia, Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, India, South Africa, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

Despite the signing of the Paris Agreement, coal still features prominently in the energy market. This stems from its availability and low cost. Millions of tonnes sit underground while powerful companies backed by governments try to take advantage of this otherwise unhealthy resource.

The shortcomings of wind and solar also work to coal’s advantage. Wind requires a breeze while solar needs the sun to shine to work. However, improved technology has increased efficiency and minimised the impact of these problems. When coupled with the lower cost, renewables become a strong contender against previous heavyweight coal.

Renewable Energy at Home

You have the option to decide how you want to power your home. Solar systems are more affordable than ever and can be installed on-site so you don’t have to rely on delivery from the grid. 

Connect Electric can help you learn more about why renewable energy is a better alternative to harmful fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, and petroleum. Contact us today to discuss your electricity needs and to find out how solar can help you stop relying on coal.

The majority of Australians use some amount of electricity on an average day. This is usually a safe, mundane activity we don’t think much about. However, when not installed correctly, electrical equipment can be a hazard. That’s why there are regulations and rules in place that provide guidelines for safe installation and use.

This is where electrical inspections come in. If you are planning to build a new structure, update an old structure, or make changes to your home, then you may need to schedule an inspection. The following list outlines situations that require an electrical inspection by a licensed professional.

• Updating Old Wiring – If you are replacing wiring in your home, then you should have an electrical inspection done. A professional can verify that everything is compliant with regulations, and all safety precautions are in place. This is especially true for older homes where most or all wiring is being updated.
• Prepping for Storms – Storms can cause lighting and damage to power lines, which can cause power surges and outages. If you want to make your home as safe as possible from electrical storm damage, then have an inspection done. An electrician can make recommendations to lower your risk and protect your home and devices.
• Buying a New Home – You should have an electrician inspect your new home before buying it. They can identify any hidden problems that the sellers may not have mentioned or didn’t know about. These are things that can affect a home’s value as well as safety, which could impact your ability to obtain financing. Know what to expect now so that there are no surprises later.
• Building a New Home – New construction will have to have new wiring installed. It’s great to have brand new equipment and components. An electrical inspection should be scheduled after the work is done and before you move in. This will ensure that no corners were cut, and nothing was overlooked.
• Work That Effects Wiring – If you make renovations or perform other work on your home that affects or involves wiring or electrical components, you may need to have an inspection. This should be done as a precaution to make sure nothing was accidentally damaged, altered, or improperly installed during the project.
• If You Haven’t Had One in a While – It is your duty to make sure that your living space remains safe. Many homeowners schedule regular electrical inspections as part of this process. This will allow you to identify potential problems before they have a chance to damage your property and endanger the lives of those who live there.

Schedule Your Electrical Inspection

Scheduling an electrical inspection should be done in advance when starting any projects or before moving into a new home. You should receive a certificate of compliance from the electrician who completed the work to verify that everything was tested and complies with regulations. Keep this in a safe place to reference in case you need electrical work done in the future.