Australia

The NSW government doubled the number of approved utility-scale solar projects in the previous year, and got off to a promising start to 2018.

With all eyes still on the world’s largest lithium-ion battery at the Hornsdale wind farm, South Australia now readies to raise the game with its first big battery built in conjunction with a solar farm.

German-headquartered project developer juwi Australia is sharpening its focus towards developing utility scale PV projects, after having previously delivered hybrid projects such as its DeGrussa plant in Western Australia. To pursue the shift, the company has appointed Cameron Garnsworthy as managing director of juwi Renewable Energy Pty Ltd.

While the Hornsdale Power Reserve “is doing its job” and is performing as expected, owner Neoen has urged market observers not jump to conclusions as to its profitability based on its arbitrage trading over the short term.

The proposed 50,000 home virtual power plant launched by the South Australian state government, in partnership with Tesla, is a big deal. But it does beg a number of questions as to how it will be realized and what the implications of the project could be.

South Australia could play host to the world’s largest deployment of residential solar+storage in the form of a virtual power plant. The scheme, announced by SA Premier Jay Weatherill on the election campaign trail, could see 250 MW of rooftop PV and 650 MWh of battery storage added to 50,000 homes over 4.5 years.

Issuing a call for action, a report commissioned by the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies outlines Australia’s opportunity to expand along the estimated $2 trillion lithium chain in the next two years.

The Austrian inverter specialist is launching a new version of its Energy Package upgraded with storage units from LG Chem.

In addition to entering an agreement to purchase three hydro power stations in Australia, New Zealand’s energy retailer has signed three PPAs for wind and solar projects in Victoria and New South Wales. 

Children at two New South Wales schools have started the new school year this week in modular classrooms powered by renewable energy.