Solar Trust Centre | Solar and Renewable Energy News

Pumped Hydro Could Produce Enough Clean Energy to Power Australia

Written by Solar Trust Centre Team | Sep 22, 2017 12:24:34 PM

According to analysis at the Australian National University, Australia can store up to 1,000 times more renewable energy than the country needs. Andrew Blakers, ANU engineering professor, has found 22,000 possible locations nationwide for pumped hydro to make this a reality as reported by ABC News. 

The professor states it would take 20 years for this infrastructure to provide 100% renewable power to Australia.

Key points for the pumped-hydro study include:

  • Grants and other investments in renewables will go up for hydro storage.
  • There are 22,000 perfect locations for the pumped hydro sites within Australia.
  • Australian researchers stated that the country could transition to 100% renewable energy in 20 years with the hydro storage plan.
  • New South Wales has the greatest concentration of pumped hydro sites with a potential to build 29,000 gigawatt-hours across 8,000 sites.

Click here to read the full story on ABC News