The week of energy policy announcements: pumped hydro, hydrogen, energy efficiency, EVs
In a flurry of funding announcements, the Coalition government pledged to underpin two major pumped hydro projects, an interconnector and an energy efficiency program, and tried to move forward a hydrogen export roadmap and a national strategy for electric vehicles. However, if it truly wants to refashion itself on climate and energy policy and realize any of these massive new opportunities, the government will need to reshuffle the nation’s energy mix towards a greener future .
Solar saves the (heatwave) day
The latest report from The Australia Institute corroborates solar’s pivotal role in shaving peak demand, particularly in the event of extreme conditions as seen in January. Renewables performed the best of all energy sources during the record-breaking summer of heatwaves, while coal clunkers were operating well below capacity, the findings confirm.
Decmil breaks ground on 255 MW Sunraysia Solar Farm
Maoneng Australia, John Laing and Decmil have hosted a sod-turning ceremony on-site in Balranald, NSW. The developer has confirmed the solar farm will be co-located with a large-scale grid connected battery, and stated its plans for an additional 500 MW of solar and energy storage to be added in line with the proposed SA-NSW interconnector.
Low, middle income households install solar more than wealthy
New myth-busting analysis has revealed that rooftop solar is not so much in vogue among the wealthy, but is more popular among poorer households. Cost-saving benefits are, however, being blunted by high fixed charges, while energy retailers are profiteering from households with solar PV, states the report from the Victoria Energy Policy Climate.
Southeast Asia’s solar energy “Cubed”
Rystad Energy, an independent research and business-intelligence company serving energy investors, has launched the Southeast Asian hub of its RenewableCube data-analysis product. At an exclusive gathering in a Barangaroo tower suite last Friday, Minh Khoi Le, Research Analyst for APAC Renewables outlined the solar prospects for the region with Vietnam at its irradiant centre.
1.5 GW solar, 500 MWh battery project breaks ground in Queensland
The first sod has been turned on a massive solar+storage development located between Harlin and Kilcoy, in south-east Queensland. The project was proposed by Sunshine Energy Australia, a newcomer to the Aussie solar scene.
Australia shines for Neoen in 2018 results, Hornsdale big battery generates close to $29 million
Australian renewable energy projects have accounted for 53% of French developer and IPP in 2018. Globally, Neoen generated €227.6 million in revenues ($363 million), of which wind was responsible for 48% and solar 44%. Hornsdale’s “excellent performance” is spurring the company to expand its large scale storage portfolio in 2019.
Glencore ramps battery-building resources as it caps coal
2019 is showing signs of a seismic tremor in corporate attitudes to climate change and renewable-energy opportunities, with Glencore one of Australia’s biggest coal miners yesterday announcing it will prioritise production of commodities essential to energy transition.
Energy Renaissance selects Cadenza as technology partner, aims to establish 1.3 GWh lithium-ion cell manufacturing in Australia
A bold plan to establish a 1.3 GWh lithium-ion battery cell and module factory in Australia has moved a step closer to reality with prospective manufacturer Energy Renaissance selecting U.S. battery cell developer Cadenza Innovation as technology partner. Energy Renaissance plans to have modules rolling off its first 300 MWh pilot line within one year.
Sumitomo’s Infinite acquisition: “first step into distributed energy around the world”
In late January Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation Group took its first step into the distributed generation market, with its acquisition of Perth-based Infinite Energy. Infinite’s founder and CEO Aidan Jenkins says “after being the little guy” the Sumitomo balance sheet will allow the company to compete with the major electricity retailers – if state government in WA gives them the chance.
