Western Power introduces new mechanism for 900 MW of large scale renewables
In an attempt to encourage more large scale renewable development while maintaining grid stability, Western Power has introduced its Generator Interim Access (GIA) mechanism for 900 MW of wind and large scale solar projects. The GIA will open the door for some PV power plant projects to go ahead in the state, if they agree to curtail production when instructed to do so by the grid operator.
South Australia’s Tesla big battery saves $40 million in grid stabilization costs
A new report analyzing the world’s largest lithium-ion battery’s performance in the first year of operation shows the Hornsdale Power Reserve has delivered on high expectations of its performance and market impact. It has helped stabilize the grid, avoid outages and reduce system costs, as well as triggered a surge in uptake of similar fast response systems across Australia.
Three perspectives from the NSW 2018 #smartenergysummit
The 2018 NSW Smart Energy Summit was crowded with attendees eager to hear former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, unfettered by party politics, address the state’s solar and renewables sector.
Rooftop PV passes two million mark
The number of Australian homes with solar PV systems installed on their rooftops has passed a two million milestone, show Clean Energy Regulator data. With an average of six panels installed a minute, the uptake shows no signs of subsiding.
Renewables power ahead, but emissions still rising
Renewable generation in the National Energy Market has set the fifth consecutive monthly record high in November, due to eight new solar farms coming online over the last two months. The National Energy Emissions Audit released by The Australia Institute tallied the figures. Despite solar’s growth, evidence coming from the Federal Government reveals a continuing upward trend in emissions since 2013.
50% RE target by 2030 is not too ambitious, but too low
If maintained, Australia’s current rate of installs would deliver 78% renewables by 2030, find Green Energy Markets in its latest edition of RE Index. The 50% renewables target proposed by the the Federal Labor Party and several state Labor governments would thus deliver a sharp market decline, with installations falling to a third of recent rates and workforce shrinking by three quarters.
SA virtual power plant moves forward with new retailer on board
The second phase of the proposed 250 MW virtual power plant will see Tesla Powerwall batteries and solar panels installed on 1,000 South Australian households.
Sonnen begins battery production in South Australia
The German energy storage provider has begun assembling batteries at the former Holden site at Elizabeth in Adelaide’s north. The company has already hired 50 full-time employees.
SMA takes 50% Australian inverter market share, dominates large scale
German inverter giant SMA has reported huge market share in the Australian marketplace, announcing 1.8 GW of PV power plant installations in 2018. The company’s dominance of the large scale segment is such that it claims “almost all utility scale PV power plant projects in Australia rely on the SMA Medium Voltage Power Station.”
South Australia sets up $50 million Grid Scale Storage Fund
The South Australian state government has launched a $50 million fund to support construction of new energy storage projects, seeking to address intermittency in the state electricity system and make electricity more affordable and reliable. There will be one round of applications, with a closing date of Thursday, 7 February 2019.
