Wind and solar have met a stunning 86.9 per cent share of local demand in the South Australia grid over the month of October, smashing previous records and setting a new global benchmark for variable renewable energy in a major grid. (Variable renewable energy excludes hydro). Earlier this week, the main transmission company in the state, ElectraNet, predicted that the state will reach “net” 100 per cent renewables – wind and solar – by 2026/27, which would make it the first grid in the world to reach that milestone.
South Australia has been setting numerous records over the last few months – spring is the “records” season for renewables because of good conditions and mild weather which moderates demand – including a new benchmark of 264 per cent “available” renewables last month. The measure of “available” renewables combines the amount actually dispatched and the amount curtailed because of negative prices or a lack of capacity on transmission links.
The South Australian government says using energy which is currently curtailed points to a huge opportunity to grow green industries within the state, such as green iron, and it is kicking off the process with a state-funded invested in a 250 MW hydrogen electrolyser and a 200 MW hydrogen power plant.
“South Australia has demonstrated that operating at 100% instantaneous variable renewable energy is achievable,” ElectraNet says in its planning document. “We will continue to balance affordability with reliability as we transition to a 100% renewable grid.”
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Wind and solar have met a stunning 86.9 per cent share of local demand in the South Australia grid over the month of October, smashing previous records and setting a new global benchmark for variable renewable energy in a major grid. (Variable renewable energy excludes hydro). Earlier this week, the main transmission company in the state, ElectraNet, predicted that the state will reach “net” 100 per cent renewables – wind and solar – by 2026/27, which would make it the first grid in the world to reach that milestone.
South Australia has been setting numerous records over the last few months – spring is the “records” season for renewables because of good conditions and mild weather which moderates demand – including a new benchmark of 264 per cent “available” renewables last month. The measure of “available” renewables combines the amount actually dispatched and the amount curtailed because of negative prices or a lack of capacity on transmission links.
The South Australian government says using energy which is currently curtailed points to a huge opportunity to grow green industries within the state, such as green iron, and it is kicking off the process with a state-funded invested in a 250 MW hydrogen electrolyser and a 200 MW hydrogen power plant.
“South Australia has demonstrated that operating at 100% instantaneous variable renewable energy is achievable,” ElectraNet says in its planning document. “We will continue to balance affordability with reliability as we transition to a 100% renewable grid.”