"Battery of the Nation" -The Marinus Link

[Sparty]

The Marinus Link is a proposed undersea and underground electricity interconnector between Tasmania and mainland Australia (Victoria).

It's a key part of Tasmania's "Battery of the Nation" initiative, which aims to leverage Tasmania's hydroelectric resources to support Australia's renewable energy transition.

The core elements I'm confident about sharing include:

The project involves two 750MW capacity undersea cables crossing Bass Strait

It's designed to allow Tasmania to export renewable energy to mainland Australia
and help stabilize the National Electricity Market

The project is backed by both the Tasmanian and Federal governments

It works in conjunction with Tasmania's extensive hydroelectric system, which can act as a giant battery by storing energy through pumped hydro

The project aims to support Victoria's transition away from coal power while providing Tasmania with energy security and economic benefits.

The key concept is using Tasmania's extensive hydroelectric system as a massive battery storage system. Here's how it works:

Excess Energy Storage:

When mainland Australia has excess renewable energy (like during peak solar/wind periods), that power can be sent to Tasmania via Marinus Link

This excess energy is used to pump water uphill into Tasmania's elevated storage lakes
Essentially, the energy is stored as gravitational potential energy in the water
This process is called "pumped hydro storage"


Energy Return Process:

When mainland demand is high (or renewable generation is low), Tasmania can release the stored water

The water flows down through hydroelectric turbines, generating electricity

This electricity is then sent back to the mainland via Marinus Link

This is particularly valuable during peak demand periods or when solar/wind generation is low


Strategic Advantages:

Tasmania's hydroelectric system can respond very quickly to mainland needs

The deep storage capacity means energy can be stored for weeks or months

Unlike batteries, hydro storage doesn't degrade over time

The system can provide both energy storage and grid stability services

Infrastructure Requirements:

Existing hydro infrastructure can be utilized
New pumped hydro facilities are being developed
Marinus Link provides the crucial connection to make this "battery" accessible to the mainland
The proposed 1500MW capacity (two 750MW cables) allows for significant energy transfer.

Read more:
https://www.marinuslink.com.au/benefits/
https://www.marinuslink.com.au/construction-methods/

[Sparty]

The key concept is using Tasmania's extensive hydroelectric system as a massive battery storage system. Here's how it works:

Excess Energy Storage:


When mainland Australia has excess renewable energy (like during peak solar/wind periods), that power can be sent to Tasmania via Marinus Link
This excess energy is used to pump water uphill into Tasmania's elevated storage lakes
Essentially, the energy is stored as gravitational potential energy in the water
This process is called "pumped hydro storage"


Energy Return Process:


When mainland demand is high (or renewable generation is low), Tasmania can release the stored water
The water flows down through hydroelectric turbines, generating electricity
This electricity is then sent back to the mainland via Marinus Link
This is particularly valuable during peak demand periods or when solar/wind generation is low


Strategic Advantages:


Tasmania's hydroelectric system can respond very quickly to mainland needs
The deep storage capacity means energy can be stored for weeks or months
Unlike batteries, hydro storage doesn't degrade over time
The system can provide both energy storage and grid stability services


Infrastructure Requirements:


Existing hydro infrastructure can be utilized
New pumped hydro facilities are being developed
Marinus Link provides the crucial connection to make this "battery" accessible to the mainland
The proposed 1500MW capacity (two 750MW cables) allows for significant energy transfer