Australian energy storage specialist 1414 Degrees has successfully commissioned a demonstration module featuring its thermal energy storage technology that harnesses the high latent heat properties of silicon to provide a potential zero-carbon solution for use in high-temperature industries.

The United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, has committed $1.86 million (USD 1.2 million) to support the development of a solar-powered microgrid in Papua New Guinea’s Central province.

New South Wales hydrogen technology company Hysata will install a 5 MW electrolyser unit adjacent to the coal-fired Stanwell Power Station in Queensland as part of a commercial-scale demonstration of its next generation tech.

Australia’s largest transmission network operator Transgrid has struck a deal with Chinese manufacturer ZTT International for the delivery of more than 17,500 kilometres of high-voltage conductors as it looks shore up supplies of key electrical equipment needed to deliver critical transmission projects.

The Australian Energy Market Commission has proposed new rules that would require developers planning major transmission projects to consult with communities and affected stakeholders earlier in the projects’ development.

South Australia’s Flinders University has launched a trial that will test bidirectional vehicle-to-grid charging technology that allows electric vehicles to either be recharged or used as batteries to provide back-up power to the grid.

Australian-headquartered resources giant Rio Tinto has announced it will build the largest solar power plant in Canada’s northwest territories to supply electricity to its Diavik Diamond Mine located about 200 kilometres below the Arctic Circle.

Western Australia battery tech company Altech Batteries has raised $13.3 million (USD 8.7 million) to advance the development and commercialisation of its sodium-chloride solid state battery project and to progress construction of a silumina anodes battery materials plant in Germany.

South Australia’s planned transition to a zero-emissions public transport system has reached a major milestone with the electrification of the passenger rail line between Adelaide’s CBD and Gawler in the north now complete.

With strong government backing; a systems approach to development that views each component of hydrogen production and delivery as a whole; and growing demand, Australia could be on track for a commercially viable green hydrogen industry by 2030.