Lightsource bp begins construction on two solar farms in Australia’s east
Lightsource bp will reach financial close on its 400 MW (DC) Wellington North solar farm in New South Wales and its 90 MW Wunghnu Solar Farm in Victoria by the end of 2022, making it one of Australia’s largest solar developers.
Energy ministers’ move puts onus on emissions reductions
Energy ministers from around the country have powered up Australia’s shift from coal and gas to a renewables-based grid with a national agreement to enshrine emissions reductions objectives into laws governing the nation’s energy market.
Traditional hydrogen blending could damage gas pipelines, say researchers
UK researchers have revealed that gaseous hydrogen could cause problems in natural gas pipelines, while electrolyser manufacturer Nel has announced plans to build a second production line in Norway.
China’s green finance market topped $4 billion in H1
Deutsche Bank has revealed that China’s green finance market surpassed CNY 20 trillion (AU$4.07 billion) in value in the first half of 2022. Haitai Solar has listed shares in Beijing, while Shangji has revealed plans for a new polysilicon project in Inner Mongolia.
Weekend read: Flowing into the lithium supply gap
Australian-born vanadium redox flow technology and new homegrown electrolyte sources are set to bulk up renewable energy storage options in the Pacific region and plug the gap left by lithium supply-chain issues. Natalie Filatoff reports from Sydney.
Council initiatives help accelerate transition to renewable energy
Local government associations continue to drive Australia’s shift towards renewable energy with councils around the country unveiling a series of clean energy projects, ranging from solar PV and storage installs, to solar panel recycling initiatives and long-term power purchase agreements.
Jet Charge wins contract for ‘world’s longest’ EV fast-charging network
Western Australia’s electric vehicle fast-charging network has reached an important milestone with the state government awarding Melbourne-based company Jet Charge a $4.1 million contract to create what will be the world’s longest continuously connected electric highway.
Solar on radar as REP unveils large-scale project for southwest Queensland
Australian clean energy developer Renewable Energy Partners will investigate opportunities to incorporate solar PV and a big battery as part of its plan to develop a 600 MW wind farm in the Western Downs region of Queensland.
Growing consensus on 100% renewables
An international group of researchers from 15 universities has said that there is growing consensus among scientists that an energy system based on 100% renewables could be achieved cost effectively by 2050.
Supply chain difficulties translate into losses for SMA
SMA’s Home Solutions segment was particularly badly hit as the PV inverter manufacturer struggled to meet the demand due to the shortage of materials. The sales and results in the first half of 2022 were therefore significantly worse than in 2021. The company now wants to take “a series of measures to improve its long-term ability to deliver.”
