With opposition to large-scale renewables transmission projects being expressed in some rural and regional communities, solar’s ability to be coupled with agriculture could present opportunities for collaboration rather than conflict.

Horizon Power has introduced Smart Connect Solar in Carnarvon, Western Australia, to bolster grid stability and enable broader rooftop solar adoption. The program, set for state-wide expansion by 2024, promises enhanced energy management, consumer savings, and supports the region’s net-zero emissions goal.

South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas has announced the finalists for the 2023 Premier’s Excellence Awards. Amongst the finalists, the Department for Energy Mining South Australia has garnered recognition for its collaborative venture with Housing South Australia on the pioneering South Australia’s Virtual Power Plant initiative. 

A collaboration between the Clean Energy Council, KPMG and the First Nations Clean Energy Network has produced Australia’s first national guide on meaningful engagement and benefit sharing with the country’s oldest custodians on renewable energy.

Data analysis and clean technology research company, Next System reports 2024 is set to see a further doubling of public fast charging sites. Next System has found that the number electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Australia almost doubled in 2023.

Australia’s green hydrogen project pipeline continues to progress with a string of announcements in recent days, including from Abel Energy which has appointed Worley to assist with the front end engineering design for its Bell Bay Powerfuels project in Tasmania.

Transgrid has released details of its preferred route for the northern portion of the VNI West interconnector project that will connect the New South Wales and Victoria electricity grids.

The MidCoast Council in the New South Wales Hunter region has made the shift to solar to help power its water and sewer infrastructure as part of a broader commitment to powering all council operations with 100% renewable energy by 2040.

Rystad Energy has countered the International Energy Agency’s recent “reality check” for the green hydrogen sector, predicting the momentum behind renewable-based hydrogen will gather pace in 2024 as global renewable energy capacity continues to expand rapidly.

Western Australian motoring organisation RAC is trialling an electric roadside assistance van specifically designed to provide a mobile battery top-up service for electric vehicle drivers who run out of charge.