With the transformation of Australia’s power system accelerating, the Australian Energy Market Commission has unveiled a raft of reforms to improve system strength in the national grid, predicting the changes will smooth the way for new energy resources including large-solar PV and batteries to connect to the grid.

Australian clean energy investment firm Providence Asset Group will roll out hydrogen-lithium battery technology at its solar farms after partnering with the Commonwealth Bank to fund a portfolio of 10 community-based solar plants in regional Victoria as part of the group’s larger ambitions to develop up to 40 ~5 MW solar farms across the eastern states.

Sydney-based prefabricated solar array manufacturer 5B has taken the wraps off a new generation of its re-deployable modular Maverick solar technology which it says is not only quicker and easier to install than the previous model but 30% more powerful.

Singapore-based Sun Cable has unveiled a powerhouse line-up of international engineering and advisory companies to help it deliver the world’s biggest solar PV and battery energy storage project being developed in Australia’s remote far north.

The first commercial application of Australian hydrogen research and development company Star Scientific’s award-winning Hydrogen Energy Release Optimiser technology has been given the green light with the company announcing it has partnered with manufacturing network Central Coast Industry Connect to establish a new industry-led hydrogen cluster on the New South Wales Central Coast.

Italy-headquartered energy storage specialist New Horizons Ahead has been awarded the contract to build a 100 MW/200 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) at the site of the decommissioned Kwinana Power Station near Perth in Western Australia.

In a joint energy power purchasing initiative tipped to deliver savings of up to $5 million, more than 50 Western Australian local government associations are set to partner on a renewable power purchase agreement which will see them using 100% renewable energy.

Western Australia grid operator Western Power is expanding its microgrid strategy as it aims to improve the resilience and reliability of electricity supply in regional communities, calling for registrations of interest to develop a renewables-based disconnected microgrid capable of powering a small rural town.

Australian oil and gas giant Woodside is continuing its exploration of renewable energy, partnering with United States-based concentrated solar power entity Heliogen to build a 5 MW solar thermal demonstration plant in California which is expected to be capable of delivering clean energy with nearly 24/7 availability.

The world’s biggest solar PV and storage project has suffered a setback after a Singapore electricity retailer which had lined up to be a foundation customer for the renewable energy generated by Australia’s $26 billion Sun Cable project announced it will cease operations amid a record-breaking spike in electricity prices.