Utility Scale Storage

Australian solar and battery optimization technology provider Evergen will seek to accelerate its expansion in both the domestic and international markets after closing a $15 million fundraising round led by FRV-X, a division of Saudi-owned energy developer Fotowatio Renewable Ventures.

Sun Cable’s ambitious $30 billion-plus Australia-Asia PowerLink project, which is set to be the largest solar farm, largest battery and longest subsea electricity cable developed globally, has passed another major milestone with the Australian government’s independent infrastructure advisory body giving its economic credentials the tick of approval.

Australian renewables developer Energy Estate is seeking to raise more than $500 million to support its development activities and bankroll the construction of renewable power plants in both Australia and New Zealand.

A new report shows that renewable energy companies will continue to compete in upcoming auctions in India, undeterred by challenges such as rising materials costs and surging interest rates.

Solar developers have until July 15 to express interest in developing 105 MW of grid-connected floating solar in the Indian state of Maharashtra.

A couple of weeks ago, Goldman Sachs sent shockwaves through battery metals markets, issuing a prediction that cobalt and lithium in particular were due for a sharp price decline in the next two years. But London-based Benchmark Mineral Intelligence is loudly pushing back, outlining its reasons why it believes the call on lithium was wrong. Meanwhile, US analyst Wood Mackenzie says that the battery raw material chain will remain tight, but notes that recycling could help to ease the supply deficit.

Australian energy giant AGL Energy has announced its leadership of a consortium of industry partners for a feasibility study into whether its Torrens Island facility can become a green hydrogen hub for domestic users and export.

The Federal Energy Minister insists the Australian Energy Market Operator’s market intervention demonstrates that it is “more important than ever to manage the transition and get more energy into the system and more storage and transmission”.

The Tasmanian government is calling for registrations of interest from developers of new large-scale renewable generators and energy storage projects, and existing and proposed energy intensive load projects to participate in shaping the state’s first renewable energy zone.

Australian solar thermal specialist Vast Solar has partnered with storage development company 1414 Degrees to revive the long-awaited Aurora Solar Energy Project – which is to comprise a combination of solar thermal, PV, and battery energy storage technologies – at Port Augusta in South Australia.