Sustainability

Australia’s State of the Environment report was released today, after its publication was delayed by the former Morrison government until after the federal election. The review, completed by scientists last year, was described by the new environment and water minister, Tanya Plibersek, has a “shocking document” showing Australia’s environment has been deteriorating and is in poor condition. Professors from the University of Sydney and University of New South Wales present the findings.

Geelong oil refinery owner Viva Energy is driving ahead with plans to establish Australia’s first publicly accessible commercial green hydrogen refuelling station in Victoria, announcing it has placed a $5.93 million (€4 million) purchase order with Norwegian company Nel Hydrogen for the supply of a 2.5 MW electrolyser.

South Australia is closing fast on its target to be powered by 100% net renewables by the end of the decade with new data revealing a combination of wind and solar energy provided a daily average of almost 70% of the state’s electricity needs last financial year.

A campaign to ban fossil fuel advertising and sponsorships has launched in Australia supported by a number of healthcare and environmental groups.

Interest and investment in heat pumps has surged in Europe, but in Australia the technology has struggled to find a serious foothold. Industrial heat pumps could reduce ‘hard to abate’ emissions here by 15 million tonnes per annum by 2050, according to new modelling from the Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity though. Despite the potential, dodgy technology suppliers and schemes gone awry have left a bad taste in Australia’s mouth, CEO Jarrod Leak tells pv magazine Australia.

Australia’s national science agency has reaffirmed integrated wind and solar PV remain the cheapest new-build electricity generation options but warned inflationary pressures and ongoing supply chain disruptions are likely to stall any further cost reductions for at least 12 months.

Porsche-backed HIF Global has lodged plans with Tasmania’s Environment Protection Authority to build a renewables-powered green hydrogen facility in the state’s north-west that would be used to produce a “highly competitive” e-fuel, or electricity-based fuel, that can be directly substituted for fossil fuels in conventional car engines.

Singapore’s Energy Market Authority has already attracted proposals for 1.2 GW of renewable electricity, to be generated in four southeast Asian nations, and wants to raise that figure to 4 GW by 2035.

Rooftop solar systems are cheaper then centralised ground mounted systems for remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory, a new report funded by ARENA and APVI has found. The report, however, did not examine the question of community benefit in its scope – something Alan Langworthy, who has long worked in energy in the NT, told pv magazine Australia is absolutely vital.

The Victorian government has published its Gas Substitution Roadmap detailing regulatory and policy reform designed to help Australia’s biggest gas-consuming state fast-track its transition towards a renewable energy future and navigate the path to net-zero emissions.