Rooftop solar installs rebound with record 302 MW rolled out
Australia’s roll out of rooftop solar has climbed to a record high with households and businesses bolting on almost 302 MW of generation capacity in July, up 23% on the previous month.
Japanese appliance manufacturer snaps up Byron’s Smart Energy
Byron Bay-founded supplier and installer of residential rooftop solar and battery systems Smart Energy has been snapped up by Japanese appliance maker Rinnai Corporation as it seeks to establish a “robust presence” in Australia’s renewable energy sector.
Queensland researchers recover silver from PV waste via green graphene
Researchers at Queensland’s James Cook University have developed a process to synthesise graphene from tangerine peel oil, which they then used to recover silver from waste PV material.
Regulator approves reduced budget for Humelink transmission project
The Australian Energy Regulator has approved final costs for the next stage of Transgrid’s multi-billion-dollar Humelink transmission project but slashed the budget for the construction of the 500 kV line by more than $3 million.
Marinus Link locks in completion date for 750 MW interconnector
Marinus Link has locked in a 2030 completion date for the high-voltage Tasmania-Victoria power interconnection project after signing a deal worth more than $1 billion with the world’s largest cable maker.
Bondi battery marks step change for energy storage says Ausgrid
New South Wales distribution network service provider Ausgrid has powered up a 160 kW / 412 kWh battery energy storage system in the eastern Sydney suburb of Bondi, describing it as a “fundamental shift” in the evolution of community batteries.
New battery sizing approach for virtual synchronous generators, control-based grid-forming inverters
A team of researchers in Western Australia has outlined a new methodology to determine the minimum power rating of energy storage systems used for emergency under-frequency response. The ESS size must be calculated to maintain the frequency within the standard operating range.
Stanwell advances renewables strategy with first solar O&M contract
A subsidiary of Queensland government-owned electricity generator Stanwell Corporation, which operates two of the state’s largest coal-fired power stations, has signed a five-year contract to maintain the Collinsville Solar Farm as part of its energy transition strategy.
Versatile lithium-ion can unpick gridlock
The Swiss Army knife qualities of lithium-ion batteries have helped scale the technology. Now their ubiquitous nature means they are ideally placed to help electricity system operators balance the grid, argues Gerard Reid, co-founder and partner of Alexa Capital.
Fuel retailer gets $100 million transport emissions reduction boost
Australian fuel retailer Ampol has committed to a multitude of decarbonisation strategies throughout its service station network, including the roll out of electric vehicle charging stations and rooftop solar, funded in part by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation.
