New funding to make microgrids reality for First Nations communities
The development and deployment of renewable energy-based microgrids in First Nations communities in regional and remote Australia is to be accelerated as part of a new $125 million (USD 80 million) program financed by the federal government.
Horizon turns on solar and storage solution in remote WA
The town of Sandstone in Western Australia’s remote Midwest region is now being powered by renewable energy with state-owned regional utility Horizon Power unveiling a 163 kW solar facility coupled with a 759 kWh battery energy storage system.
US agency says microgrid could provide model for PNG
The United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, has committed $1.86 million (USD 1.2 million) to support the development of a solar-powered microgrid in Papua New Guinea’s Central province.
Weekend read: Building to last in the global south
Paul Wormser, vice president for technology at Clean Energy Associates, says PV initiatives should be designed to last, as several well-meaning off-grid solar projects for the developing world have floundered over the years.
NSW network operator puts community battery tech to test
A grid-connected community battery has gone live in Sydney’s western suburbs with New South Wales electricity distributor Endeavour Energy trialling the technology as a means to maximise the benefits of rooftop solar generation and more efficiently manage supply and demand in the network.
ARENA pushes for step change in solar cost and efficiency
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency says solar technology is mature enough and sufficiently cost effective to meet Australia’s 2030 renewables goals but a step change in efficiency and cost is required to support the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors such as industry and transport.
Italian startup offers solar kits packed in barrels
Italian manufacturer Barrel claims that solar kits packed in barrels are ideal for remote areas and conflict zones. Its standard packages consist of 6 kW solar modules, a 5.6 kW single-phase hybrid inverter, and 3.55 kWh of lithium battery energy storage capacity.
Rooftop solar underpins free electricity offer in WA
Western Australian government-owned utility Synergy will offer free electricity to eligible customers in a move that is designed in part to help counter challenges the state’s main power grid faces when rooftop solar generation is high and demand for energy in the system is low.
Solar-backed stand-alone power systems put to test in Victoria
Victorian network operator AusNet Services’ independent subsidiary Mondo Power has completed the installation and commissioning of 17 stand-alone power systems featuring PV and battery energy storage as part of its inaugural trial of the off-grid technology.
Solar-plus-storage microgrids minimise power shutoffs during wildfires
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory researchers have shown that microgrids equipped with solar-plus-storage systems can maintain an average levelised cost of energy (LCOE) below USD 0.30/kWh and limit annual public safety power shutoffs to 2% to 3% of annual energy demand.
