As Synergy prepares to switch on its first big battery, the state-owned utility has revealed it plans to build a new 200 MW/800 MWh battery energy storage system at Kwinana to support the state’s main grid and enable the uptake of more renewables in Western Australia.

Australian battery designer and manufacturer PowerPlus Energy will look to accelerate its growth plans after technology investment company PPK Group announced plans to acquire a large stake in the company.

Canada-headquartered Solmax will seek to build its presence in the Australian utility scale solar sector having developed a reflective membrane which it claims can increase the energy yield of a bifacial PV project by between 5% and 20%, depending on the plant configuration.

Australian battery company Gelion Technologies has revealed its ambition to “build the world’s best battery” after acquiring an intellectual property portfolio of more than 450 lithium sulfur and silicon anode patents.

The largest solar farm yet developed in New South Wales has been officially opened with clean energy company ACEN Australia confirming the 400 MW first stage of its planned 720 MW New England Solar Farm is now progressing through the commissioning process.

Rooftop solar households in regional Queensland are set to receive almost 40% more for the PV-generated electricity they send back to the grid after the state’s pricing regulator proposed an increase to the feed-in tariff.

South Australia’s electricity transmission network owner ElectraNet has completed an estimated $300 million (USD 199 million) upgrade to the Eyre Peninsula transmission link, paving the way for more wind, solar and battery storage opportunities to connect to the grid in the region.

The sale of renewable energy developer Sun Cable, which is aiming to deliver the world’s biggest intercontinental solar and storage project in northern Australia, has received initial takeover offers from multiple investors, including prospective buyers that aren’t existing shareholders in the project.

The Victorian government will make almost $1 million (USD 670,000) in clean energy grants available to traditional owner corporations to deliver renewable energy projects – including solar generation facilities – that will provide economic and social benefits for Aboriginal communities throughout the state.

South Australian electricity distributor SA Power Networks has announced it will work with retailers AGL and Simply Energy to explore opportunities to enable the orchestration of existing rooftop solar systems, an innovation that is expected to support the increased uptake of renewables and help the stability of the grid.