Markets & Policy

Over 70,000 Australian households will install battery storage in 2019, according to the Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF). With the nation’s storage demand set to triple, Australia is forecast to make up 30% of global demand this year.

As part of a scientific research focusing on agriculture on exhausted mining areas, a seed cleaning shed on Christmas Island is being powered by solar+storage. The switch from polluting diesel has not only brought a low maintenance, silent and environmentally friendly solution to this remote location, but also lowered operational costs nearly fivefold.

Having welcomed Sol Distribution on board, Norwegian solar manufacturer REC Group hopes to expand its presence in Australia, which it sees as its key market in the APAC region.

Wood Mackenzie’s number-crunchers are the latest analysts queueing up to predict a bumper year ahead for PV, with falling prices, rising efficiency rates and booming markets outside China all on the cards. And it could be a make-or-break year for mega-projects, says Wood Mac.

The Australian Labor Party has released a National Hydrogen Plan, which involves directing $1 billion in CEFC funding towards clean hydrogen projects, $100 million in ARENA grants for hydrogen technology refuelling infrastructure, and $40 million from the CEFC’s Innovation Fund to help commercialise new hydrogen technologies and businesses. Looking towards clean energy exports, the plan will provide $3 million in funding to Queensland coal port in Gladstone with the aim of creating a hydrogen hub.

The world’s biggest solar market reached a cumulative installed PV capacity of 174.63 GW at the end of last year.

There are only 147 of the endearing and vulnerable kākāpō left. New Zealand’s 100% renewable Meridian Energy is tapping national ingenuity to encourage romance between these large green parrots, boost awareness of their plight, and most importantly, grow their population.

With more than 360 power stations accredited with a cumulative capacity of 3,376 MW, the Clean Energy Regulator says 2018 was a record year for Australia’s large-scale renewable capacity additions.

Another big battery has gone live in South Australia with the goal to contribute to energy security and reliability as a heatwave puts grid under pressure. The $30 million energy storage system is developed and owned by ElectraNet, as the first battery in the NEM to provide regulated network services and competitive market services.

Singapore-based solar developer Sunseap has taken a minority stake in Todae Solar, one of Australia’s largest solar commercial and industrial EPC companies.