Markets & Policy

As rising renewables penetration and electrification place ever more strain on the world’s grids, the use of grid-forming inverters, rather than grid-following models, will play a vital role in network stability.

Australia’s first large-scale solar garden will be officially launched in the New South Wales Riverina town of Grong Grong with hundreds of ‘gardeners’ on hand to celebrate the milestone that has allowed people previously locked out of rooftop PV to access the benefits of solar.

The rollout of large-scale solar in New Zealand continues to gather pace with renewables developer FRV Australia and joint venture partner Genesis Energy announcing that construction proper has commenced on a 47 MW solar farm at Lauriston on the country’s South Island.

The federal government’s plan to deploy 400 community batteries across the nation to soak up excess solar generated on neighbourhood rooftops has reached the Australian Capital Territory with sites for three new battery energy storage systems unveiled.

The Queensland government has promised to design a mandatory developer code for new renewable generation projects to put community engagement and social licence front and centre of the project development process.

Trina Storage has struck a deal to supply 1.5 GWh of integrated energy storage solutions to Pacific Green which has plans to construct what is to be one of Australia’s largest grid-scale battery energy storage systems.

A new report published by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) shows the nation’s clean energy transition is gathering pace with renewables, including large-scale and rooftop solar, accounting for almost 40% of the country’s electricity generation in the first three months of the year.

The renewable energy arm of Australian construction and engineering group Cimic says it has received connection approval for the 250 MW Hopeland Solar Farm being developed in Queensland’s Western Downs region.

The consultation process has commenced on the design of the $1 billion Solar Sunshot program that aims to boost the development of Australia’s solar manufacturing industry and increase the nation’s role in the global solar manufacturing supply chain.

Australian solar and storage technology firm RayGen has secured more than $51 million in new funding to accelerate the commercialisation and deployment of its concentrated PV and thermal hydro long-duration energy storage technology.