Finance

Spanish developer Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) has signed its second power purchase agreement with the government-owned retailer Snowy Hydro for a solar project, which it bought from Germany’s Ib vogt.

In welcome news for solar and wind developers in Australia, the network rule maker has decided to not to rush through changes to transmission access rules under the much-criticized Coordination of Generation and Transmission Investment (CoGATI) plan.

The COVID-19 outbreak has disrupted the global PV supply chain. China, the largest manufacturing hub for solar products, has postponed factory openings in many regions, as it has been hit by logistical hiccups, staff shortages, and delivery delays. Manufacturers in some Chinese provinces are running under capacity, while those overseas are facing the same situation.

Queensland University of Technology (QUT) researchers say they will play a key part in developing the green hydrogen export industry by driving production, storage and transport projects under the auspices of the newly established Future Energy Exports (FEnEx) Cooperative Research Centre.

Economist Ross Garnaut believes the cure for a corona virus hit and recession bound economy is strong investment in renewables, in our future energy infrastructure.

A new report from financial think-tank Carbon Tracker has found that coal developers risk wasting more than $600 billion due to stubborn resistance to the already cheaper electricity resources provided by renewable energies worldwide. The report finds, in short, that a new coal plant is about as prudent an investment today as a Clydesdale and cart. 

Chinese PV heavyweight Canadian Solar has announced an offtake deal for its Gunnedah solar project in New South Wales signed with e-commerce giant Amazon.

A report by Norwegian energy consultant DNV GL has considered the opportunity for long-term energy storage to play a role in balancing annual supply and demand fluctuations in a renewables-led grid. Using 58 years of Dutch weather and energy consumption data, the study found long-term solutions such as green hydrogen could make a valuable contribution – but perhaps not as much as some analysts believe.

A feasibility study will explore a new option for producing and using renewable hydrogen with the help of funding provided by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). If the study supports the business case, the project run by Stanwell Corporation will deliver the largest hydrogen electrolysis plant in Australia.

New research commissioned by Atlassian suggests a burgeoning Social Contract whereby employees want business to take more of a leadership role on societal issues to make up for perceived government lack. The research feels the pulse of the Australian workforce but also raises some interesting questions.