Australia's first CO2-powered battery planned for former coal town

Victoria, Australia is set to receive its first compressed carbon dioxide battery storage system, a significant step in the state's renewable energy transition. The 20-megawatt facility will be built in the Latrobe Valley, a region historically reliant on coal power, adjacent to the now-closed Hazelwood power station.

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This ia a very important next step in the build-out of the technologies that the SEC is renowned for, and will deliver on behalf of the Victorian people, especially here in the Gippsland region near Morwell.

This innovative battery technology, a first for Australia, will utilize compressed carbon dioxide from the Longford gas plant. Unlike lithium-ion batteries, this system can store renewable energy generated during the day for use in the grid overnight. The stored carbon dioxide, a non-flammable and non-toxic gas, will be compressed into liquid form and can be expanded when energy is needed. The reserve will only require refilling once in the battery's 30-year lifespan.

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We know that we're going to need, in Victoria, more long-duration storage technologies to support the transition to 95 per cent renewable electricity by 2035.

Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio highlighted the battery's role in the broader 143-hectare renewable energy hub. She emphasized its importance in supporting Victoria's goal of achieving 95% renewable electricity by 2035 and its potential to reduce power prices. The project is expected to create 66 jobs in the region, with consultation work to commence in the coming years. The government has committed a $4.6 billion investment to jobs in the Latrobe Gippsland area.

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Then that energy is basically stored as a liquid, and it can be expanded when you need the energy.