Blaming renewables for power failures is wrong
In the aftermath of January’s blackouts in Victoria and South Australia, public policy think thank Grattan Institute underlines that blaming renewable energy for supply failures is wrong and dangerous. The new report flies in the face of repeated claims by the Coalition government that renewables are undermining the reliability of electricity system.
Melbourne trial looks to beef up grid for rooftop solar boom
A $2.2 million trial run by Jemena, AusNet Services, and UNSW Sydney will explore how existing network infrastructure can better integrate with solar power, as Australia’s rooftop PV uptake goes from strength to strength.
Election power play casts NSW Government and Opposition as sun seekers
Call them aspiring sun gods: In the lead up to the 2019 New South Wales election on 23 March, Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change Adam Searle and the NSW Liberal & National Government Energy Minister Don Harwin have both announced solar policies that support NSW householders to install rooftop solar-PV systems and thereby reduce their energy bills.
Disused zinc mine transforms into clean energy hub with compressed air storage
In an Australian first, Canada’s Hydrostor is delivering a 5 MW / 10 MWh compressed air energy storage facility, which will store excess solar and wind power at a closed underground mine in South Australia.
America’s Green New Deal is going to happen at state, not federal level
While U.S. senators Ed Markey and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduce a resolution for a clean energy package, legislation has been tabled in six states aiming to implement 80-100% clean energy by 2050 or earlier.
Pacific Hydro gets regulatory nod for 555 MW of solar
The 240 MW Prairie Solar Farm in Victoria has moved forward with a planning permission and the 315 MW Clarke Creek Solar Farm in Queensland has received a material change of use permit.
Victoria gives 90 MW solar farm go-ahead
The Central Goldfields Shire Council has given its tick of approval for the construction of the Carisbrook Solar Farm, proposed by Germany’s ib vogt.
GEM: Large scale solar generation grows 300% in 2018, renewables pass 20% share
The contribution of solar PV to Australia’s electricity generation mix hit record new highs in 2018, in new figures published today by Green Energy Markets. Last year rooftop PV generation from new arrays was 86% higher than in the previous three years and utility scale solar increased 300% – passing the 1,000 GWh milestone for the first time.
Redback added to SA Home Battery Scheme
Australian-based Redback Technologies is now eligible for subsidies under the South Australia Home Battery Scheme, alongside nine other brands. The company manufacturers its solar inverter-battery hybrid systems overseas.
IEEFA update: Even as forecasts signal decline in global thermal coal markets, Australia courts new mines
IEEFA supports new bill prohibiting the opening up of thermal coal mining in Queensland’s Galilee Basin
