Transmission network operator Transgrid is counting on technology developed in the United States to increase the capacity for the bidirectional flow of energy between Australia’s most populous states with works on the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector upgrade project nearing completion.

Mining magnate Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue Future Industries continues its campaign to be one of the world’s largest clean energy companies, announcing plans to develop a 9.2 GW wind and solar facility in Egypt that will power green hydrogen production in the Arab republic.

The Australian Energy Market Commission has called for changes to be made to the national energy rules to allow for the injection of hydrogen into the existing gas distribution grid to support the needs of a transitioning energy market.

Perth-based battery technology company Lithium Australia’s 100%-owned subsidiary Envirostream has ramped up its battery recycling efforts, signing an agreement with South Korean manufacturer LG Energy Solutions to process at least 250 tonnes of its lithium-ion batteries over the next year.

Australia’s federal government has trumpeted the successful passage of legislation enshrining a pledge to slash carbon emissions by 43% by 2030 and to net zero by 2050, saying it provides the certainty that investors have been seeking so they can invest in renewable energy generation, storage and in transmission.

The Queensland government is reportedly considering ramping up its renewable energy target as the state looks to wean itself off coal-fired power on the pathway to net zero emissions by 2050.

Australian battery manufacturer Redflow is determined to capitalise on what is describes as an emerging demand for non-lithium-based energy storage technology, announcing it has teamed with United States-based renewables developer Empower Energies to deploy solar and flow battery solutions in North America.

As of Wednesday night, Labor’s climate change bill was poised to pass the Senate after the government agreed to amendments proposed by independent senator David Pocock to improve accountability and transparency.

Tasmanian farmers are set to turn to solar PV to cut energy costs with the state-owned irrigation authority announcing plans to install solar arrays at up to 13 existing pump station sites around the state, offsetting electricity usage and generating surplus power to be fed back into the grid.

Australia’s energy challenges are getting a lot of airtime: operational challenges with an ageing thermal fleet; global gas shortages sparked by the war in Ukraine sending prices skyrocketing; the rising cost of power bills; the decreasing reliability and impending retirements of coal generation, and the pressing need for firming/storage solutions.