Rystad says cost looms as hurdle for green hydrogen industry
Australia’s determination to establish itself as a major player in the green hydrogen market has seen a flood of government funding and announced projects in recent months but new analysis from international consultancy firm Rystad Energy has highlighted a potential hurdle for the industry.
Victoria declares ‘energy emergency’ with Yallourn Power Station at risk
Australia’s coal-fired power generators are again in the spotlight with the Victorian government declaring a state “energy emergency” as damage caused by recent flooding in the Latrobe Valley threatens the ongoing viability of the 1.48 GW Yallourn power station.
NSW to invest record $380 million for renewable energy rollout
The New South Wales government will allocate $380 million in next week’s budget to help fuel investment in large-scale renewable energy as it continues its transition away from coal-fired generators.
FRV builds on Australian portfolio with Dalby solar-storage hybrid power plant
Saudi-owned renewable energy developer Fotowatio Renewable Ventures continues to build upon its Australian portfolio, commencing construction on a 5 MW solar-storage hybrid power plant near Dalby in southern Queensland.
Aldi takes first place in supermarket race to 100% renewables
Aldi Australia committed to reaching 100% renewable energy for its operations by the end of 2021, it’s done that with six months to spare. Achieved through an unprecedented commercial solar rollout, PPAs with two wind farms, and renewable energy certificates, the German discount supermarket beat out its competitors and is now preventing 274,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
Organic solar cell with 18.4% efficiency via new electrode coating
Saudi scientists built the cell’s electrode with a hole-transporting molecule called Br-2PACz and not with the commonly used PEDOT:PSS. It helped improve the photovoltaic cell efficiency by around 0.9%.
Out-of-the-box Australian selected to be one of eight in World Hydrogen Advisory Board
Andrew Horvath, Global Chairman of hydrogen technology company Star Scientific, has been selected by the global Sustainable Energy Council to be one of the eight leaders on its World Hydrogen Advisory Board. “I’m the only Aussie!” Horvath told pv magazine Australia.
Solar panels installed across 59 bus and train stations in Perth
Over 1000 kW of solar capacity is being installed atop 59 Western Australian train and bus stations, with work already completed at a number of the sites.
Has China extended solar grid-connection deadlines by a year?
Such a decision, which industry body the CPIA is adamant has already been announced, could make all the difference to investors struggling with a surge in equipment costs fuelled by the polysilicon shortage. The all-important National Energy Administration, however, has yet to confirm whether the CPIA’s interpretation is correct.
Gravity-based storage for distributed solar
An international research team has designed a residential solar-plus-storage system based on gravity. The system was built with a solar power generator, a bulk booster charge controller, an inverter, a solenoid device, a deep cycle battery, a pulley block, a geared motor, a microcontroller, and wire ropes. Its creators said the system is ideal for regions with high solar radiation. They found that, due to its high electrical requirements, the system needs to rely on high-power solar modules with an output of over 500 W.
