{"id":68580,"date":"2022-12-08T07:15:45","date_gmt":"2022-12-07T20:45:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/?p=68580"},"modified":"2022-12-08T07:15:45","modified_gmt":"2022-12-07T20:45:45","slug":"pumped-hydro-walpole-mb2745","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/pumped-hydro-walpole-mb2745\/","title":{"rendered":"Walpole Mini Pumped Hydro Microgrid Project Excitement Builds"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-68581\" src=\"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/walpole-pumped-hydro.jpg\" alt=\"Walpole pumped hydro project\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/walpole-pumped-hydro.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/walpole-pumped-hydro-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/walpole-pumped-hydro-1024x538.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/walpole-pumped-hydro-768x403.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Completion of a renewables powered pumped-hydro microgrid project is being eagerly anticipated by the residents of Walpole in Western Australia.<!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Walpole is a small town in the south-western region of the state, situated approximately 430 kilometres from Perth and 66 kilometres from Denmark. While small in population (~500), it&#8217;s a bustling agricultural hub and welcomes many tourists.<\/p>\n<p>But Walpole experiences ongoing electricity quality and reliability issues. A 125-kilometre long feeder line into the town is regularly impacted by fallen branches, storms and bushfires. Blackouts are common in the Walpole area, some of which can last for days.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this year, a renewables-based pumped-hydro project that will reduce mains grid supply interruptions in the town by an estimated 80% won $2 million in support under the McGowan Government&#8217;s Clean Energy Future Fund.<\/p>\n<h2>How Pumped-Up Walpole Will Work<\/h2>\n<p>Two connected dams are being built on a farm near the town, one set high and the other lower. Solar panels and batteries will provide the power to pump water from the lower dam to the higher one when surplus electricity is available. During periods of high electricity demand or in the case of mains grid supply interruption, water will be released from the higher dam to pass through a turbine that will generate electricity.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-68582\" src=\"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/how-pumped-hydro-works.png\" alt=\"How pumped hydro works\" width=\"1070\" height=\"561\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/how-pumped-hydro-works.png 1070w, https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/how-pumped-hydro-works-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/how-pumped-hydro-works-1024x537.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/how-pumped-hydro-works-768x403.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1070px) 100vw, 1070px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The dam area required for the project is only around two hectares. Walpole&#8217;s average load is 400kW, but the maximum output of the system will be 1,500 kW. When fully &#8220;charged&#8221;, it will be able to supply Walpole for up to two days.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s not clear whether extra solar power capacity is being installed for the project. In terms of currently existing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/location\/walpole-6398-wa\/\">solar panels in Walpole<\/a>, more than 98 small-scale systems (&lt;100kW) with a collective capacity of around 501 kW had been installed in the town&#8217;s postcode area as at October 31, 2022 &#8211; and there may be some larger systems around the place.<\/p>\n<p>Commenting on the project yesterday, WA Energy Minister <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au\/Pages\/McGowan\/2022\/12\/Celebrations-over-WAs-first-pumped-hydro-solution.aspx\"> Bill Johnston said<\/a>:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;The pumped hydro solution will reduce the number of outages in Walpole using green energy at no additional cost to businesses or the community while generating quality local jobs. This project plays an important role in our clean energy future, supports the increasing rise of renewables, and assists in balancing power demand and supply.&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>While Minister Johnston declared the official start of construction yesterday, works appear to have been under way for a while now. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernpower.com.au\/our-energy-evolution\/projects-and-trials\/walpole-mini-pumped-hydro\">Pumped Up Walpole project page<\/a> timeline indicates lower dam earthworks may have commenced in August. Works on the upper dam and pipe installation connecting the two dams will be completed next year. All going to plan, work should be completed and the generator connected by around June 2023.<\/p>\n<h2>More Pumped Hydro Microgrid Projects In The Pipeline<\/h2>\n<p>Pumped Up Walpole is a collaborative project between Power Research and Development (PRD) and Western Power. PRD Director Colin Stonehouse says the company has commenced planning for other pumped hydro renewable microgrids for fringe-of-grid towns in Western Australia.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;Of around 30 well-suited towns we are looking at so far, our aspiration is to have five ready to proceed after Walpole,&#8221; he said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Completion of a renewables powered pumped-hydro microgrid project is being eagerly anticipated by the residents of Walpole in Western Australia.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":68581,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[678],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-68580","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-solar-battery-news","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.2 (Yoast SEO v27.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Walpole Mini Pumped Hydro Microgrid Project Excitement Builds<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Completion of a renewables powered pumped-hydro microgrid project is being eagerly anticipated by the residents of Walpole in WA.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/pumped-hydro-walpole-mb2745\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Walpole Mini Pumped Hydro Microgrid Project Excitement Builds\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Completion of a renewables powered pumped-hydro microgrid project is being eagerly anticipated by the residents of Walpole in WA.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/pumped-hydro-walpole-mb2745\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"SolarQuotes Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SolarQuotes\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-12-07T20:45:45+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/walpole-pumped-hydro.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"630\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Michael Bloch\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@solar_quotes\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@solar_quotes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/pumped-hydro-walpole-mb2745\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/pumped-hydro-walpole-mb2745\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Michael Bloch\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/66afd571aa00c2e442f0192ebac2f6f1\"},\"headline\":\"Walpole Mini Pumped Hydro Microgrid Project Excitement Builds\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-12-07T20:45:45+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/pumped-hydro-walpole-mb2745\/\"},\"wordCount\":522,\"commentCount\":1,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/pumped-hydro-walpole-mb2745\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/walpole-pumped-hydro.