David Carroll
Economic difficulties pose threat to decarbonisation budgets
We know cost-of-living pressures force us to make decisions about the very short-term. Questions such as “how am I going to get dinner?” or “how am I going to pay my next bill”? takes precedence over the luxury of long-term strategic planning and investment.
Big batteries grab major share of new project additions
Battery projects continue to dominate Australia’s large-scale clean energy build-out with 6 GW of new capacity added to the nation’s renewables project pipeline last month, almost 4 GW more than the combined capacity of new solar and wind added during the same period.
ENA pushes for local grid to play bigger role in energy transition
New modelling suggests that changing the way we use Australia’s existing electricity sub-transmission and distribution grid could unlock 5 GW of additional rooftop solar, an extra 7 GW of front-of-meter generation, and 5 GW of additional distribution-connected battery energy storage by 2030.
FRV reaches financial close on first Australia standalone battery project
Fotowatio Renewable Ventures Australia says it has begun construction on its first standalone battery energy storage system in the country after reaching financial close on the project.
Perth flow battery maker signs deal to build vanadium plant in South Korea
Western Australian vanadium flow battery company Avess Energy has inked a deal to build a 500-tonne electrolyte manufacturing plant in South Korea as part of plans to strengthen its position in the global energy storage market.
TagEnergy lands council approval for 600 MWh Queensland battery
French-backed renewables and storage developer TagEnergy is a step closer to building a 300 MW / 600 MWh battery that is to help maintain grid stability in north Queensland after the local council provided a green light for the project.
Paper points to load shifting to support renewable rollout
Reconfiguring Australia’s residential off-peak hot water systems to consume electricity when renewable generation is at its peak could help minimise the more than 4,000 MWh of large-scale solar and wind generation that is being curtailed in the National Electricity Market annually.
Rooftop solar installs rebound with record 302 MW rolled out
Australia’s roll out of rooftop solar has climbed to a record high with households and businesses bolting on almost 302 MW of generation capacity in July, up 23% on the previous month.
Japanese appliance manufacturer snaps up Byron’s Smart Energy
Byron Bay-founded supplier and installer of residential rooftop solar and battery systems Smart Energy has been snapped up by Japanese appliance maker Rinnai Corporation as it seeks to establish a “robust presence” in Australia’s renewable energy sector.
Regulator approves reduced budget for Humelink transmission project
The Australian Energy Regulator has approved final costs for the next stage of Transgrid’s multi-billion-dollar Humelink transmission project but slashed the budget for the construction of the 500 kV line by more than $3 million.
