Renewable Energy Storage Roadmap

The Challenge 

With variability of renewable energy presenting challenges to reliable energy supply for remote mine sites, there is a need to consider the range of available energy storage technologies and understand the required research and development to support wider implementation within the Western Australian mining sector. 

Proposed Solution 

A significant amount of energy storage will be required to facilitate a net zero future. The Roadmap demonstrates the need for development of a range of energy storage technologies to support the transition to net zero, with recommendations across a range of end use applications. 

Storage will be particularly important to support remote or off-grid applications, and/or in industrial processes that will continue to have mid-to-high heat requirements (such as manufacturing, metals and mineral refining). Case study analysis of remote mining and alumina processing applications provide initial insights into lowest cost solutions and recommended next steps for technology development. 

Proposed Benefits to WA 

Energy Utilisation is a priority theme under MRIWA’s Net Zero Emission Mining (NZEM) focus area, with energy storage a critical enabler for decarbonisation of Western Australian mining operations through greater integration of renewable energy. 

Understanding lowest cost energy storage technologies suited to the unique conditions of remote mining provides greater confidence to support deployment and trial new technologies. 

Key words: energy, storage, renewable, remote mining