World’s largest solar thermal plant planned for South Australia

• 7 years ago (2017-08-15)
• David Flin

Australasia 56 Solar 273

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SolarReserve has signed a long-term Generation Project Agreement (GPA) to build a 150 MW solar thermal power station near Port Augusta, South Australia. The Aurora Solar Energy Project will be the first of its kind in Australia. It will use SolarReserve’s solar thermal technology with integrated molten salt energy storage that will enable eight hours of energy storage.

Aurora will have 1100 MWh of energy storage capability, and SolarReserve claims that it will be the largest project of its kind in the world.

The GPA is similar to a Power Purchase Agreement, except that the emphasis is placed on the available capacity of the facility during peak demand periods rather than just the total amount of energy that can be delivered. Aurora will deliver power into the National Electricity Market (NEM) at high value electricity periods.

Kevin Smith, CEO of SolarReserve, said: “SolarReserve’s energy storage technology is an excellent fit for the South Australian electricity system. Aurora will provide much needed capacity and firm energy delivery into the South Australian market to reduce price volatility. SolarReserve looks forward to continuing to work with the South Australian government and stakeholders, including the Port Augusta community where the project is located, to support Federal and State renewable energy targets, stimulate long-term economic development, and create new jobs and businesses.”

As part of this transformative project, SolarReserve will establish a research partnership with South Australian universities to advance solar thermal research and education in South Australia.