Transgrid reaches major milestone on $2.3 billion ‘energy superhighway’
Construction of the New South Wales section of Australia’s largest energy transmission project has reached a major milestone with the first of an estimated 1,500 new transmission towers that will form a key element of the $2.3 billion (USD 1.53 billion) EnergyConnect project installed near Buronga in the state’s far west.
SunWiz reports residential battery installs at record high
Record numbers of battery energy storage systems were installed in Australian homes and businesses in 2022 with energy industry consultancy SunWiz reporting more than 47,000 residential batteries were installed across the country last year, a 55% increase on the previous year.
Investigating load scenarios for grid-forming inverters
A consortium led by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) will test grid-forming inverters at a large-scale PV facility in southern Germany. The aim of the first tests is to examine the performance of the devices under real operating conditions, stress factors, and typical stress profiles.
India surpasses 64 GW of installed solar capacity
The Indian states of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Karnataka now account for more than 50% of the nation’s cumulative installed solar capacity.
WA government utility acquires 50% stake in local solar business
Western Australia’s regional utility, Horizon Power, has bought a 50% stake in local solar company West Australian Alternative Energy.
Free solar training and mentorships on offer in Victoria
As part of its $1.3 billion (USD 87 million) Solar Homes Program, the Victorian government has launched an initiative to upskill electricians, electrical engineers and licensed electrical inspectors to encourage them to take on more solar work.
CSIRO says Australia’s storage capacity must grow tenfold, urges alternative technologies
Australia’s national science agency, the CSIRO, estimates the country could require a 10 to 14-fold increase in its electricity storage capacity between 2025-2050. It has released its energy storage report, forecasting demand in different sectors and summarising storage technologies.
Renewable investor’s new platform to diversify and streamline assets attracts superfund backing
Australian super funds Hesta and Aware Super have become minority partners into a newly launched renewable energy platform, Intera Renewables. Orchestrated by infrastructure manager Palisade Investment Partners, the fund aims to provide investors with diversified assets in terms of location, technology and offtakers, targeting stable returns and funding for new projects.
South Korea cuts capacity allocations from 4 GW to 2 GW in solar tenders
South Korea has cut its 2030 renewable energy target from 30.2% to just 21.6%, as it seeks to reduce support for solar and other clean energy sources, while preparing the ground for more nuclear power and liquefied natural gas. A lobby group is now challenging the plan in the Seoul Administrative Court.
Brookfield buys Origin, plans to build a fifth of Australia’s renewable needs by 2030
A $18.7 billion (USD 12.5 billion) takeover deal for Origin Energy has been struck with a consortium led by Canadian giant Brookfield. Brookfield’s vision for Origin involves spending “at least” $20 billion to build new renewables and storage, using Origin and its customer base as a vehicle for transition.
