It’s All About Energy – Event 1: Session 3. 18th August, 2017

Session 3: Security and Reliability without Coal ?

This Session

• Some introductions …

• The current power plant mix, age and retirements – choices to be made.

• Is there a clever combination? Enhanced grid connectivity + Pumped Hydro Storage + Maximum use of flexible gas.

• And now for something completely different … Small Modular Reactors - a new nuclear option?

Session 3: Security and Reliability without Coal ?

We have a mixed and ageing fleet – everything retires eventually

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2016 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050 2055

Fossil Fuel Generation by end ... (No. of plants)

Gas Black Coal Brown Coal

QLD dominates‘Best’ remaining coal

plus 55% of gas

Session 3: Security and Reliability without Coal ?

Retirement - leads to replacement choices & emissions consequences

Session 3: Security and Reliability without Coal ?

Retirement - reducing NEM emissions

Session 3: Security and Reliability without Coal ?

Retirement – reducing NEM emissions but … what about the lights ?

What do we replace this with?1 – Lights must stay on.2 – We care about energy prices.3 – We care about emissions.

Session 3: Security and Reliability without Coal ?

So …

Is there a clever combination of replacement options ?

Professor Simon Bartlett, University of Queensland

Session 3: Security and Reliability without Coal ?

Hydro & pumped storage: an obvious “dancing partner” for wind and solar

• Reliable and Secure Stable: high synchronous inertia and fast frequency response Flexible: dispatch and load following capability Back-up Storage: large scale for excess solar

• Affordable Cheap: 1/10th the cost of battery storage (in $/MWh) Long Lasting: 10 x the life of batteries Low Cost: lowest cost delivery of new ancillary services

• Clean – Low CO2

But not zero impact

Session 3: Security and Reliability without Coal ?

There could be significant hydro / pumped storage sites in Queensland (5.5 GW)

Rigorous screening: by SECQ 1980’s

Large capacity: energy storage

Low cost, high response: high hydraulic head

Reserved sites: for future development

Low Impact: (not zero)

Existing dams: or off-stream reservoirs

Infrastructure: close by

Tully Millstream1,000MW

Borumba1,000MW

Burdekin Falls 1,500MW

Mount Byron 2,000MW

Session 3: Security and Reliability without Coal ?

ARC-Mesh – key enablerAustralian Renewable Connector - Meshing the NEM

Interconnector: privately funded

Modern Tech: HVDC VSC

Low Cost: innovative line design

Price Stability: in SA and Qld

Security: for SA power system

Low env. impact: (not zero)

Quick: short construction time

Session 3: Security and Reliability without Coal ?

feasibility study underway by ARC-Mesh

QLD has the majority of “New Gas” and the Newest, Most Efficient Coal Fired

Northern closed

Hazelwood closed

ARCMesh to SA and Vic

ARCMesh expands Heyward

3 supercritical SEQ coal stations`

3 newer CQ coal stations

Liddell closing

Yallourn next

old NSW coal next

ARCMeshexpands QNI

Session 3: Security and Reliability without Coal ?

AND …Modern QLD Gas as Back-up when wind and solar fade?

base load power to BHP Olympic Dam

base load power to Portland smelter

Queensland Gas

ARCMesh to SA and Vic

ARCMeshexpands QNI

ARCMeshexpands SA-Vic

base load power to NSW industry

base load power to Gladstone industries

LNG exports

Session 3: Security and Reliability without Coal ?

AND …Develop Australia’s Best Renewables.

ARCMeshexpands QNI

ARCMeshexpands SA-Vic

ARCMesh to SA and Vic

SA wind power

Central Aust solar

Nth.Qldsolar

West Vic wind power

Nth. Qld hydro

Central Aust

geothermal ??

Session 3: Security and Reliability without Coal ?

AND …Develop Australia’s Best Energy Storage.

ARCMeshexpands QNI

ARCMeshexpands SA-Vic

ARCMesh to SA and Vic

Solar Thermal Storage

West Vic wind power

Nth. Qld Pumped Hydro

Snowy 2.0

SEQ Pumped Hydro

SA Pumped Hydro

Session 3: Security and Reliability without Coal ?

A Smart Combination for Replacements ? … It’s an ‘AND’ not an ‘OR’ solution

• Newest, most efficient coal in fleet to ~2050 (Queensland)plus• Best use of modern flexible gas (mostly in Queensland)plus• ARC Mesh – turn the NEM spine into a proper grid … the key enablerplus• Develop best renewablesplus• Develop best energy storage (hydro)

Session 3: Security and Reliability without Coal ?

And now for something completely different …

Small Modular Reactors - a new nuclear option?

Dr. Adi Paterson, CEO, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation

TBC