Energy Storage

Developers of large-scale PV projects in Australia are being told it is of the utmost importance that they plan for increased frequency of sudden solar power fluctuation events – known as ramps – with new research suggesting that climate change may affect the future stability of grid-connected solar power systems.

Investors have lodged bids for 3.1 GW of wind and solar projects, along with 1.6 GW of long-duration storage projects, in response to the New South Wales government’s latest tender for renewable energy generation and storage capacity as it prepares for the exit of coal-fired power generation from the state’s electricity grid.

Origin Energy and supermarket giant Coles have partnered to deploy 20 MW of solar at up to 100 supermarkets and liquor stores throughout Australia in a deal that will allow the energy gentailer to use excess electricity generated by the installs to ease pressure on the grid during peak demand periods.

Newcastle-based clean energy company MGA Thermal has secured $8.25 million (USD 5.39 million) from domestic and international investors as it gears up for commercial scale production of its thermal long-duration energy storage solution.

Pilbara Minerals and Australian technology company Calix have received board approvals to build a ‘game changing’ processing plant to produce value-added lithium product at the miner’s flagship Pilgangoora project in Western Australia.

Energy Vault has begun commissioning a 25 MW / 100 MWh energy storage tower adjacent to a wind power facility outside of Shanghai.

Ingeteam has sold its operation and maintenance (O&M) division to United Kingdom-based RES Group. It says the division’s 35 GW of O&M contracts throughout the world are valued at $58.55 billion (€35 billion).

Flow battery technology is under the microscope with the Queensland government committing $24 million (USD 15.83 million) to further evaluate and assess the capacity of the technology to support the next stage of the state’s battery capability and help meet its renewable energy targets.

A permanent shift towards 100% renewable energy supply on Tasmania’s King Island is a step closer to realisation with the completion of a new 1.5 MW solar farm adding to the existing hybrid off-grid power system that services the island.

Construction of the 350 MW Blind Creek solar farm and large-scale battery energy storage project planned for southeast New South Wales is set to begin next year with renewables developer Octopus Australia announcing the state government has now granted planning approval.