New research gauges Australia’s battery energy storage pipeline at 7 GW
New analysis from Cornwall Insight Australia has put Australia’s current battery energy storage pipeline at 7 GW. Of course, the vast majority of that projection is still firmly in the proposal phase, but the over 900 MW of energy storage thought to be developed by 2024 is still far in excess of AEMO’s ISP 2020 forecast, begging the question, how is the NEM going to fit it all in?
CEFC and Aware Super commit to emissions conscious private-equity fund
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation and Aware Super, one of Australia’s largest superannuation funds, have both committed $80 million to Adamantem Capital, a private-equity fund which requires its target companies to meet strict emissions reduction targets. For the CEFC, this is the beginning of decarbonisation in a part of the economy lagging behind, namely, private equity.
Engie and Yara partner to develop Pilbara Hydrogen Hub
Engie and ammonia producer Yara have published findings from their long-awaited feasibility study into the development of renewable hydrogen and ammonia at Yara’s Pilbara Fertilisers plant. The study has led to development plans for large-scale renewable hydrogen and ammonia development with the first phase, a 10 MW solar farm and electrolyser, already instigated.
WA Government stepping in to support lithium producers waiting for the boom
The Western Australian Government going to provide a temporary royalty rebate scheme for three lithium producers and their employees are who struggling in the face of low prices. Prices have fallen for the first time since 2014 as spodumene concentrate supply is being oversupplied in advance of the electric vehicle and energy storage boom which hasn’t quite hit yet.
WA announces members of its Future Battery Industry taskforce
A collection of mining companies, industry bodies and union groups have been announced as the members of the Future Battery Industry taskforce, the Western Australian McGowan Government’s unit designed to grow the value chain of critical minerals for the energy storage industry for domestic use and export opportunities.
Renewables outshine gas in race to replace Liddell
A new report from energy consultancy Reputex has thrown cold water on the Federal Government’s plan to replace AGL’s ageing Liddell coal-fired power station with a gas option.
In the heart of NSW coal country, Lithgow turns to rooftop solar and Tesla battery storage
Lithgow City Council is smack-bang in the thick of NSW coal country, its surrounds are littered by coal-fired power stations (most of them closed). However, the immunity of solar and energy storage to the power outages brought on by emergencies like bushfires, as well as the Council’s own community goals, means times are a changing.
Origin bets big on batteries as part of evolution
Origin Energy has unveiled plans to build up to five big batteries as the Australian energy utility accelerates its transition to clean energy.
Spanish newcomer E22’s 5 MW Li-ion battery to provide network services in West Gippsland
Spanish energy storage company E22 has set to work on its first project in Australia, a 5MW/7.5 MW Li-ion battery in Longwarry, VIC that is set to provide AusNet with much needed network services during the heights of summer congestion.
Interview: Education, reforms needed to drive quality battery storage
While long hyped, uptake of residential battery storage is continuing to underwhelm, according to BayWa r.e. Solar Systems managing director Durmus Yildiz. In the wake of the Insight on Quality session of the All-Energy Australia virtual conference, Yildiz says he has reservations about battery safety and quality, and that education is needed to drive the application’s growth.
