2024

With 2023, the hottest year on record, behind us, the COP28 global assembly addressing climate change took place in Dubai. Faced with a sobering reality that a proportion of the world’s net zero targets are progressing at a glacial pace, world leaders discussed how to accelerate our collective actions to mitigate climate change.

Australian research has found EV charging facilities offered free using optimised solar systems can lower grid demand in the evening, with implications for broader nation-wide efficiencies.

With the COP28 climate summit in Dubai resulting in a pledge of at least 11 TW of renewables generation capacity by 2030, Bruce Douglas, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Global Renewables Alliance (GRA), examines the outcomes of the conference and their likely impact on the solar industry.

Tweed Shire Council says its grid electricity consumption has dropped by 11% last year because of improved energy efficiency and additional solar projects. Together, both contributed to an overall emissions reduction of 19%.

Six electricity transmission towers in Victoria collapsed on Tuesday, Feb. 13. As a result, there were “widespread power outages” and extremely high power prices – with coal-fired generator Loy Yang A forced to shut down and disconnect from the grid.

Data center specialist AirTrunk has signed a virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) under which it will procure energy from a 29.99 MW solar farm that ib vogt is now developing. Construction on the project is set to begin later this year.

During a state visit with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra on Feb 8, Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister James Marape welcomed Australia’s recent completion of the construction of two new solar farms in West Sepik and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

Renewable energy, Singapore-based infrastructure developer Equis Australia and the State Electricity Commission (SEC) for Victoria have closed landmark $400 million (USD261 million) in debt financing for the construction of Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub’s 200 MW/800 MWh A3 battery energy storage system (BESS).

LG has developed two versions of its new enblock E storage system, each with usable energy capacities of 12.4 kWh and 15.5 kWh. It says the two models, sized at 451 mm x 330 mm, can be easily deployed in small spaces.

The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) has called for the establishment of a $2 billion (USD1.3 billion) national fund to retrofit and electrify low-income homes with solar, to reduce energy bills, minimise poverty, and make progress towards Australia’s emissions reduction targets.