Energy storage and generation, but what is the footprint?

By now you’ve probably heard comments that the proposed Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Project will be the biggest hydro facility in the world. While this is true for potential storage and generation, you may wondering if this also equates to the biggest surface area or footprint.   

The proposed Project may have the capacity to produce more energy than any other pumped hydro facility in the world, but it will not have the biggest footprint. In fact, when compared to other well-known dams across the Mackay region, the surface footprint of the proposed Project is relatively compact. 

Despite its compact size, the reliable renewable energy this proposed facility will be able to generate is unprecedented due to: 

• The 700m elevation and short tunnel lengths between the lower and upper reservoirs (approximately 5km compared to the Snowy 2.0 Scheme tunnels at 27 km).  
• The number of underground turbines (up to 16 in total) 
• The amount of water it will store and circulate to generate electricity on-demand when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing, compared to the surface footprint. 

Powered by excess energy in the grid generated from solar and wind which would otherwise not be used, the Project will have the capacity to store nearly the same amount of energy (120,000MWH) as is collectively used across Queensland each day (about 150,000MWH). Pumped hydro can provide the deep storage capability required for Queensland’s renewable energy system.  

The graphic below illustrates the energy storage capacity of the proposed Pioneer-Burdekin Project to other pumped hydro and battery storage projects.

Fist published 13 May 2024.