News

Australian engineer Daniel Westerman has been chosen to head the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) as the nation continues to navigate a rapid transformation of the generation mix.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency is funding Jemena to the tune of $1.6 million toward a new trial in which various electricity networks in Victoria, ACT, and Tasmania will manage residential EV charging to better prepare the grid for a time when mass charging will take place at peak periods.

The tide of clean energy facilities planned under the city’s next five-year strategy was revealed by Hong Kong-listed polysilicon maker Xinte Energy, which has signed a framework agreement to construct 200,000 tons of manufacturing capacity near Inner Mongolia’s largest city.

Energy consultancy DNV GL has published new results comparing the performance of modules based on 166mm, 182mm and 210mm silicon cells. The assessment compares Trina Solar’s Vertex modules, which use the largest cell dimension, with unnamed competitors utilising the other two sizes. Results from system simulations show a clear advantage for the two larger sizes, with 210mm edging ahead in terms of levelised cost of electricity.

A lengthy battle over land use is set to be reignited with renewable energy developer Infinergy Pacific lodging a revised planning application with the Victorian Government for a 200 MW solar farm and battery storage facility in the state’s southwest.

Australia’s record-breaking uptake of small-scale rooftop solar and growing interest in home battery systems almost guarantee virtual power plants (VPP) will play a key role in the nation’s energy system into the future and Energy Networks Australia (ENA) has identified the “blueprint” for their successful integration into the grid.

Australian Gas Networks (AGN) has revealed detailed plans to introduce renewable hydrogen into the existing natural gas networks in both Victoria and Western Australia after the first production of green hydrogen at its $11.4 million Hydrogen Park South Australia.

Chinese inverter maker Sungrow has switched on a 6 MW / 21 MWh solar-plus-storage facility on the island. The FIT project’s connected AC capacity is limited to only 845 kW, but the containerised storage solution provided by the company ensures its viability.

Like a flight simulator for power system designers, the Hitachi ABB facility is now in the hands of the Northern Territory’s Charles Darwin University where it will help build knowledge and capability on the Territory’s road to 50% renewable electricity by 2030.

Reclaim PV is a step closer to ensuring solar generation lives up to the promise of providing clean energy throughout its lifecycle, and that repurposing of its component materials becomes viable.