Markets & Policy

Renewable energy developer Neoen will scale up the installed capacity of the Western Downs Battery being built in Queensland to 270 MW/540 MWh as it looks to keep pace with rising demand for energy storage and realise opportunities across Australia’s evolving energy system.

Australian natural hydrogen explorer Gold Hydrogen plans to start drilling on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula later this year after early testing at its maiden Ramsay project site detected the presence of naturally occurring hydrogen in soil samples.

Transgrid, Australia’s major grid operator, plans to soon launch a competitive process to procure grid support services from third-party battery operators as it looks beyond traditional network infrastructure to help maintain the reliability of electricity supply in two growth regions in New South Wales.

The Australian government has committed $50 million to support the development and diversification of clean energy supply chains in the Indo-Pacific as it seeks to increase manufacturing opportunities and enhance energy security in the region.

Construction of Australia’s largest electricity transmission project continues to roll on with network operator ElectraNet announcing it has achieved more than 70% completion of the South Australian component of the 900-kilometre EnergyConnect project that will link power grids across three states.

Rystad Energy says that about €7 billion ($7.8 billion) of solar panels are now being stored in Europe, but European developers continued to buy solar modules from China throughout the first half of this year.

The volume and complexity of data generated by renewables sites is growing, as are the regulatory requirements regarding its collection and delivery. Thomas Andersen, VP of renewables for U.S.-based engineer Emerson, explains how modern asset management systems can deliver better functionality and management to project operators and owners.

Australia’s Fortescue Future Industries has made its first major move in the United States since the passage of the landmark Inflation Reduction Act, outlaying $34.42 million (USD 24 million) to purchase the ‘fast-to-market’ Phoenix Hydrogen Hub being developed in the American state of Arizona.

The New Zealand arm of United Kingdom-based renewables company Harmony Energy is seeking to accelerate the development of three solar farms that would add almost 300 MW combined generation capacity to the nation’s energy grid.

Western Australia’s electric vehicle fast-charging network continues to roll out in regional areas with the first of eight planned EV fast chargers for the Kimberley now operational in Broome.