Two major ammonia plants powered by green hydrogen planned for Queensland
As part of a broader push to develop a domestic hydrogen industry, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is providing $2.9 million for two studies into using solar and wind-powered hydrogen for ammonia. Both project are located in Queensland and presently use natural gas as feedstock.
New Zealand leading five-nation climate trade agreement in world’s first
New Zealand begins negotiations with four other small nations on trade agreement to remove tariffs on environmental goods, such as solar PV, and eliminate fossil fuel subsidies. The deal would be a world’s first, and another example of the confidence boost New Zealand enjoys during the Rugby World Cup.
Cannon-Brookes set to help fund 10 GW NT megaproject
Australian tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes, co-founder of Atlassian Corp, has used the sidelines of the United Nations Climate Action Summit in New York to announce plans to help fund the ambitious 10 GW, $20 billion, Sun Cable Project in the Northern Territory (NT).
Finkel’s CCS persistence spreads us too thin
Australia’s chief scientist Dr Alan Finkel continues to voice his support for some modicum of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) in Australia’s hydrogen future, providing a lifeline to fossil fuel producers. While Finkel’s argument holds some water, it holds nowhere near enough water to produce a hydrogen economy.
Australia joins solar powered space race
The Australian Space Agency (ASA) has joined the next generation, or rather this generation, space race, between the U.S. and China. A $150 million investment from the Morrison Government into the ASA will see Australia partner with NASA on its next sustainable exploratory missions.
ANZ joins RE100 and commits to 100% renewables by 2025
ANZ has become the latest Australian signatory of The Climate Group’s RE100 initiative, joining a growing pool of businesses in the global transition to a zero carbon grid.
South Australia government releases Hydrogen Action Plan
South Australia is looking to leverage its wind, sun, land, infrastructure and skills to be a world-class renewable hydrogen supplier.
ARENA investigates use of renewables in industrial process heating
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is allocating $460,500 in funding to investigate opportunities for using renewables in process heating in manufacturing.
NT sets zero emissions target and backs itself for a solar century
The Northern Territory (NT) Labor Government has launched its draft Climate Change Response, a comprehensive and informed plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The NT is looking particularly to solar, as “Solar is the cheapest form of new electricity generation, and the NT has one of the best solar resources in the world.”
Credits & discounted rates for smart charging encourages EV uptake
Electricity retailer Powershop is encouraging the uptake of Electric Vehicles (EVs) with the introduction of a “Super Off-Peak Tariff”, a way for EV owners with smart meters to charge their vehicles at a reduced rate.
