128.5 MW solar hybrid plant reaches financial close in South Australia
Vena Energy Australia has reached financial close on the second stage of its Tailem Bend 2 Hybrid Project thanks to a PPA with Zen Energy and green financial support from DBS, ING, and Siemens. The 128.5 MW project will comprise 87 MW of solar with 41.5 MW of battery energy storage.
Indian state of Gujarat tenders 1.5 GW of solar
Solar developers have until Aug. 23 to bid for the rights to build up to 1.5 GW of grid-connected solar projects under 25-year power purchase agreements.
Greens begin formal negotiations on Labor’s climate bill
The Greens party says it will now begin “formal negotiations” with the Labor government on its climate bill, raising concerns about what it deems an inadequate 43% emissions reduction target and allowance for new coal and gas projects.
Fears skill shortages may delay Australia’s renewable progress
Concerns Australia’s skills shortage will impact the new federal government’s hallmark $20 billion Rewiring the Nation program, as well as the clean energy transition more generally, have been raised at the Australian Clean Energy Summit in Sydney.
Gas from Sydney’s wastewater soon to hit the city’s network
Sydney is close to having its first ‘renewable’ gas – converted from wastewater’s raw biogas into biomethane. The gas is to be produced at the Malabar Wastewater Resource Recovery Plant, with the trial the result of partnerships between ARENA, the NSW government, Sydney Water and Jemena.
Octopus announces $10 billion renewable investment funds, acquires Australia’s largest solar project
Octopus Investments Australia, a subsidiary of the major global Octopus Group, today launched two renewable energy investment vehicles totalling $10 billion. The Octopus funds’ first joint acquisition is Australia’s largest operational solar farm, the 333 MW Darlington Point Solar Farm in New South Wales.
Novel method to turn existing solar parks into agrivoltaic facilities
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.
Sodium-ion batteries for EVs, renewables storage
US scientist have developed a new electrolyte design for sodium-ion batteries to improve their long cycling performance. The low-solvation electrolyte was designed for high-voltage sodium-ion batteries, which retained 90% of their capacity after 300 cycles.
Tesla reveals surging Powerwall numbers as it gears up to double EV sales
Tesla chair Robyn Denholm expects the company to double its EV sales in Australia by the year’s end, hoping to see its flagship product catch up to its Powerwall sales. Denholm also said Australia needs to expand its lithium refining and processing capacity at “sprinting pace” to properly capture the global battery opportunity.
‘Entirely novel’ mechanochemical breakthrough for storing hydrogen
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.
