Construction begins on WA’s first pumped hydro renewable microgrid

Work has begun on Western Australia’s first pumped hydro facility, a 1.5MW/30MWh project which will dramatically improve reliability for homes and businesses in the south of the state.

The facility is being developed by WA-based engineering company Power Research and Development (PRD) and Western Power. The project will use two dams being built on farming property near Walpole to store 30MWh of energy and form the basis of a local micro-grid.

Pumped hydro works by pumping water uphill from one reservoir to another using renewable power generated at times of excess and cheaper energy. During periods of high energy demand, water is released downhill from the upper dam to the lower, through a hydro generation unit to produce electricity.

Simply put, this stores cheaper renewable electricity to be used when costs and demand are higher.

This particular facility will pump water uphill with solar and batteries, and the combined microgrid will provide power to over 500 local customers. This means that, even if there is a disruption on the network, the microgrid can work independently, ensuring the Walpole community remains powered.

Construction of the microgrid is expected to be completed and operational in the second half of 2023.

“Walpole is at the end of a 125-kilometre-long feeder line that is exposed to disruptive elements such as vegetation and animals, storms, lightning and bushfires,” said Bill Johnston, WA’s energy minister.

“The pumped hydro solution will reduce the number of outages in Walpole using green energy at no additional cost to businesses or the community while generating quality local jobs.

“This project plays an important role in our clean energy future, supports the increasing rise of renewables, and assists in balancing power demand and supply.”