Markets & Policy

Australia’s power market is experiencing the most pricing fluctuations of anywhere in the world, according to research from Rystad Energy. This volatility is a result of unplanned coal plant outages, natural disasters impacting transmission lines, and high solar penetration pushing down midday prices.

Leaders from Australian hydrogen startup Hysata are joining Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on his four-day visit to the US to meet President Joe Biden. Hysata is commercialising a hydrogen electrolysis breakthrough that claims to improve efficiency by 20%.

Victorian hydrogen company Energys has unveiled its third-generation, locally-manufactured Hydrogen Fuel Cell Generators, five of which are to provide backup power for Telstra’s remote telecommunications towers as part of a Victorian pilot. The company says it is already constructing a green hydrogen generation plant too, supported by funding from the Victorian government.

To help balance variable renewable generation, California has set flexible demand standards for pool controls. The standards will help the state achieve its target of 7 GW of load flexibility by 2030 while saving consumers money.

Traditional lands owners in Western Australia’s Pilbara region have signed an agreement with mining giant Rio Tinto to collaborate on large-scale renewable energy projects as the resources heavyweight powers up efforts to decarbonise its supply chain.

The Australian government has approved a third major renewables project in as many weeks, providing the green light for a 100 MW solar farm being developed in Queensland’s Western Downs region.

Global gas and engineering giants ATCO and BOC Linde have been named preferred partners to deliver a $593 million (USD 374 million) hydrogen production, power plant and storage facility at Whyalla in South Australia.

Meanwhile, the automaker’s energy storage unit boosted revenues by 40%, according to its Q3 earnings report.

Brisbane-based Vaulta has developed a lighter, smaller battery casing with fewer parts, which makes it easier to assemble modules and repair faulty components. CEO Dominic Spooner argues that the company’s patented technology has the potential to significantly reduce battery waste.

Solar and storage analyst Sunwiz is forecasting 2023 set a new record for small-scale solar in Australia. Despite installations this year lagging Australia’s biggest year to date, 2021, Sunwiz Managing Director, Warwick Johnston, tells pv magazine Australia that multiple signs point to a strong Q4.