IEEFA update: Even as forecasts signal decline in global thermal coal markets, Australia courts new mines
IEEFA supports new bill prohibiting the opening up of thermal coal mining in Queensland’s Galilee Basin
Tesla acquires storage specialist Maxwell Technologies
Maxwell, which specializes in supercapacitors, will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Elon Musk’s business.
Eni enters Aussie renewables market with acquisition of NT largest solar farm
Diversifying its gas-focused portfolio Down Under, the Italian oil group has acquired the Northern Territory’s largest solar project – the 33.7 MWp Katherine Solar Farm.
Deakin University breaks ground on 7.25 MW solar-powered microgrid
The first sod has been turned on a $30 million smart microgrid which is to power Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds Campus. The project, featuring a 7 MW solar farm and a 1 MW battery, is delivered in partnership with AusNet Services and its subsidiary Mondo with the goal to provide an integrated research and education platform, and contribute to the university’s sustainability goals.
Japanese scientists seek to lower costs of PV-powered hydrogen
A research team has conducted a demonstration of economic feasibility for battery-assisted, low-cost hydrogen production from solar energy. The scientists claim their system will mean hydrogen can be produced for $0.15-0.25 per cubic meter.
Western Australia launches strategy to fuel battery industry
With li-ion battery supply chains stretched by the rapid EV and energy storage uptake, Western Australia is looking to position itself at the forefront of global battery manufacturing. The state government has launched a strategy to grow WA’s future battery industry, which includes plans for an investment attraction strategy.
Indonesia’s Terregra readies to break ground on its second SA solar farm
After it launched construction on its first solar project in Australia last month, Indonesia’s Terregra Renewables is all set to break ground on another 5 MW solar farm in South Australia.
Germany installed almost 3 GW of solar in 2018
PV demand grew 68% year-on-year from the level seen in 2017 as Germany’s cumulative installed solar generation capacity reached 45.92 GW.
Senate warns Australia will be left behind in EV uptake
A flagship report from the Senate Committee on Electric Vehicles (EV) has called on the federal government to adopt a strategy that will accelerate EV uptake in Australia, and implement new vehicle emissions standards to encourage manufacturers to sell more EVs. Since a growing EV fleet could pose a challenge to the grid, solar is set to assume an important role in flattening out the demand and supply curve.
ClearVue PV trials a solar portal to the future
Australian retail landlord, Vicinity Centres, has remodelled the northern entry of one of its shopping centres with an energy-generating glass atrium in a world-first commercial application of technology developed by Perth-based company ClearVue PV.
