Markets & Policy

The Australian National University (ANU) has launched a new research project to provide a blueprint by which Australia can look to install itself as the renewable energy powerhouse of the region. The project raises both political and feasibility questions about Australia’s economic future.

The Northern Territory (NT) Labor Government has launched its draft Climate Change Response, a comprehensive and informed plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The NT is looking particularly to solar, as “Solar is the cheapest form of new electricity generation, and the NT has one of the best solar resources in the world.”

Electricity retailer Powershop is encouraging the uptake of Electric Vehicles (EVs) with the introduction of a “Super Off-Peak Tariff”, a way for EV owners with smart meters to charge their vehicles at a reduced rate.

Redflow has won a significant order of its ZBM2 zinc-bromine flow batteries for mobile phone tower sites across South Africa in a deal which should see the Australian energy storage company receive revenue this calendar year.

Aquarevo, VIC, Australia’s most water and energy efficient residential development, has seen its first instalment of sonnenBatteries at its showcase house, allowing residents to see the German designed, Aussie made energy storage technology in action.

Polysilicon manufacturer Daqo has announced the start of pilot production in Xinjiang and expects to ramp up to full output by the end of the year, doubling the company’s annual capacity to 70,000 MT. Some 90% of its poly will be mono by that stage and Daqo expects 40% to be suitable for n-type products next year.

A report by Germany’s Energy Watch Group thinktank has said we would be better off sticking to coal and oil than switching to gas because emissions of methane, the most potent greenhouse gas, caused by gas extraction render any related carbon savings irrelevant.

The Australian Capital Territory will soon become the first state or territory in Australia to achieve a transition to 100% renewable electricity and join a handful of major jurisdictions across globe that have made the move.

The Western Australian Government has launched a $10 million Renewable Hydrogen Fund in a bid to drive a new job-creating industry harnessing the state’s renewable resources. The fund’s strategic focus areas will be export, remote applications, blending in gas network and transport.

French renewable developer Neoen’s proposed hybrid power plant in South Australia is a monster, but is it a monster we can believe in? Along with industry experts we investigate the feasibility of Neoen’s Goyder South project.