World's biggest battery switch on is 'great step forward'
This 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 says GMB
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]
ENDS
Contact: Justin Bowden on 07710 631351 or GMB Press Office on 07958 156846 or press.office@gmb.org.uk
Notes to editors:
http://reneweconomy.com.au/tesla-big-battery-worlds-biggest-charges-up-for-first-time-41761/
[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
