BZE backs shared infrastructure to slash cost of clean energy shift
Economic modelling published by independent think tank Beyond Zero Emissions shows that establishing clean industry hubs and servicing them through shared infrastructure such as transmission lines could save Australian taxpayers millions.
AEMC proposes raising price caps to ensure market reliability over energy transition
The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) has proposed increasing price caps on the country’s main electricity market. This is meant to allow investors to respond to fill gaps created by ageing coal generation.
Substantial increase in solar fires caused by DC isolators recorded in state data
Data shows a sharp increase in the number of fires caused by the DC isolators that separate the grid from solar panels. ABC News gathered state-by-state data revealing a dramatic increase in fire incidents in the last 12 months.
‘No transition policy is going to be realised with current strategies’: shifting focus to existing grid’s untapped 10 GW
New digital modelling technology has made visible 10 GW of untapped capacity in Australia’s existing electricity networks. “That 10 GW number is probably achievable without any meaningful incremental cost investment,” Neara cofounder Jack Curtis tells pv magazine Australia. “This is something that’s really only come into awareness of policy makers, and even the private sector, in past six months.”
Distributed PV, battery storage curtailment in low-voltage networks
University of New South Wales (UNSW) researchers have looked at energy losses in South Australia and have identified average curtailment of 1.5% for distributed PV sites and 0.2% for distributed PV coupled with batteries, but some locations experience generation losses of up to 25%.
Weekend read: the case for batteries Down Under
Australian residential power prices have surged up to 25% this year. With solar rooftops booming as a result, Nikhil Jayaraj, managing director of Regen Power, looks at whether home batteries will keep pace.
300 MWh Amp Energy battery secures grid connection agreement in SA
Amp Energy’s 150 MW / 300 MWh battery storage project in Bungama, north of Adelaide, has secured a grid connection agreement with South Australia’s grid operator and owner ElectraNet.
New funding deal sees focus shift for Marinus Link
The initial capacity of the proposed Marinus Link transmission project, that would connect Tasmania and the Australian mainland via an undersea electricity interconnector, has been reduced by 50% as part of new funding arrangements announced by the federal and state governments.
Allume lands $2.3 million to support roll out of Solshare tech in U.S.
Australian solar technology company Allume Energy estimates that its behind-the-meter Solshare platform can help residents in multi-unit buildings save up to 40% on their electricity bills.
Smart meter reforms including free data access and accelerated rollout to be effected by AEMC
Smart meter reform recommendations have been handed down by the Australian Energy Market Commission, which advised accelerating the national rollout and introducing a mandate for customers to have free access to their real-time data. Reaching 100% penetration by 2030 would provide $507 million (USD 328 million) net benefit value to the NEM, the Commission’s review found.
