NT sets net-zero climate target, joining other states and territories in ‘de facto national net-zero target’
The Northern Territory Government has released its Climate Change Response, a directive officially adopting a 2050 net-zero emissions target and 50% renewable energy by 2030 target. The Climate Council has welcomed the response, saying that the NT now joins the rest of Australia’s states and territories in effectively forming a “de facto national net-zero target”.
Western Power delivers first community SPS
The Nowanup property is a keystone in south-west Western Australia’s biodiversity regeneration, and now, with the installation of a stand-alone power system (SPS) from Western Power, the spur of the line property is no longer subject to routine outages from storm and bushfire interruptions. With self-sufficiency, Curtin University can now expand its Bush Campus into the property to better facilitate Noongar education.
AEMC gives energy businesses extra three months breathing space before major market reform
The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) has decided to give energy businesses an extra three months to prepare the IT overhaul necessary for the five-minute settlement market reform. The decision comes in response to concerns that the unprecedented impacts of Covid-19 necessitated extra breathing space.
Q Cells commits to three-year, €125m German R&D spend
The Korean company has committed to invest in solar innovation in Germany at a time when the EU and member states are desperately trying to kick-start the Covid-19 recovery.
Natron Energy, developer of sodium-ion batteries, raises USD35M as investment in storage surges
The startup is building a battery using Prussian blue analogue electrodes and a sodium-ion electrolyte. Investors include ABB Technology Ventures, NanoDimension Capital, Volta Energy Technologies, Chevron, Khosla Ventures, and Prelude Ventures.
QLD attracts United Green “majority” stake investment in Rodds Bay Solar Farm despite “wet blanket” federal policy
A “majority” stake of the 300 MW shovel-ready Rodds Bay Solar Farm in Queensland has been purchased by UK investment firm United Green. The announcement comes as state government energy ministers come together to reinforce their renewable energy ambitions in this time of economic recovery, despite “the difficulty” of the federal policy vacuum.
Study recommends developing ‘made-in-WA batteries’
A key lithium-ion battery cathode material could be produced in Western Australia, a Queensland University of Technology (QUT) feasibility study has found. The study, released by the WA state government today, investigated whether superior nickel-rich nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) can be produced cost effectively and sustainably in the state in which nine of the ten mineral elements required for lithium-ion battery cells are present.
REVS to power V2G in Canberra
ARENA is putting $2.4 million into a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) trial in the ACT, which is looking to demonstrate the ability of EVs to provide grid ancillary services. The consortium of research and industry project proponents hope to show how EVs can help regulate grid function and provide a revenue stream for electric-fleet owners.
New research warns of significant gap to be bridged from NSW’s retiring coal
New research from Cornwall Insight Australia suggests that the transition to renewable energies in New South Wales needs to pick up the pace quick-smart if it is going to cover the soon-to-be-revealed gap made by retiring coal generators.
No task too tough, Epho to airlift solar panels onto Woolworths headquarters
Woolworths is looking to further reduce its emissions by installing a 572 kW solar system atop its massive
Norwest Support Office in Bella Vista. However, the unique circumstances of the facility mean that solar developer Epho Commercial Solar is going to airlift the panels and system components onto the rooftop with a helicopter.
