Utility Scale Storage

As rising renewables penetration and electrification place ever more strain on the world’s grids, the use of grid-forming inverters, rather than grid-following models, will play a vital role in network stability.

Singapore-based renewables developer Vena Energy has launched commercial operations of a 125 MW solar farm in Queensland’s Western Downs region that is backed by a long-term offtake agreement with global tech giant Amazon.

Trina Storage has struck a deal to supply 1.5 GWh of integrated energy storage solutions to Pacific Green which has plans to construct what is to be one of Australia’s largest grid-scale battery energy storage systems.

A new report published by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) shows the nation’s clean energy transition is gathering pace with renewables, including large-scale and rooftop solar, accounting for almost 40% of the country’s electricity generation in the first three months of the year.

Australian solar and storage technology firm RayGen has secured more than $51 million in new funding to accelerate the commercialisation and deployment of its concentrated PV and thermal hydro long-duration energy storage technology.

As the Australian authorities launch rolling tenders for 32 GW of renewables and storage by 2030, it has become clear that some communities have not been brought onside. Heated debate on social media and a frenzy stoked by concerns about the impact on the natural environment are throwing up hurdles for renewables development.

The Queensland government has entrenched the transformation of the state’s energy grid by passing laws locking in 80% renewable energy generation by 2035, a move it expects will create more than 100,000 new jobs in manufacturing, renewable energy generation, power transmission and industries of the future.

Development of an 800 mw / 9,600 MWh pumped hydro project within the New South Wales government’s Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone is advancing with renewables company Acen Australia announcing it has started geological works on site.

New South Wales-based clean energy company MGA Thermal has raised $5.7 million to prove the scale and industrial capabilities of its thermal energy storage technology that stores heat in blocks made largely from aluminium and graphite and dispatches it to generate electricity.

Renewables developer Vast Solar has inked key engineering contract as it pushes towards construction of a 30 MW concentrated solar thermal power plant with more than eight hours of energy storage capacity near Port Augusta in South Australia.