CSIRO confirms solar, wind cheapest options for new-build power
Solar PV and wind are the cheapest sources of energy in Australia and a new CSIRO report predicts they will continue to win the new electricity generation price war well into the future.
Vanadium flow battery technology put to test in South Australia
Australia’s first utility-scale vanadium flow battery will be built in regional South Australia and will demonstrate the technology’s potential to provide energy and frequency control ancillary services (FCAS) for the national grid.
New research gauges Australia’s battery energy storage pipeline at 7 GW
New analysis from Cornwall Insight Australia has put Australia’s current battery energy storage pipeline at 7 GW. Of course, the vast majority of that projection is still firmly in the proposal phase, but the over 900 MW of energy storage thought to be developed by 2024 is still far in excess of AEMO’s ISP 2020 forecast, begging the question, how is the NEM going to fit it all in?
Taylor’s latest emissions data lashed as ‘woefully inadequate’
New emissions reduction “projections” released by the Federal Government show Australia is on track to achieve its Paris 2030 target but the figures have been condemned with environmental organisation Greenpeace describing them as “woefully inadequate”.
Leaked government report highlights risks with EV taxes
Plans to introduce new taxes for electric vehicles (EVs) have been undermined by a leaked government paper which warns applying new charges without other support for the technology could discourage Australia’s move to electric and low-emissions vehicles.
Australia’s largest privately owned shopping centre signs solar deal
Another Australian shopping centre has joined the rush to renewables with the Narellan Town Centre in western Sydney set to undergo a $40 million solar transformation after signing a 30-year energy partnership with CEP.Energy.
New module on Australian market promises efficiency increase
South Korean PV manufacturer Hanwha Q Cells has launched a new high-density module in Australia, claiming its ‘zero-gap’ technology elevates solar efficiency up to 21.1%
Why module cleaning makes all the difference
The regular cleaning of solar modules results is optimized power output and protects installations against costly failures. There are multiple approaches to module cleaning, both low-and-high tech. Pol Duthoit from SolarCleano sets out the need and the options.
Advanced assurance for modules in hot, humid conditions
With PV manufacturer warranties being extended and new novel designs coming on to the market at greater frequency, the quality assurance practices standing behind claims are becoming increasingly important. A new program from TÜV Rheinland is looking to provide the assurance that installers, distributors and project developers need – particularly in the hot and humid environments proven to push the boundaries of module durability.
Oz Minerals’ West Musgrave Project set to become ‘one of the largest fully off-grid renewable powered mines in the world.’
Oz Minerals has long said that it was looking at a hybrid fossil fuel-solar-wind solution to power its massive West Musgrave Project. This week the miner has announced that it is now developing a roadmap to power the project with 100% renewables with the addition of a battery in what the company says could be one of the world’s largest fully off-grid renewably powered mines.
