CSIRO launches $3 million upgrade to renewable energy research lab
Australia’s national science agency has launched a major revamp of its renewable energy research facility in Newcastle to provide new capacity for researchers and industry to test how technologies such as solar, wind, batteries and electric vehicles can integrate reliably into the grid.
Japanese anode manufacturing plant to source graphite from Queensland
Queensland based critical minerals company Graphinex is collaborating with Japanese entities to deliver graphite from its proposed $1.3 billion Esmeralda mine project to Japan, and create a fully integrated graphite-to-anode supply chain.
Driving on sunshine: Nissan wheels out solar-powered vehicle
The Ariya demonstration vehicle features 3.8 m² of Lightyear’s custom solar panels integrated across the hood, roof, and tailgate. Testing showed that the car could generate 0.5 kWh of solar energy during a 2‑hour, 80 kilometer trip, delivering up to 3 kilometres of range at no extra cost or charging time.
$5.1 billion investment in utility-scale solar and wind forecast for 2026
United Kingdom-headquartered energy analyst company Bloomberg New Energy Finance has forecast Australia is likely to see $5.1 billion in investment in utility scale solar and wind in 2026, though wind will account for 95% of the total.
World’s biggest battery-electric ship begins harbour trials
Incat Tasmania has started harbour trials of the largest battery-electric ship constructed to date with the 130-metre vessel moving under its own battery-electric propulsion for the first time.
Volvo EX30 recalled over battery defect
The Australian government has issued a recall notice for Swedish carmaker Volvo’s electric EX30 SUV due to a potential battery defect that could cause overheating and a vehicle fire.
Australia makes gains in electric vehicle uptake
The number of motorists opting to buy an electric vehicle in Australia continues to rise with new-car sales data showing almost 157,000 EVs were purchased in 2025 with total sales increasing by 38% compared to the previous year.
Carmaker uses repurposed EV batteries to help power production plant
Repurposed electric vehicle batteries have been used for the energy storage component of a solar and battery project that is now helping power operations at carmaker Nissan Australia’s aluminium casting plant in Victoria
Researchers unmask fast charge potential of hard carbon anodes
Japanese researchers have found sodium-ion batteries using hard carbon anodes can intrinsically charge faster than lithium-ion batteries, challenging long-held assumptions in battery research.
Incat powers up world’s largest battery-electric ship
Australian shipbuilder Incat Tasmania has powered up the world’s largest battery-electric ship – and the largest electric vehicle of any type on the planet – and successfully completed its first e-motor trial in Hobart.
