GMB, the union for energy workers, has welcomed as a
“great step forward” the 100MW Tesla lithium storage device,
built near Jamestown in South Australia, which is due to go
online for the first time on Friday. [1]
The battery was built in response to a series of
power outages across Australia earlier this year due to their
transmission systems being unable to manage the amount of power
needing to be moved from one part of the country to another at
times of peak demand. [2]
GMB believes that the UK could learn from Australia
ahead of the world’s biggest battery going online.
[3]
GMB says the battery is essential new technology for
the decarbonisation of energy but cautions that in a country as
densely populated as the UK, government must ensure a balanced
mix of renewable energy, gas and nuclear power stations if
continuity of supply is to be guaranteed.
Justin Bowden GMB National Secretary,
said:
"Australia was rocked by a series of power outages
earlier this year because their transmission systems are not able
to cope with the scale of power that has to be moved from one
part of the country to another when renewable sources are not
generating supplies at times of peak demand in the areas the
renewable sources are located.
"The new battery storage facility at Jamestown in
South Australia will help address this
problem.
“Progress on battery storage is another vital step
along the decarbonisation road but in the densely populated UK we
need a balanced mix of renewable energy, gas and nuclear power
stations if we are too ensure continuity of supply.
"GMB remains concerned about possible power supply
shortages across the UK at times of peak demand as fossil fuels
are phased out but before new nuclear power stations are online."
[3]
END
Notes to editors:
[1] http://www.smh.com.au/business/energy/tesla-to-switch-on-sa-mega-lithium-battery-on-friday-hitting-musks-deadline-20171129-gzv8qo.html
http://reneweconomy.com.au/tesla-big-battery-worlds-biggest-charges-up-for-first-time-41761/
[2] www.news.com.au/technology/environment/why-south-australias-blackouts-are-a-problem-for-us-all/news-story/bc3bbc8be17d80844bc05ab7f5760d56
[3] Inquiries Needed Following Australian Power
Cuts
Monday, February 13, 2017
There have been at least 4 major power outages in
several states in Australia over the last 5 months impacting
millions of customers says GMB.
Read more: http://www.gmb.org.uk/newsroom/australian-power-cuts
