Shell completes acquisition of Sprng Energy
Energy company Shell has completed the acquisition of Solenergi Power, an Actis company owning 100% of Indian renewables developer Sprng Energy. The transaction value is US$1.55 billion (AU$2.22 billion), with half as cash Capex and the remainder as debt obligations.
WA rolls out management system to quadruple rooftop solar potential in regions, underpin 100% renewable microgrids
Horizon Power, the state government owned electricity provider for much of regional Western Australia, is set to rollout energy management technology which integrates the utility’s assets with distributed energy resources. The technology, which uses predictive analytics, hopes to unlock access to renewables in the regions.
Queensland pumped hydro & battery storage facility selects EPC
US engineering company Bechtel will support planning for proposed Queensland pumped hydro and energy storage facility, Big-T, at Lake Cressbrook in the state’s southeast. The project involves a 400 MW pumped hydro facility with 10 hours of storage and a 200 MW/200 MWh battery system.
Hunter Valley hydrogen hub vision balloons with AGL & FFI considering up to 2 GW
Bringing on board gas giants APA Group, Inpex Corporation, Osaka Gas and distributor Jemena, AGL and Fortescue Future Industries say their Hunter Valley coal to hydrogen hub conversions could be as large as 2 GW – though the insistence on green hydrogen does appear somewhat muddied by the new partnerships.
Rio Tinto mulls 4 GW of renewable proposals for its Queensland operations
Miner Rio Tinto has received offers to build more than 4 GW of solar and wind capacity after the company sought proposals to help it cut carbon emissions at its Queensland operations.
Study finds 100% renewables would pay off within six years
New research from Stanford University researcher Mark Jacobson outlines how 145 countries could meet 100% of their business-as-usual energy needs with wind, water, solar and energy storage. The study finds that in all the countries considered, lower-cost energy and other benefits mean the required investment for transition is paid off within six years. The study also estimates that worldwide, such a transition would create 28 million more jobs than it lost.
Magnesium superionic conductor for lithium-free solid-state batteries
Scientists in Japan have developed a novel metal-organic, framework-based magnesium ion conductor with superionic conductivity, even at room temperature.
New research shifts sodium batteries from risky liquid to safe solid
Researchers from Deakin University in Victoria have announced a breakthrough in the development of new polymer electrolyte chemistries that they believe could pave the way for a safer and cheaper alternative to current lithium-ion battery energy storage technologies.
CEFC commits $200 million for SME investments in clean energy
The Australian government’s green bank has extended its collaboration with the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, committing up to $200 million as part of a clean energy asset purchasing program to help Australian businesses invest in energy efficient and renewable technologies to cut costs and reduce emissions.
Wave Swell Energy trial delivers conversion rates of up to 50%
Australian renewables company Wave Swell Energy says the time has come for wave power to sit alongside wind, solar and energy storage as part of a modern energy mix after a 12-month trial of its technology in the seas of Bass Strait produced an average rate of conversion from ocean energy to electricity of up to 50%.
