AGL grows massive battery storage in the shadow of retiring fossil-fuelled power stations
AGL, one of Australia’s biggest polluters, is working towards net-zero emissions by 2050 and new relevance in a renewable-energy-powered world. Think big batteries to replace the spinning reserve of some coal and gas generators, and digital management of its customers’ distributed rooftop resources.
October’s QLD energy price spike ‘harbinger of things to come’
On Tuesday 13th October 2020 Queensland’s electricity spiked from approximately $25/MWh to $15,000/MWh (the current market price cap) in response to a tripping incident involving the constraint of 11 solar farms and one wind farm. The event is being seen as illustrative of just what needs to be addressed in the design of NEM 2.0.
A battery of technology providers invited to tender for 30 MW NT BESS
The Northern Territory is advancing projects that will help it achieve 50% penetration of renewables into its energy supply by 2030. First up, the procurement of a 30 MW battery to boost reliability of the Darwin-Katherine grid.
Weekend read: Down in the weeds of Australia’s distribution networks
Australian electricity wires are awash with sunshine, such that network operators have threatened to up the drawbridge on further rooftop connections, while limiting rooftop PV exports to the grid. But data streams hold the key to unlocking surprising existing capacity, stabilising voltage, and living the Aussie dream.
IEA report rubbishes Morrison’s gas-led energy plan
An International Energy Agency report led up by Rolf Frischknecht from Treeze in Switzerland and under the joint project management of the University of New South Wales’ José Bilbao has measured the lifecycle emissions of both residential solar PV with battery storage and gas-generated grid electricity. The results are not particularly surprising, only the Morrison Government’s ongoing obduracy is.
TNG establishes vanadium redox flow battery business with an eye to rapid green sector advancement
Australian mining and resource technology company TNG Limited has set up a subsidiary, TNG Energy, to run point on the advancement of its green sector ambitions through the use of its high-purity vanadium pentoxide deposit to make vanadium redox flow batteries for off-grid solutions.
NT’s Home and Business Battery Scheme charging ahead
230 Northern Territory businesses have already received their vouchers for Australia’s most generous energy storage subsidity, the NT’s Home and Business Battery Scheme. The scheme, which is still open for applications until November 30, offers grants of $6,00 to homeowners and business owners to install solar and battery storage, or complement an existing solar system with a battery.
Winner, winner, chicken dinner! Australia’s largest poultry farm switches on solar plus energy storage system
Australia’s largest free-range chicken farm switched on one of the biggest solar plus energy storage system’s of any commercial farm in the country this week. With 1.4 MW of rooftop solar combining with 2.28 MWh of energy storage via 5 Tesla lithium-ion batteries, the farm is excited to save enormous amounts on its energy bill and its emissions. Winner, winner!
Gold Coast to light up with 33 MW Goldmine Solar Farm
One of Australia’s tourist hot spots could soon be home to a major solar farm with the Gold Coast City Council giving a 33 MW project the green light.
Major economies should divert fossil fuel Covid-recovery cash to clean energy before it’s too late
A report by Finnish company Wärtsilä has estimated the potential impact if every dollar committed to a non-renewables energy sector recovery was instead funnelled to clean power.
