Energy Storage

The Queensland government’s proposed 2 GW/48 GWh Borumba pumped hydro energy storage project continues to power ahead with a call for expressions of interest for underground works.

Mining giant Fortescue has abandoned plans to build a 5.4 GW solar, wind and battery energy storage project that was to provide renewable energy to power its iron ore mining operations in Western Australia’s northwest.

The PV industry in Southeast Asia has come a long way since guest author Ragna Schmidt-Haupt, partner at Everoze, reported on solar financing innovation in the region more than a decade ago. In this article, she outlines five factors for success, the newest of which has the potential to become a game changer, and not only in Southeast Asia.

The 250 MW/2,000 MWh Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project being developed in northern Queensland remains on track for energisation next year with developer Genex Power announcing that construction of the main access tunnel for the underground works is now complete.

United States solar and energy storage solutions manufacturer Bluetti has launched a modular 7,600 W lithium iron phosphate battery system for residential settings with a flexible energy storage capacity ranging from 9.9 kWh to 19.8 kWh.

LAVO, which entered the market with its hydrogen battery in 2021, has soft launched a new Energy-as-a-Service model. Partnering with Yingli Solar, LAVO says it can install and maintain solar, battery and EV charging systems at no upfront cost to Australian households, who will then pay off the systems via a 10-year subscription.

The South Australian government is looking to fast-track the development of grid-scale battery energy storage systems across the state, launching a process that promises to provide successful projects with exemptions that could “significantly” improve project timelines.

The Brookfield-led consortium looking to acquire Origin Energy has come back with a “best and final” bid that values the company at approximately $20 billion (USD 12.85 billion). The offer comes just days after the energy utility’s largest shareholder rejected the previous bid.

Australian battery and renewable energy developer Akaysha Energy said construction of its 150 MW/300 MWh Ulinda Park big battery planned for Queensland’s Western Downs region will commence in the coming weeks with the company having now reached a final investment decision on the project.

Chinese solar panel manufacturer AIKO unveiled its solar cell technology at Melbourne’s All-Energy event last week ahead of an impending entry into the Australian market.