Solar installers, designers, have 3 months to move to new accreditation scheme after CEC stripped of role
Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator has selected a new body to take over the role of accrediting solar installers and designers, a position previously held by the Clean Energy Council. The new organisation will be formally announced in February, 2024, with solar installers given three months to transition to the new scheme at no extra fee.
Fortescue continues US expansion with new clean energy manufacturing plant
Australian mining and green energy major Fortescue has revealed plans to establish a new clean energy technology manufacturing plant in the United States as it looks to take advantage of America’s $565 billion (USD 369 billion) Inflation Reduction Act.
WA commits $708 million to future-proof state’s main grid
The Western Australian government will invest more than $700 million (USD 455 million) to deliver the step change in electricity transmission infrastructure needed to unlock renewable energy generation opportunities that will support the state’s energy transformation.
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.
