Turnbull to chair Fortescue’s ambitious renewable energy business
Iron ore giant Fortescue Metals Group’s ambitious Fortescue Future Industries wants to build a renewable energy portfolio of more than 235 GW. The ambition, combined with the apparently bullish effort of Fortescue executives in recent months, has garnered headlines, and now Fortescue has announced former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and former National Intelligence chief Nick Warner as part of its team.
Novel nanomaterial to replace graphite in lithium-ion batteries
Porous nanostructured microspheres made of copper, iron, and iron oxide were used by an international research team as negative anode material in lithium-ion batteries. The new technique is claimed to provide three times more capacity than batteries based on graphite anodes.
Victoria devotes $10 million more to hydrogen, and joins the dots of a green hydrogen economy
In the race to develop hydrogen projects, pilots and potential, Victoria has stated its advantages and desired outcomes. The Australian Hydrogen Council commends the state’s just-published Renewable Hydrogen Development Plan as “comprehensive”.
Victoria’s minimum solar feed-in tariffs to drop by 34%
The delicate balancing act between incentivising rooftop solar uptake, versus moderating its effects on the grid and electricity markets continues, with the Victorian energy regulator reducing the state’s minimum solar feed-in tariff from 1 July.
One in a million, solar drives smart meters past the million milestone
Smart metering services provider Intellihub cracked the million meter mark this week as the smart meter market in Australia and New Zealand surges off the back of continuing solar uptake.
Neoen completes financing for 300 MW Victorian Big Battery
Construction has commenced on the 300 MW / 450 MWh Victoria Big Battery storage facility near Geelong after the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) provided French renewable energy developer Neoen with a $160 million funding injection.
Trina Solar enters storage business
The module manufacturer’s new storage unit, Trina Storage, aims to create innovative solutions for the combination of photovoltaics and storage, grid services and other applications.
Vehicle-integrated PV reduces EV charging time in sunny regions by 40%
Dutch scientist Bonna Newmann spoke with pv magazine about the present and future of vehicle-integrated PV from a technological and economic perspective. Solar panels installed on cars could have a payback time of only three or four years and ensure 10,000 km of pure PV-generated road travel per year, she said. Furthermore, if you live in a sunny place, you can drive an electric car with solar panels for weeks during summertime, without the need for recharging, she pointed out.
Gransolar plans 13 big batteries for SA, Victoria, and NSW
Gransolar’s battery division, E22, will reportedly develop 13 large-scale batteries in South Australia, Victorian and NSW.
WA deploys stand-alone power systems at properties affected by Perth Hills bushfire
Western Australia has officially extended the reach of its new darling: stand-alone power systems, or SAPS. In a state first, Government-owned network services provider Western Power has deployed units at two Perth Hills properties following bushfires earlier this month.
