Feds tip $70 million into Kwinana hydrogen hub as bp eyes 1.5 GW capacity project
British-headquartered oil and gas major bp will look at deploying a 100 MW electrolyser to produce renewable hydrogen for domestic and export markets as it seeks to transform its former Kwinana oil refinery site in Western Australia into a green fuels hub.
WA cuts approvals red tape for major green energy projects
The Western Australian government has introduced a new environmental assessment exemption order in a bid to facilitate smoother and faster approvals for major renewable energy projects and support the state’s decarbonisation efforts.
‘Well short’: Canadian fund flags REZ risks, costs and offtake woes as causing Australian underinvestment
The managing director of Omers Infrastructure, a Canadian infrastructure fund with stakes in FRV Australia and Transgrid, has said the company is “well short” of its investment hopes for Australian renewables.
NSW gov proposes ‘standard’ benefit sharing and revised approval pathways to accelerate renewables
The NSW government has published a suite of draft guidelines for renewable projects, most notably proposing community benefit sharing fees of $850/MW per annum for solar, and $1050/MW for wind. While the guidelines are an attempt to level the playing field between communities, local councils, and big developers, some fear the proposed rules could undercut ongoing negotiations.
Weekend read: BESS lessons learned
Taking a rigorous approach to inspection is crucial across the energy storage supply chain. Chi Zhang and George Touloupas, of Clean Energy Associates, explore common manufacturing defects in battery energy storage systems (BESS) and how quality-assurance regimes can detect them.
Feasibility-first value selling – a turbocharger for commercial installer growth
A ‘Feasibility First Value Selling’ can transform solar sales processes, James Allston of Orkestra argues.
Green Gravity signs deal to roll out energy storage tech in Romania
Australian energy storage startup Green Gravity will explore opportunities to deploy its gravitational energy storage technology in Europe after inking an agreement with the Romanian state-owned energy company Complexul Energetic Valea Jiului SA.
New land, water licenses granted for 8 GW green hydrogen project in WA’s Gascoyne
Province Resources, a Perth-based company developing an 8 GW green hydrogen project in the state’s Gascoyne region, has had additional licences granted by the WA government covering an area over 600,000 hectares, including over 864 hectares of the seabed near Carnarvon needed for export.
Ausgrid turns on community battery as ARENA reveals ‘overwhelming’ demand
New South Wales network operator Ausgrid has switched on the second community battery rolled out under an Australian government national funding program that has sparked an “overwhelming” response with more than $3.5 billion (USD 2.28 billion) of projects seeking funding.
Fortescue terminates plans for 5.4 GW project in Pilbara
Mining giant Fortescue has abandoned plans to build a 5.4 GW solar, wind and battery energy storage project that was to provide renewable energy to power its iron ore mining operations in Western Australia’s northwest.
