AEMO calls for sustained investment as WA power supply outlook improves
The Australian Energy Market Operator has eased forecasts of a looming capacity shortfall in Western Australia’s main electricity grid but has warned of the need for “substantial and sustained” investment in renewables to replace coal-fired power stations and meet surging demand from customers electrifying their operations.
AGL tips $150 million into UK-born smart energy platform
Energy major AGL will invest $150 million for a 20% stake in smart energy platform Kaluza in a move the utility hopes will radically transform its retail operations and deliver significant savings.
CEC calls for new policies to support increased uptake of rooftop solar, home batteries
The Clean Energy Council is calling for a unified national strategy to “supercharge” the uptake of consumer energy resources including rooftop solar and home batteries in Australia, saying such a move would deliver more than $22 billion in savings and 18,200 extra jobs by 2050.
Project Symphony virtual power plant pilot hits right notes for future markets
A West Australian government virtual power plant technology pilot, Project Symphony, has successfully proven rooftop solar, batteries and major appliances can play an integral role in the state’s energy transition and create $920 million in value over the next decade.
Warehouse rooftop solar and batteries could unlock 28 GW
An inert uptake of rooftop solar and battery storage by commercial and industrial business in New South Wales is a 7 GW opportunity missed, and nationally, 28 GW, says Nexa Advisory.
Queensland targets solar and battery waste stream with $45 million commitment
Queensland businesses can now apply for up to $10 million funding for large-scale recycling projects that tackle commercial and industrial waste and provide recovery solutions for renewable energy technologies, including end-of-life solar panels and batteries.
Long-duration energy storage poised to outcompete lithium-ion batteries
While most long-duration energy storage (LDES) technologies are still early stage and costly compared to lithium-ion batteries, some have already, or are, set to achieve lower costs for longer durations, finds BloombergNEF.
CEFC urged to pick up pace with household energy upgrades fund
The federal government has been urged to pick up the pace after the Clean Energy Finance Corporation opened the purse strings on a $1 billion fund that is to support cheaper finance for rooftop solar, home batteries and other energy efficiency upgrades for Australian homes.
Community battery rollout picks up pace adding 980 kWh capacity in NSW
The deployment of community batteries rolls on in New South Wales with network operators Endeavour Energy and Ausgrid both launching new energy storage systems on their networks.
Weekend read: Enhancing safety in lithium-ion batteries
Lithium-ion batteries are generally safe and unlikely to fail but they can catch fire if they are damaged or stored or operated incorrectly. There is a tremendous amount of research and engineering effort going into making batteries safer but are technological advancements being rolled out quickly enough?
