Policy

New modelling suggests that changing the way we use Australia’s existing electricity sub-transmission and distribution grid could unlock 5 GW of additional rooftop solar, an extra 7 GW of front-of-meter generation, and 5 GW of additional distribution-connected battery energy storage by 2030.

French-backed renewables and storage developer TagEnergy is a step closer to building a 300 MW / 600 MWh battery that is to help maintain grid stability in north Queensland after the local council provided a green light for the project.

Reconfiguring Australia’s residential off-peak hot water systems to consume electricity when renewable generation is at its peak could help minimise the more than 4,000 MWh of large-scale solar and wind generation that is being curtailed in the National Electricity Market annually.

The Australian Energy Regulator has approved final costs for the next stage of Transgrid’s multi-billion-dollar Humelink transmission project but slashed the budget for the construction of the 500 kV line by more than $3 million.

New data has revealed 2,750 clean energy jobs have been created in the last two years within six publicly owned energy businesses, putting the state on track to reach a forecast of 100,000 jobs by 2040.

Australia has firmed as the world’s fourth-largest market for utility scale batteries with new data from research consultancy Rystad Energy revealing that almost 3 GW / 8 GWh of battery energy storage projects have started construction in the first seven months of 2024.

The Philippines’ Department of Energy has said that energy storage and maximising the country’s existing renewable energy infrastructure will be a major theme for its next green energy auction. GEA-4 will take place in the final quarter of 2024.

Access to rooftop solar in Western Australia has received a boost with state-owned energy provider Horizon Power expanding the reach of an internet-connected energy management project that promises to help balance energy flows on regional microgrids.

Growth in Australia’s renewable energy sector is strong with 43 GW of new utility scale generation and storage projects working through the National Electricity Market connection process but concerns remain that uncertainties surrounding approval processes could impact investor confidence.

New South Wales government efforts to stabilise the grid through an incentive scheme offering battery rebates has caused a lull in battery uptake and installations while some consumers wait another four months for the rebate to kick in.