The time is ripe, Coles’ $43 million ripening facility reaps solar harvest
The construction of Coles’ state-of-the-art ripening facility in Melbourne is complete with the installation of a 600 kW system. The energy-efficient facility is able to ripen fruit from North Queensland as needed, cutting greenhouse gas emissions and food wastage.
WA Recovery Plan commits $22 million toward green hydrogen initiatives
Western Australia’s Recovery Plan continues to grow greenery as more renewable aspects of the state’s stimulus package come to light, specifically solar light that is. The state government has committed $22 million toward nine green hydrogen initiatives across the state, while also bringing forward its Renewable Hydrogen Strategy targets a decade and topping up the green hydrogen fund.
Engie renewable PPA starts greening Australia’s mining-industry supply chain
Weir Minerals Australia, a supplier of engineered solutions to the mining industry, has achieved electricity price stability and savings, and taken a first big leap towards sustainability with the signing of an innovative power purchase agreement with energy provider Engie.
Fly me to the sun, Melbourne Airport’s record solar farm
As Covid-19 decimates the aviation industry, Melbourne Airport is set to make significant savings on its energy costs with the installation of a 12.4 MW solar farm, one of Australia’s largest behind-the-meter arrays, which will be able to power all four of the airport’s terminals.
Shareholders call on AGL to accelerate coal station closures
The Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility (ACCA), a shareholder advocacy group, has filed a Shareholder Resolution to AGL Energy calling for the expedited closure of its Bayswater and Loy Yang A coal-fired power stations. ACCA says that AGL’s own modelling contradicts both its climate commitment and its fiduciary responsibility.
CEFC takes stock of the future, backs Australian Climate Transition Index
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation is set to become the cornerstone investor in a BNP Paribas’ issuance $140 million in new Australian green bonds through its Australian Climate Transition Index, an index for investors to parse the companies that will survive and thrive into a decarbonised future from those who will decay and die.
Kalgoorlie high school set to be first in Schools VPP pilot project
The Schools Virtual Power Plant pilot project, part of the WA Government’s $66.3 million investment in solar and batteries in its WA Recovery Plan from the impacts of Covid-19, will see ten schools transformed into VPPs. The two year trial is expected to bring reduced electricity bills to schools, improved grid stability, and increased solar uptake in the local community.
Shell Australia acquires carbon farming business Select Carbon
The Anglo-Dutch power company will buy Perth-based environmental specialist Select Carbon as part of a broader ambition to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 or sooner.
CSIRO report shows flightpath to hydrogen fuelled commercial aviation
With the disruption of Covid-19 highlighting the climatic impact of the aviation industry, a recent report from the CSIRO funded by Boeing shows that hydrogen fuel’s technological momentum could see clean hydrogen used in airports by as early as 2025, and a full transition from conventional jet fuel by 2050.
How solar is securing rural bushfire ‘last resorts’
The Hepburn Recreation Reserve has been recently fitted out with a solar installation accompanied by a Tesla Powerwall 2. The combined system is not only a great result for the local sports clubs, it also helps Hepburn Shire on its way to 100% renewables, and what is more, also secures the important facility as a ‘last resort’ for the community during a bushfire.
