Markets & Policy

Renewables developer Infigen has announced that the 25MW/52MWh Tesla battery at the Lake Bonney wind farm has been energised and registered with AEMO. The battery is expected to be fully commissioned by the year’s end.

Public policy think-tank Grattan Institute has released a new report on energy policy, or lack thereof. The report, entitled Power Play: How governments can better direct Australia’s electricity market, makes a comprehensive overview of the current state of affairs and makes concerted recommendations.

Lord Howe Island is set to finally receive a solution to its energy problems with the installation of a solar + battery storage system that will reduce its reliance on diesel fuel.

The new solar-powered EV charging stations with integrated energy storage are designed to support electric vehicles even in the height of summer. The technology is developed by Australia’s national science agency in collaboration with Nissan Australia and Delta Electronics and backed by funding from the Victorian Government.

Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has sharply criticised the Liberal Party for its inability to provide a coherent national energy policy. Turnbull questioned the conservative integrity of his old party on its 75th anniversary as the federal policy vacuum continues to have adverse effects on the market and renewable investment. 

Coffs Harbour City Council has begun a rapid uptake of solar PV as it looks to meet its target of 100% renewable energy by 2030.

Following joint investigations by Solar Victoria and Energy Safe Victoria, the Victorian government has banned a solar installer from the Solar Homes program for at least two years. The investigations found that Space Solar had employed unlicensed electricians to carry out works, resulting in technical and safety defects.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), along with support from the NSW and South Australian Governments, Ausgrid and NRMA, has announced that it will provide almost AUD$500,000 in funding to Evenergi to assist businesses and consumers plan for the electric vehicle (EV) revolution.

Aussie company Vast Solar wins Technology Innovation Award at the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) SolarPACES 2019.

Fundraising activity for solar leaped in the July-to-September period to provide healthy quarterly and year-so-far comparisons on 2018.