Manilla Solar Phase 2 Hydrogen Energy Storage System (Archived)
Manilla Solar Phase 2 Hydrogen Energy Storage System
A hybrid battery storage system of lithium-ion batteries and a hydrogen storage medium is planned to be installed as Phase 2 of a solar PV development near the town of Manilla in rural New South Wales.
| Main proponents:
Manilla Community Renewable Energy Inc., Providence Asset Group |
Main end-use classification:
Microgrid/ regional applications |
Status:
Under development – refers to Phase 2 implementation of the overall project |
Estimated cost:
AUD$7.3 million for the whole project |
| Other involvement:
|
Production details:
Hydrogen production under evaluation |
Location:
New South Wales, Australia |
Announced funding:
AUD$3.5 million – New South Wales Government Regional Community Energy Fund |
Project description
The project proponents are developing a community-based solar farm and renewable energy storage facilities near the town of Manilla in rural New South Wales.
The project is to be located on a 15-hectare block just outside the small town of Manilla, 45 kilometres (km) northwest of the regional city of Tamworth in New South Wales (and within 3 km of the local electrical substation).
Manilla Community Renewable Energy Inc. (MCRE) was formed in 2013 by local investors with the aim of developing a community-owned renewable energy project. Providence Asset Group is a clean energy-oriented investment group which will help develop the Manilla Solar project. (Providence Asset Group is involved in a range of community renewable solar developments across New South Wales.)
The project is to be developed in Phases: Phase 1 involves a solar PV development (4.95 MW of solar PV electricity generation capacity) to be followed by progression to Phase 2, the implementation of a lithium-ion and (renewables-based) hydrogen production and energy storage system. The size of the storage system is under evaluation.
Hydrogen storage is considered complementary to lithium-ion battery storage, the former provides long term energy storage while lithium-ion provides short-term power and grid support benefits.
The solar farm would be connected to the electricity grid to allow access to the community as well as the wider energy market.
A Development Application focussed on Phase 1 was submitted in March 2020. The Application was approved by the Northern Regional Planning Panel in December 2020. A storage Development Application is to be included as part of Phase 2.
‘Construction activities for Phase 1 are expected to start in the first part of 2023. Phase 2 may move to implementation in 2023.
Milestones
March 2020: The New South Wales Government announces a grant of AUD$3.5 million (through the Regional Community Energy Fund) to support the project.
December 2020: The Northern Regional Planning Panel approves the Development Application for the Manilla Solar project.
Archive note: While the overall Manilla solar and storage project is planned to progress in two phases as described above, elements of each have undergone restructuring, and in particular from a HyResource perspective, there is uncertainty as to how the storage phase may progress. In consultation with the project, it was thought that transfer of the project to the Archived list was more representative of the hydrogen-related status of the project as of July 2023. The overall project would continue to be monitored and the Phase 2 storage system would be re-transferred to the Active list should developments warrant.
Updated: July 2023