Australia

Belgian materials company Umicore has signed a contract with Australia headquartered Vulcan Energy Resources to purchase up to 42,000 tons of lithium hydroxide over a five year period beginning in 2025. The material will be used in Umicore’s production of cathode materials for lithium-ion cell manufacturers.

A new study from researchers at the universities of Lancaster and Reading in the UK has managed to quantify the economic boost provided by the symbiotic relationship between solar farms and honeybee hives.

In a joint energy power purchasing initiative tipped to deliver savings of up to $5 million, more than 50 Western Australian local government associations are set to partner on a renewable power purchase agreement which will see them using 100% renewable energy.

Western Australia grid operator Western Power is expanding its microgrid strategy as it aims to improve the resilience and reliability of electricity supply in regional communities, calling for registrations of interest to develop a renewables-based disconnected microgrid capable of powering a small rural town.

Australian oil and gas giant Woodside is continuing its exploration of renewable energy, partnering with United States-based concentrated solar power entity Heliogen to build a 5 MW solar thermal demonstration plant in California which is expected to be capable of delivering clean energy with nearly 24/7 availability.

Insight Australia 2021 took place on October 12th. Its wide range of speakers and Australian focus attracted many to watch the event live and participate in the insightful Q&As. For those that weren’t able to join us but are at all interested in the performance and safety of battery energy storage in the energy transition, the recording is now available.

The modular solar marketplace is growing, especially in Australia where remote mining and agricultural sites appreciate the benefits of compact, moveable solar. One new entrant is Western Australia’s CDI Energy with its “Rapid Solar Module”, which CDI founder and CEO Darryl Bower told pv magazine is up to 30% cheaper than fixed axis alternatives.

Fotowatio Renewable Ventures’ (FRV) Australian platform includes 637 MW (DC) in projects already operational or under construction, and a pipeline comprising 7 GW of solar projects and 1.3 GWh of battery storage.

Renewable PPAs and renewable self generation are hard enough for commercial and industrial energy users to factor into their organisational management. Energy market participation is also on the table. Energy retailers hold the keys to tariff design that leverages all opportunities. They just need smarter software, says Flux Federation’s Jessica Venning-Bryan.

Renewable generation is now the cheapest source of electricity, but for many C&I users accessing green energy is a complex proposition. The Victorian Government wants to retain and attract more businesses, build more renewable energy, create more jobs — is a market facilitation platform the next piece of the puzzle?