David Carroll
CEC report reveals record year for renewables but new investment slows
Australia’s clean energy industry continued its record-breaking run in 2021 with the wind, solar PV and energy storage sectors steering renewables to an unprecedented 32.5% share of the electricity market but the Clean Energy Council has warned of clouds on the horizon with investment commitments in new large-scale projects slowing.
MSquare Energy’s solar modules de-listed by CEC
MSquare Energy’s ambition to become Australia’s largest solar PV panel manufacturer has been dealt a blow with the Clean Energy Council confirming it has delisted the Sydney-based outfit’s entire module range.
Chinchilla battery to charge up Queensland’s renewable energy revolution
Queensland government-owned utility CS Energy has announced plans to build a 100MW/200MWh battery near Chinchilla on the Western Downs with the state government identifying large-scale energy storage as fundamental in the state’s energy transition.
Retail giants unite to secure renewable power deal with CleanCo
Retail giants Kmart, Bunnings, Target and Officeworks have signed a long-term power purchase agreement with Queensland government-owned generator CleanCo to provide the retailers with 100% renewable electricity at their sites across the state.
Australia leads world as solar sets global generation record
A new report published by U.K.-based energy think tank Ember shows that solar PV was the world’s fastest rising source of electricity generation in 2021 and Australia leads the world in its uptake with solar generating 12% of the nation’s electricity last year.
Territory government ramps up support for 20GW solar and battery project
The world’s largest solar PV and battery energy storage project has locked in renewed political support with the Northern Territory government confirming it will introduce special legislation into parliament this week that will facilitate the development of the giga-scale Australia-Asia PowerLink project.
UQ researchers promise lifespan boost for lithium-ion batteries
Researchers from The University of Queensland have developed a new nanotechnology that they say more than doubles the lifespan of high-voltage lithium-ion batteries, paving the way for higher density and lower-cost energy storage solutions.
State election day chills; South Australia hit $9,934/MWh on 19 March
South Australia had a notable wind generation rate during the final quarter of 2021 with ~569MW of average wind generation, accounting for ~57% of total average generation of the state and it is still going strong in this quarter.
NSW outlines plans for 2.5GW renewable energy zone in state’s southwest
The New South Wales Government has outlined plans for another coordinated renewable energy zone which will deliver at least 2.5GW of new network capacity as the state’s transitions from fossil fuels towards renewable power accelerates.
Rise of the Machines – the increasing role of auto-bidding and self-forecasting in the modern-day NEM
The National Electricity Market has always been a place of big data and high levels of automation, and the recent developments in the trading space are the next stage of that maturing.
