The Victorian Government-owned renewable energy company, SEC, has announced plans to establish an energy innovation precinct in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley region. The 143-hectare precinct located in Hazelwood North − known as SEC Energy Works − will provide a space for SEC to partner with industry to develop a range of new energy infrastructure and storage technologies that our future energy system will require.
SEC’s first project at the new precinct will be a closed-loop, compressed CO2 long-duration energy storage solution in partnership with global clean technology company, Energy Dome. Once built, the 20-megawatt facility will be capable of continuously supplying electricity for 10 to 12 hours.
The project will be Victoria’s first long-duration energy storage facility and Australia’s first commercial use of closed-loop, compressed CO2 energy storage.
Battery technology is playing an increasingly vital role in Victoria’s energy system, storing surplus renewable generation during the day, and releasing it during evening peaks to help stabilise supply and put downward pressure on power prices.
While Australia has seen a proliferation of battery storage in recent years, much of this has focused on shorter duration technologies, providing two to four hours of energy storage to support the grid during the morning and/or evening peaks.
“Long-duration energy storage will play a foundational, system-level role in Victoria’s future energy system, firming variable renewable generation (from wind and solar) to deliver the around-the-clock reliability of supply that’s needed to power our homes, businesses and communities,” said SEC Chief Executive Officer, Chris Miller.
“As an integrated generator and retailer of 100% renewable electricity to commercial and industrial customers, we envisage long-duration energy storage will play a critical role in balancing our portfolio, enabling SEC to provide additional support to the system during multi-hour or multi-day wind or solar droughts,” said Mr Miller.
Claudio Spadacini, Founder and CEO of Energy Dome, said partnering with SEC to bring long-duration energy storage to Victoria is a defining moment for Energy Dome.
“Our CO2 battery delivers 10 to 12 hours of clean, dispatchable power, using proven compressor and turbine technology familiar to the Latrobe Valley workforce. This project will help support the region’s transition from coal while maintaining the engineering skills that have powered Victoria for generations.”
As Victoria advances towards its 65% renewable energy target in 2030, wider deployment of longer-duration storage will be critical for grid reliability and security.
“SEC can play an important enabling role by supporting these newer, proven technologies to work on a commercial scale in the National Electricity Market (NEM), creating clearer market signals for private investors,” added Mr Miller.
Projects developed at SEC Energy Works will add to SEC’s growing portfolio of assets, with 1,024 megawatts of committed projects to date. This includes the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub, one of the world biggest batteries in Plumpton, the SEC Renewable Energy Park, a solar-BESS hybrid near Horsham, and the SEC Delburn Wind Farm also located near the Latrobe Valley in Gippsland.
“SEC is excited to support future energy innovation at the precinct, providing early investment and allowing industry to build confidence to take new energy technologies to the next stage of commercialisation, while supporting more renewable projects to connect to the grid,” said Mr Miller.
Planning and design for the project has begun, with early stakeholder and community consultation now underway.
Media contact
Debbie Guest,
Media & Communications Manager, SEC
Email: debbie.guest@secvictoria.com.au, Website: https://www.secvictoria.com.au/
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