Sustainability

The largest integrated off-grid solar and battery storage facility in Australia when it was deployed, the DeGrussa solar and battery hub in remote Western Australia has reached end of life with asset owner Neoen confirming it is now planning to remove the more than 34,000 solar panels and rehabilitate the site.

The National Farmers’ Federation is calling on the federal government to expedite the public release of findings from a review into community engagement on renewables projects and energy infrastructure upgrades as it seeks to improve social licence during the transition to renewables.

New Zealand-based dairy producer Fonterra has started operating a new heat pump in combination with a solar thermal facility. The hybrid project transforms excess heat from chillers and compressors into a heat source for industrial use.

With global irradiance above average in Australia, Southeast Asia and Europe, and stable in the United States, solar data provider Solargis says stakeholders should focus on the stability of power grids, while navigating solar financing complexities in developing economies and supply chain capacities in 2024.

Oil and gas giant Woodside Energy has signed a deal with South Korean utilities major SK E&S to explore the potential development of a “lower-carbon” hydrogen value chain between Australia and South Korea.

New South Wales electricity distributor Endeavour Energy has flicked the switch on the state’s first community microgrid with the rooftop solar and battery energy storage system helping to provide power certainty for the South Coast communities of Bawley Point and Kioloa.

The Australian arm of Swedish renewables heavyweight OX2 will develop a new 25 MW solar farm in the New South Wales Riverina district after signing a long-term power purchase agreement with data centre firm AirTrunk and global tech giant Google.

Australia’s largest battery with grid-forming inverter capabilities is set to go ahead with energy major AGL announcing a final investment decision on a 500 MW, two-hour duration battery being developed in the New South Wales Hunter Valley.

Renewable energy retailer SmartestEnergy Australia and Enel Green Power Australia have signed a long-term offtake agreement for the 93 MW Girgarre Solar Farm being developed in central Victoria.

The Capacity Investment Scheme South Australia-Victoria tender is now open for bids. Renewable energy storage projects must be located in either of the states and have a minimum storage duration of two hours and a minimum size of 30 MW.