Markets & Policy

Australia needs to inspire a $421 billion (USD 282 billion) investment, accelerate coal closures and significantly speed up our renewable rollout to realise 1.5°C Paris agreement climate targets, according to modelling from an investor group.

The Albanese government’s National Electric Vehicle (EV) Strategy includes just five new initiatives, four of which are still in the “development” or “preparation” stages. While there is a general sentiment the 56-page strategy is ‘a step in the right direction,’ numerous stakeholders have already pointed to its glaring omissions. 

Australian company Pure Hydrogen will showcase its ‘Taurus’ hydrogen fuel cell prime mover at the Brisbane Truck Show in May. The demonstration will be immediately followed by a trial at PepsiCo Australia, which will use the truck at one of its Brisbane manufacturing sites.

Industry peak body the Clean Energy Council has arrived at a starkly different conclusion about Australia’s large-scale renewable segment in 2023 compared to independent analyst Sunwiz. In its latest report, it hails the number of utility projects under construction and is highly optimistic about the segment’s prospects.

Finance consultancy explains in a new report that the levelised cost of green hydrogen (LCOH) is well below USD 2/kg with subsidies. Using either PEM and alkaline electrolysers, green hydrogen normally has a lower levelised cost than pink hydrogen. Meanwhile, Australian authorities are trying to increase the competitiveness of the local hydrogen sector, and car companies are updating their fuel cell plans.

Australia’s transition to clean, renewable energy has reached a major milestone with AGL today commencing the process of shutting down the last of three coal-fired generating units still operating at its Liddell power station in New South Wales as it prepares to completely close the facility before the end of the month.

New Zealand’s large-scale solar market is set to shift up a gear with the government announcing two new projects with a combined generation capacity of more than 500 GWh per annum have been referred for fast-track consenting.

Energy and environment ministers from the Group of Seven nations have announced new targets for solar power and offshore wind capacity after vowing to drastically increase renewable energy development and accelerate the phase out of “unabated” fossil fuel use.

Salgenx has developed a way to produce graphene on demand from its saltwater flow battery. The tech exploits the electrochemical properties of the battery’s cathode to exfoliate graphite into individual layers of graphene. The company says it can produce graphene for less than USD 1.25 ($1.85) per gram, providing storage businesses with an additional revenue stream.

Cannabis prohibition drove a culture of clandestine production in the past and solar helped growers to cultivate it at remote, off-grid sites. Now, as a global commercial cannabis market emerges, solar has an even bigger role to play, reports Blake Matich.