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"General Solar &amp; 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If you're not\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;General Solar &amp; Storage News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"General Solar &amp; Storage News","link":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/category\/solar-battery-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Pumped hydro energy storage","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/pumped-hydro-goat-hill.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/pumped-hydro-goat-hill.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/pumped-hydro-goat-hill.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/pumped-hydro-goat-hill.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/pumped-hydro-goat-hill.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":69038,"url":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/phoenix-pumped-hydro-mb2758\/","url_meta":{"origin":68580,"position":1},"title":"More Support For NSW Pumped Hydro Projects","author":"Michael Bloch","date":"December 20, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Another pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) project has received millions of dollars from the NSW Government to progress feasibility studies. To be situated at Burrendong Dam near Wellington in the Central Slopes region, the proposed Phoenix Pumped Hydro project feasibility phase is being supported with $7 million from the NSW\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;General Solar &amp; Storage News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"General Solar &amp; Storage News","link":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/category\/solar-battery-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Phoenix Pumped Hydro project","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/burrendong-phoenix-pumped-hydro.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/burrendong-phoenix-pumped-hydro.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/burrendong-phoenix-pumped-hydro.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/burrendong-phoenix-pumped-hydro.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/burrendong-phoenix-pumped-hydro.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":65918,"url":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/queensland-energy-jobs-mb2655\/","url_meta":{"origin":68580,"position":2},"title":"Queensland Pumping Up Renewable Energy Goals","author":"Michael Bloch","date":"September 29, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was pretty pumped about a \"bold clean energy future\" for Queensland yesterday - particularly concerning the role pumped hydro will play. Announcing the $62 billion Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, Premier Palaszczuk said it would mean cheaper, cleaner and secure energy for Queenslanders. So, What's In\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;General Solar &amp; Storage News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"General Solar &amp; Storage News","link":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/category\/solar-battery-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Annastacia Palaszczuk - Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/palaszczuk-energy-jobs.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/palaszczuk-energy-jobs.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/palaszczuk-energy-jobs.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/palaszczuk-energy-jobs.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/palaszczuk-energy-jobs.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":19122,"url":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/bolivar-power-plant-mb0460\/","url_meta":{"origin":68580,"position":3},"title":"SA Government Announces Site Of New State-Owned Power Plant","author":"Michael Bloch","date":"February 13, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"The Bolivar Waste Water Treatment Plant will become the new permanent home for South Australia's so far barely used turbine generators. Currently located at Lonsdale and Elizabeth, the generators have been in place since November last year, ready to provide emergency back-up power if needed over the summer months. Currently\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;General Solar &amp; Storage News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"General Solar &amp; Storage News","link":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/category\/solar-battery-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Bolivar Power Plant site","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/bolivar-power-plant.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/bolivar-power-plant.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/bolivar-power-plant.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/bolivar-power-plant.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":35718,"url":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/kalbarri-microgrid-renewables-mb1330\/","url_meta":{"origin":68580,"position":4},"title":"Kalbarri Microgrid Update","author":"Michael Bloch","date":"December 16, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"While the original target of 2019 has proven to be too optimistic, Western Power says a microgrid project in Western Australia's Mid-West region will be operational next year. Kalbarri is a coastal town with a population of around 1,560 situated approximately 590 kilometres north of Perth. It's a \"fringe-of-grid\" area,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;General Solar &amp; Storage News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"General Solar &amp; Storage News","link":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/category\/solar-battery-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Microgrid for Kalbarri, Western Australia","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/kalbarri-microgrid.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/kalbarri-microgrid.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/kalbarri-microgrid.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/kalbarri-microgrid.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/kalbarri-microgrid.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":29024,"url":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/pumped-hydro-anu-mb0988\/","url_meta":{"origin":68580,"position":5},"title":"Australia&#8217;s Pumped Hydro Prospects &#8220;Destroy&#8221; Wind And Solar Arguments","author":"Michael Bloch","date":"March 26, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Research out of ANU indicates pumped hydro storage projects already on the board are \"more than enough to back up the grid\". The more than 20 Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH) projects currently being assessed or built in five states would accelerate the nation's transition to an electricity generation system free\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;General Solar &amp; Storage News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"General Solar &amp; Storage News","link":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/category\/solar-battery-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH)","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/pumped-hyrdo-storage.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/pumped-hyrdo-storage.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/pumped-hyrdo-storage.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/pumped-hyrdo-storage.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/pumped-hyrdo-storage.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68580","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=68580"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68580\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":68585,"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68580\/revisions\/68585"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/68581"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=68580"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=68580"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=68580"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}