Global long-duration energy storage developer and operator Hydrostor has reached an important milestone in the development of its Silver City Energy Storage Centre in Broken Hill, after receiving grid connection approval from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and Transgrid.

Approval is a critical regulatory requirement for energy projects connecting to transmission infrastructure. It confirms the 200 MW / 1,600 MWh Silver City project meets Generator Performance Standards, following a rigorous assessment process involving extensive modelling, simulations and network studies.

It is a key step in securing all the necessary regulatory approvals to connect to the New South Wales transmission network as Hydrostor progresses the project through the late stages of development.

Silver City will use Hydrostor’s Advanced Compressed Air Energy Storage (A-CAES) technology to provide up to eight hours of long-duration energy storage, helping support a more reliable and resilient electricity system as increasing levels of renewable generation enter the grid.

The project will also play an important role in strengthening energy security for Broken Hill and the Far West, with 50 MW / 250 MWh of capacity reserved to provide backup power during planned or unplanned network outages.

Hydrostor Country Lead and Senior Vice President of Origination and Development, Martin Becker, said: “Grid connection approval is another significant step for Silver City and reflects the considerable work that has gone into progressing a critical piece of energy infrastructure for Broken Hill,” Mr Becker said. “We are proud that this is now one of the most advanced long duration energy storage projects available for New South Wales.”

“Long-duration energy storage will be essential as Australia brings more renewable generation online, providing reliable power when it is needed and strengthening the resilience of the grid, and we thank Transgrid for their support in helping us bring this solution closer to life.”

“While delivering a project as innovative and complex as Silver City presents challenges, the long-term benefits for Broken Hill and the Far West, including greater energy security, new investment, jobs and economic activity, make it a project worth getting right.”

The connection approval represents an important step forward for Silver City, including NSW Government planning approval, the Far West Project’s designation as a Priority Network Infrastructure Project to support improved reliability in the region, and Hydrostor’s existing Network Support Agreement with Transgrid.

Located adjacent to the Potosi Mine in Broken Hill, Silver City is expected to support more than 700 jobs during construction and up to 35 jobs during operation.

Once completed, Silver City will operate as a large-scale energy storage asset connected to the NSW grid, storing energy when it is abundant and dispatching it when needed. When fully charged, the project will have enough storage capacity to supply the equivalent of more than 80,000 homes for a day.

The project will support renewable energy generation, improve grid reliability and provide a long-term energy security solution for Broken Hill and the wider region.

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