Australia

French renewables developer TE H2 has filed an application with the Australian government seeking approval for a 2.7 GW solar farm and 6 GWh battery energy storage project to be built in the Northern Territory.

Vena Energy has secured a $200 million long-term revenue agreement that it says will bring the second stage of its 408 MW Bellambi Heights battery energy storage system being built in central-western New South Wales online later this year.

The conflict in Iran has triggered global disruptions to energy and liquid fuel markets, including here in Australia. Among the more vulnerable are those in remote and rural diesel-dependent communities where renewables-based microgrids offer an option for reliable and secure energy supply.

Just days after launching construction of its Blind Creek solar and battery project in southern New South Wales, developer Octopus Australia has inked an offtake agreement with renewable energy retailer Flow Power.

Queensland’s large battery projects approval mechanisms are under scrutiny after Trina Solar withdrew its 200 MW / 800 MWh Pleystowe battery project, while state ministers stepped into two other contested projects proposed by Potentia Energy and Iberdrola.

Australia’s battery materials recovery sector could contribute $6.9 billion to the national economy by 2050 as end-of-life lithium ion batteries surge from electric vehicles and energy storage, according to a new national industry profile.

Researchers from the Australian National University and Longi used photoluminescence imaging to analyse dopant distributions in RCz-grown silicon wafers doped with antimony, phosphorus, and gallium, finding highly uniform radial concentration profiles suitable for high-efficiency solar cells. The study also found that antimony-doped wafers provide more stable axial doping along the ingot, highlighting their potential for next-generation PV manufacturing.

Australian battery and electric vehicle tech company 3ME Technology has teamed with United States-based South 8 Technologies to develop lithium-ion battery solutions utilising liquefied gas electrolyte-enabled cells for extreme cold weather and Arctic applications.

New South Wales-based thermal energy storage system developer MGA Thermal intends to rapidly scale its manufacturing capacity and commercial capability after securing $17 million in new funding.

Edify Energy will start construction proper of two massive solar and battery energy storage projects in Queensland by mid-year after naming DT Infrastructure as its preferred EPC contractor.