Finance

The feasibility study into the production of renewable hydrogen and ammonia in the portside town of Geraldton in Western Australia is being supported by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

QIC-owned Pacific Energy has bought solar and battery microgrid specialist Hybrid Systems in a bid to tap the off-grid and edge-of-grid growth in Western Australia.

The offer under the South Australian government’s Home Battery Scheme has been expanded with the addition of Fimer’s residential energy storage solution.

A new study partly funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) will look at system strength issues that have been an emerging challenge for renewable energy generation in the National Electricity Market, and explore the merits of several technical solutions, including battery storage.

Between 460 and 480 MWp in size, Western Downs will become the largest solar farm in Australia, bringing significant regional economic benefits to South West Queensland.

Renewable energy is forging through the Covid-19 crisis and ready to contribute even more than cheaper, cleaner energy to Australia’s recovery from the economic disaster brought on by the pandemic. A Clean Energy Council forum held today provides strategies and resources for Government and business to apply to a revitalised, more resilient future.

The Morrison Government claims that BloombergNEF ranks its new commitment and cumulative investment in hydrogen as among the largest made by any country. But there’s more to investment than largesse, as BNEF recently ascertained in a study of the economic case for hydrogen.

Wood Mackenzie analysts have expressed concern over deteriorating renewable energy investment conditions in Australia, noting that greater clarity on transmission investment is needed to support the sector.

WA’s McGowan Government has set up a $9 million Clean Energy Future Fund which it will top up with the royalties of ‘unconventional onshore oil and gas projects’, a euphemism for fracking.

In the face of the Covid-19 economic crisis, companies and investment firms are looking to buyback existing solar systems from businesses in exchange for ready cash and decent terms.