SA: Australia's energy storage hot spot

South Australia is the leading state for renewables and energy storage, thanks to major projects such as the the world’s largest virtual power plant. The impact of this project, as well as storage models, trends and technologies, will be explored at the fifth annual Australian Energy Storage Conference and Exhibition (AES 2018), to be held from 23–24 May in Adelaide.

Australia’s energy industry is at a tipping point, with the sector transitioning to low-carbon energy systems and looking for energy sources that are reliable, affordable and clean. Energy storage — from batteries and solar thermal to pumped hydro — has become a big part of this conversation, with South Australia leading the way.

The South Australian Government has teamed up with Elon Musk to build the world’s largest virtual power plant. The $800 million project will involve the rollout of at least 50,000 home solar systems that, when combined, will create a virtual power plant that generates 250 MW of electricity. 

Given South Australia’s position at the global forefront of renewable energy and storage, Adelaide is the perfect location to discuss this in more detail at AES 2018. The event will include presentations by industry experts, as well as a free exhibition featuring companies whose technologies are providing energy storage solutions at the residential, commercial and grid levels. This year’s conference theme is ‘Storing Energy for a Sustainable Future’ and will look at everything under the energy storage umbrella. Sanjeev Gupta, chairman of GFG Alliance and majority shareholder of SIMEC Zen Energy, who has recently become a major player, and investor, in Australia’s energy industry, will deliver the keynote presentation. The event will also include presentations from industry experts at Amber Kinetics, Tesla, the South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy, Redflow Limited and BVES, among many others.

This year’s event will include expanded workshops, an ‘Ask the Expert’ industry session, exhibition zones showcasing emerging technologies and site tours which will transport delegates to selected commercial and utility energy storage companies.

Registrations for AES 2018 are now open and the early-bird conference prices end on Tuesday, 10 April. To register for the conference or the free exhibition, visit www.australianenergystorage.com.au/register.