Changing the metrics of desirability: Melbourne’s Burwood Brickworks achieves momentous certification
The eastern suburbs of Melbourne are now home to the most certifiably sustainable shopping centre in the world. But to think of it only in those terms hardly does the project justice – rather, Melbourne is now home to a building which defies the limits of its own concept, imploring people to reconsider the value metrics through which space, cities and perhaps even lifestyles are appraised.
Error in ‘solar tax’ calculations may leave homes with no export profits, analysis finds
The impacts of Australia’s proposed “solar tax” may have been greatly underestimated, according to a report from the Victoria Energy Policy Centre. The institute says proposed rule change is “likely to leave solar homes with little or no income from rooftop solar exports” as feed-in tariffs drop.
South Australia sets record as rooftop solar sees electricity prices consistently plunge below zero
Rooftop solar has caused South Australia’s average daytime prices fell below zero consistently for the first time in the NEM’s history, the Australian Energy Market Operator said in its quarterly report released today.
Brisbane-based tech firm and University of Queensland team up to transform energy storage
The ‘Graphene Revolution’ is drawing near in energy storage, the sector where it is arguably needed most. Univeristy of Queensland scientists who devised aluminium-ion batteries with graphene electrodes have teamed up with Brisbane-based Graphene Manufacturing Group to push the technology into the commercial prototype phase, a potentially early marker for a technology that could transform energy storage.
Europe moves on green hydrogen, developing offshore pipeline as Germany adds electrolysis capacity
Germany’s first offshore hydrogen pipeline is being planned by multiple partnering companies and is expected to be commissioned in 2035. Meanwhile, Siemens is planning hydrogen projects in a 5 MW to 50 MW range for industrial applications and a consortium of conglomerates is maintaining pressure on EU to develop green hydrogen.
Longi unveils two PV modules for distributed generation
The two new products will be part of the Hi-MO4m panel series for rooftop applications. Their efficiency ranges from 19.2% to 21.2%.
Deakin University’s enterprising plans for its new microgrid
Microgrids afford an opportunity to essentially become a power station operator. That opportunity, says Dr Adrian Panow, the Director of Deakin’s Energy Initiative, unearths a number of urgent questions ranging from the technical all the way to the ethical. They are questions cross-faculty researchers at Deakin University, now home to a sizeable microgrid, plan to interrogate.
Melbourne company signs deals to position itself as Australia’s leading carbon-free green hydrogen transporter
Melbourne-company Trojan H2 Logistics has today announced two separate industry deals to deliver both fuel-cell hydrogen transport trucks as well as hydrogen refuelling stations along Australia’s East Coast.
Victorian government launches VPP pilot program
Victoria’s Andrews Government has launched a battery aggregation pilot program which seeks to build an “approved aggregation provider list” alongside the Solar Homes battery rebate. The Victorian Government sees the future of virtual power plants and microgrids and this is an opportunity for both consumers and providers to benefit.
Europe’s largest PV plant takes shape
The project, called the Trillo photovoltaic complex, is located in Spain and will have an installed capacity of 626 MW. Construction is scheduled to begin on May 7.
