AEMC proposes rule changes for major transmission projects
The Australian Energy Market Commission has proposed new rules that would require developers planning major transmission projects to consult with communities and affected stakeholders earlier in the projects’ development.
Weekend Read: Deployment trumps manufacturing in EU priorities
A lack of clear policy support, raw material dependency, and higher production costs are inhibiting the localisation of European solar manufacturing, despite strong demand, writes Edurne Zoco, executive director for clean energy technology at S&P Global.
Maxeon to build 3 GW cell and module plant in US
Singapore-headquartered solar manufacturer Maxeon Solar Technologies will invest more than $1.5 billion (USD 1 billion) to establish a TOPCon manufacturing facility in the United States, creating up to 1,800 highly skilled jobs.
Switch to all electric tipped to save households $4,320 a year
Australian households that make the shift to all-electric energy-efficient appliances, combined with solar panels, battery storage and electric vehicles, could save $3,500 a year by 2030 and $4,320 by 2050 compared with a fossil-fuelled household that relies on gas appliances and petrol or diesel vehicles.
Battery capacity overtakes pumped hydro in NEM
The energisation of two new battery projects totalling a combined 150 MW has seen the charging capacity from grid-scale battery energy storage systems surpass that of pumped hydro in Australia’s national grid.
Breaking through ‘status quo bias’ with co-designed solar power plants
A group of Dutch researchers assessed the impact of including stakeholder input in the design process of solar power plants. It found that a co-designed approach may help counter the resistance of local inhabitants and result in more positive evaluations of the project.
CSIRO to source 5 MW of flexible demand in smart buildings project
Australia’s national science agency will lead a ‘smart buildings’ pilot project that has the potential to create a new ecosystem of technologies and solutions to support flexible demand for energy, offering a way to ease pressure on the grid during peak demand periods.
Jacana calls for supply of large-scale solar in the Territory
The Northern Territory’s largest energy retailer is seeking expressions of interest from local, national and international proponents for the supply of up to 100 MW of large-scale solar for the Darwin-Katherine electricity grid.
Vena launches Indonesia production plan to support solar, storage ‘megaproject’
Singapore-based developer Vena Energy has announced it will investigate opportunities to manufacture solar panel components and battery energy storage systems in Indonesia to support a hybrid megaproject featuring up to 2 GW of solar capacity and more than 8 GWh of energy storage.
BlackRock links with NZ on $2 billion clean energy strategy
American investment giant BlackRock has teamed with the New Zealand government to launch a NZ$2 billion (AUD 1.86 billion) climate infrastructure fund to accelerate the growth of green energy technologies like solar, wind, green hydrogen and battery storage to fuel a low-emissions economy.
