Grids & Integration

Speculations that delayed financial results spelled troubles have proved remarkably accurate – one of Australia’s leading EPC contractors has taken a huge write-down on two Queensland solar projects, and reported $16 million net loss.

As part of its state-wide microgrid funding promise, the Labor Government has allocated a total of $980,000 for the Ovida Community Energy Hub project, which will install shared solar PV and battery systems in three multi-tenanted buildings in Melbourne.

In its 2018 Electricity Statement of Opportunities (ESOO), the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has warned of a heightened risk of power failure during summer peak-demand periods, based on refinements in weather forecasting and reduced reliability of ageing fossil fuel generators.  

Solar power will be traded across the meter among four participating entities at Bangkok’s T77 precinct – a shopping centre, international school, serviced apartments and a dental hospital.

The driving force behind the innovative energy storage system installed at Amsterdam’s John Cruiff ArenA in the Netherlands, The Mobility House (TMH), talks to pv magazine about the death of the combustion engine, and how electric vehicles (EVs) are presenting both strong business cases, and unparalleled levels of flexibility via decentralized intelligence – blockchain technology – for electricity grids around the world.

An energy production and trading scheme designed for the Tonsley Innovation District in Adelaide will incorporate one of Australia’s largest rooftop solar arrays to provide energy to businesses and homes within the growing precinct.

In its annual reports, the Australian Energy Market Commission has proposed a number of changes to tighten Australia’s power system and improve reliability and regulation, reflecting on opportunities and challenges created by a significant increase in the uptake of distributed energy resources. The new recommendations are likely to encourage network development towards P2P energy trading, VPPs and electric vehicle charging.

Farms affected by power outages in the McKinlay Shire, north-western Queensland, can now go off grid – through a new solar+storage containerised solution from Germany’s Intech.

Perth-based blockchain startup Power Ledger has announced its first carbon credit project as part of its partnership with Chicago-based startup Clean Energy Blockchain Network and in collaboration with California’s municipal utility Silicon Valley Power. The company’s platform will manage credits generated by the use of solar energy in electric vehicle charging.

The 2018 Ecosummit Berlin, a EU cleantech startup platform, focussed on smart green energy and mobility. Of the 99 speakers, 69 were startups presenting innovative solutions to a changing energy economy, catering to the needs of end-customers, developers and utilities alike.