Sustainability

Historic meteorological data is typically used to assess solar farm yield and secure project finance, but with climate change beginning to affect every aspect of society, past weather data may no longer be a reliable guide. Everoze Partner Nastasia Pacaut looks at how PV projects can be future-proofed in a changing climate.

Australian retailing major Officeworks has flicked the switch on its first behind-the-meter rooftop solar and battery energy storage system as it works towards using only renewable electricity to power operations by 2025 as part of its ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030.

Scientists in Belgium are exploring the potential of recycled silicon in solar modules at the end of their life cycle for reuse in low-cost, higher-energy-density storage technologies. They claim EV batteries using this silicon may allow faster recharging and travel longer distances on a single charge.

The changing hands of Australia’s biggest ‘gentailers’ continues, with Mike Cannon-Brookes’ Grok Ventures reducing its stake in AGL, while Macquarie is reportedly in talks to acquire up to a 50% stake in EnergyAustralia.

The CSIRO has run an internal ‘Shark Tank’-style competition which will see it test semi-transparent, printed solar films at its greenhouses to assess whether the technology can be used to enhance crops’ growth and cut emissions.

French renewables developer Neoen has won a 197 MW / 4-hour duration storage contract with AEMO. The contract pertains to the Collie big battery in WA’s south west, with Stage 1 to be operating commercially by October 2024.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory researchers have shown that microgrids equipped with solar-plus-storage systems can maintain an average levelised cost of energy (LCOE) below USD 0.30/kWh and limit annual public safety power shutoffs to 2% to 3% of annual energy demand.

Some of the renewable energy industry’s biggest players have donated equipment, expertise and time to provide a solar and storage solution to help preserve and protect the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world’s seven natural wonders.

The insolvency of a major Australian solar recycler has highlighted the complexity of remodelling a linear-thinking industry and society into a circular one, reports pv magazine Australia’s Bella Peacock.

The West Australian government has utilised investor hunger for green bonds to help secure funding for major state government projects geared towards decarbonisation or environmentally sustainable outcomes as it transitions from coal-fired power to renewables.