The Queensland government has given a “first look” at its plans to transform one of the state’s biggest coal plants into a renewable energy hub, including the installation of a newly commissioned 1MW/10MWh iron flow battery system.
The Palaszczuk government said on Monday that state-owned energy company Stanwell Corporation would begin early works this year on the up to $100 million Future Energy and Innovation Training Hub (FEITH) in Rockhampton, central Queensland.
The hub will serve as a “sandbox” facility to test out new renewables technologies including for wind, solar, green hydrogen and battery storage. It will also provide a hands-on training facility to develop the skills needed support the state’s Energy and Jobs Plan.
Stanwell chief Michael O’Rourke said the FEITH project was a “visible bright spark” for the region and workers at the company’s 1,460MW coal-fired Stanwell Power Station, which is scheduled to start winding down by 2026/27, according to the state’s 80 per cent by 2035 renewables timeline.
“It will increase our understanding of new energy technologies and their application in building Stanwell’s renewable energy portfolio and driving the development of Queensland hydrogen industry,” he said.
“And just as importantly, it will help us create the energy workforce Queensland needs for the future through hands-on skills development and training.”
A race to renewables
Queensland Labor announced its 70% renewable energy target for 2032, and 80% by 2035, almost one year ago as part of a fast-tracked 10-year energy and jobs plan.
The plan targets the development of at least 22GW of new wind and solar, 11.5GW of rooftop solar, 9GW of battery storage (mostly household and business) and two massive new pumped hydro projects totalling 7GW and 24 hours storage.
On the flip-side, more than 8GW of coal fired power stations in the state have had to accelerate their closure dates, to end Queensland’s currently hefty reliance on coal power by 2035.
As part of the new plan, the Palaszczuk government also pledged to repurpose most of these coal plants as “clean energy hubs” and use their spinning machines to as “synchronous condensers.”
“We are delivering on our commitment to reinvest in this power station with new renewable energy, renewable hydrogen, storage, and system strength infrastructure, leveraging the strategic advantages of the site,” said the state member for Rockhampton and Queensland hydrogen champion Barry O’Rourke, on Monday.
“This investment locks in the opportunity for central Queensland workers to lead a green hydrogen industry with the potential to grow demand for renewable energy, assist in domestic supply for decarbonisation, and create the opportunity to export our …renewable resources to the world.”
Queensland’s minister for energy, Mick de Brenni, says the Stanwell Clean Energy Hub is proposed to be delivered in phases over the course of five years, starting with the establishment of common infrastructure and civil works in late 2023.
“While other states are scrambling to get out of coal-fired power, or even prop it up for longer, it’s Queensland who is now leading the nation’s orderly climate and energy transition,” the minister said.
“We need to set the standard because public ownership gives us an extra layer of accountability to our workers, communities, and the environment, as well as to energy security and affordability for households and businesses.”
A flow battery and a hydrogen electrolyser
Stanwell also announced on Monday that the coal plant will host an iron flow battery, a 1MW/10MWh system, to be installed at Stanwell Power Station as part of FEITH.
This is the second iron flow energy storage system being procured by the state from Energy Storage Industries – Asia Pacific. Earlier this month it was revealed that ESI will provide Energy Queensland with a 1MW/5MWh iron flow battery system to be installed on the grid in Hervey Bay.
Stanwell is also partnering with renewable hydrogen outfit Hysata to host a 5MW pilot project to test the commercialisation potential of the company’s electrolyser technology. Stanwell is providing $3 million for the project as well as the site and facilities for the field deployment of the electrolyser at FEITH.
For skills and training, Stanwell has signed an MoU with Central Queensland University to co-develop a program for existing trades, to further extend their expertise to renewables technologies, and to train up new apprentices for developing industries.
Central Queensland zones
Last month, the Queensland government revealed it would create 12 renewable energy zones in the state, to better coordinate the rollout and connection of all that new renewable energy generation, as well long duration energy storage and green hydrogen production.
In Central Queensland, a total of four REZs are proposed for development, including the Capricorn and Calliope REZs, which straddle the Stanwell coal plant.
Those two zones alone are expected to connect between 1,900 and 3,800MW of new installed renewable energy generation, creating up to 650 construction jobs, the government says.
