Clean energy takes centre stage in federal budget, industry reactions
The Albanese Labor government has delivered its 2023 – 2024 budget, placing energy front and centre. The budget takes the government’s total spend on making Australia a renewable superpower to $40 billion (USD 27 billion). While many in the industry have applauded the budget, there are some glaring contradictions.
Electrolysis cost-efficient in all climates, says Finnish team
Researchers at the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland said that chemical energy storages were needed for short and long-term balancing in every climate region, especially in the northern climates. Meanwhile, companies are moving forward with their plans to produce hydrogen in Namibia and Morocco.
Key takeaways as big batteries in Australia hit 1 GW
Australia recently hit it first gigawatt of big battery storage, with another 40 GW in the projected pipeline. During the Smart Energy Conference, Marija Petkovic, founder and managing director of Energy Synapse, looked at what we’ve learned so far.
Swiss team sets record solar-to-hydrogen rate
Researchers from Switzerland’s École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne have unveiled a new solar dish plant design, while Plug Power has delivered its first electrolyser system to Europe.
Failure to cut energy consumption stymies Australia’s net zero progress, ABS statistics show
Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics has shown that while renewable generation in Australia has increased significantly year on year, the country’s progress towards net zero is stymied by the failure to reduce consumption.
Going, going, gone: AGL completes shutdown of Liddell
Today marks a historic moment in Australia’s energy transition with AGL Energy completing the shutdown of its coal-fired Liddell power station in New South Wales with the last operating turbine having been switched off for the final time.
‘Implausible assumptions’ in Australia’s decarbonisation modelling leads investors to develop 1.5°C pathway
Australia needs to inspire a $421 billion (USD 282 billion) investment, accelerate coal closures and significantly speed up our renewable rollout to realise 1.5°C Paris agreement climate targets, according to modelling from an investor group.
‘Record’ renewables under construction says report which contrasts earlier analysis
Industry peak body the Clean Energy Council has arrived at a starkly different conclusion about Australia’s large-scale renewable segment in 2023 compared to independent analyst Sunwiz. In its latest report, it hails the number of utility projects under construction and is highly optimistic about the segment’s prospects.
Australia’s approval of renewable projects has doubled, says Plibersek
Australia federal Labor government has approved 11 new renewable energy and transmission projects in since the election in May 2022. There are currently another 95 renewable projects under assessment.
WA increases electricity supply for regional households after rule change wreaks havoc
Western Australia will now offer rural and metro-area residents in its main grid the same electricity supply. The move comes after a seemingly innocuous rule change saw regional customers unable to run their air conditioning at the same time as their cooktops – a drama pv magazine Australia first reported in July 2022 which led to sustained community pressure.
