Emissions reduction in Australia 30 times too slow for Paris targets, ‘green growth’ a myth
A new study assessing 11 high-income countries, including Australia, has found they are not reconciling their growth-based economic systems with actual, timely emissions reductions.
Low-cost, ‘graphene-enhanced’ perovskite solar cells to be produced in funded Wagga Wagga project
Two Australian companies working in solar R&D have been awarded over $2 million (USD 1.3 million) for a project seeking to commercialise ultra-low-cost, flexible perovskite solar cell fabrication. The solar cells will be “graphene-enhanced” and are to be produced in Halocell’s Wagga Wagga plant in NSW.
JA Solar to build 5 GW of cell capacity in Vietnam
GCL Technology Holdings Limited reported strong revenue for the first half of 2023, while JA Solar says it will invest CNY 2.72 billion ($578.7 million) in 5 GW of N-type solar cell capacity in Vietnam.
New funding deal sees focus shift for Marinus Link
The initial capacity of the proposed Marinus Link transmission project, that would connect Tasmania and the Australian mainland via an undersea electricity interconnector, has been reduced by 50% as part of new funding arrangements announced by the federal and state governments.
MPower starts building after purchase of 5 MW Narromine project completed
Construction is to commence immediately on a 5 MW solar project being developed at Narromine in western New South Wales as Australian renewable energy developer MPower’s continues to progress its mid-scale solar strategy.
Snowy Hydro plans contract reset amid $12 billion cost blowout
Snowy Hydro has revealed the budget for the Snowy 2.0 project has blown out to $12 billion (USD 7.8 billion) and the giant pumped hydro storage project is now expected to commence operations seven years later than originally scheduled.
Storage tender for 2.4 GWh announced for Victoria and SA
A tender for 600 MW / 2.4 GWh of energy storage in Victoria and South Australia has been announced as part of the new national Capacity Investment Scheme – essentially a project underwriting program coordinated by the federal government.
Victoria launches new neighbourhood battery scheme, announces funding winners
The Victorian government has launched the first funding round of its new neighbourhood battery program and simultaneously announced the winners, mostly “business cases”, from its preexisting scheme.
Australia’s R&D spend continues to shrink despite global clean energy race intensifying
Australia continues to rank poorly for investment in science and research, spending just 1.68% of its GDP – well below the OECD average. This underinvestment is a growing problem for the clean energy industry, with fellow nations actively poaching innovations to capture future manufacturing markets.
Four Queensland towns funded to switch from diesel to solar and batteries
Four western Queensland communities powered by state-owned diesel generators are set to switch to solar and batteries, including Boulia, Burketown, Doomadgee and Windorah.
