Sustainability

The introduction of the Federal Government’s climate change bill to parliament has been welcomed with business and industry groups predicting the legislation will unlock hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of export opportunities and investments in renewable energy, transmission and storage across Australia.

Solar manufacturer Maxeon Solar Technologies has teamed with Adelaide-headquartered solar panel collection and recycling company Reclaim PV Recycling to recover and recycle SunPower branded solar panels in Australia.

Energy efficient homes, like those with solar panels, fetch, on average, a premium of over 17% in Australia – though that figure grows to 28.9% in Queensland and 24% in Victoria, according to a report from real estate company Domain.

India will see a cumulative demand for around 600 GWh of lithium-ion batteries from 2021 to 2030 across all segments. The recycling volume coming from the deployment of these batteries will be 125 GWh by 2030.

Former Australian prime minister Malcom Turnbull has joined the advisory board of resurrected American concentrated solar thermal energy company GlassPoint as it looks to target mining and manufacturing companies with its clean energy technology.

An international research team has developed a new methodology to increase levels of pollination at ground-mounted solar plants. It involves the development of new vegetated land cover below and around solar parks.

Researchers at Melbourne’s Deakin University have discovered a novel way to separate, store and transport large amounts of gas. The method, they say, is efficient, affordable and creates no waste – carrying huge implications for the burgeoning green hydrogen industry and for the energy transition at large.

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.