Bella Peacock
Low-cost, ‘graphene-enhanced’ perovskite solar cells to be produced in funded Wagga Wagga project
Two Australian companies working in solar R&D have been awarded over $2 million (USD 1.3 million) for a project seeking to commercialise ultra-low-cost, flexible perovskite solar cell fabrication. The solar cells will be “graphene-enhanced” and are to be produced in Halocell’s Wagga Wagga plant in NSW.
New research finds Australia’s lithium deposits likely extend across eastern states
New research from the University of Sydney pinpointing the concentration and distribution of lithium in Australian soils has found elevated levels in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.
NSW government starts talks to extend life of Australia’s largest coal plant, Eraring
The New South Wales (NSW) government will now “start the conversation” with Origin Energy, owner of the Eraring power station, to keep the coal plant open beyond its scheduled retirement in August 2025.
Storage tender for 2.4 GWh announced for Victoria and SA
A tender for 600 MW / 2.4 GWh of energy storage in Victoria and South Australia has been announced as part of the new national Capacity Investment Scheme – essentially a project underwriting program coordinated by the federal government.
Three major, Indigenous-led solar and storage projects announced for the NT in $1 billion investment plan
Desert Springs Octopus has announced three solar and storage projects between 150 MW and 10 MW for the Northern Territory which it will pursue in partnership with First Nations groups, the Larrakia Nation and Jawoyn Association.
Smart meter reforms including free data access and accelerated rollout to be effected by AEMC
Smart meter reform recommendations have been handed down by the Australian Energy Market Commission, which advised accelerating the national rollout and introducing a mandate for customers to have free access to their real-time data. Reaching 100% penetration by 2030 would provide $507 million (USD 328 million) net benefit value to the NEM, the Commission’s review found.
Jaguar building large-scale storage system with second-life EV batteries
Jaguar Land Rover and Wykes Engineering are building a 2.5 MWh storage system with electric-vehicle batteries taken from Jaguar I-PACE cars. The large-scale system will store wind and solar at an undisclosed location in the United Kingdom.
Victoria launches new neighbourhood battery scheme, announces funding winners
The Victorian government has launched the first funding round of its new neighbourhood battery program and simultaneously announced the winners, mostly “business cases”, from its preexisting scheme.
Australia’s R&D spend continues to shrink despite global clean energy race intensifying
Australia continues to rank poorly for investment in science and research, spending just 1.68% of its GDP – well below the OECD average. This underinvestment is a growing problem for the clean energy industry, with fellow nations actively poaching innovations to capture future manufacturing markets.
Four Queensland towns funded to switch from diesel to solar and batteries
Four western Queensland communities powered by state-owned diesel generators are set to switch to solar and batteries, including Boulia, Burketown, Doomadgee and Windorah.
