Weekend read: Solar needs aluminium, but it has a carbon problem
Few doubt that aluminium frames will be a part of the solar module for some time to come. And with PV manufacturing continuing to scale, the carbon footprint of this versatile metal may prove a sustainability challenge.
FRV to develop 115 MW Metz Solar Farm
Spanish developer Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) has reaffirmed its presence in the Australian renewable energy marketplace by adding the 115 MW Metz Solar Farm to its solar portfolio.
AEMO lays out transmission plan to unlock Victorian renewables
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has outlined a $3.5 billion strategy to shore up Victoria’s electricity transmission network and system security as the state accelerates towards the legislated target of 50% renewables by 2030.
Made-in-Queensland hydrogen ferries to set sail
Queensland’s determination to lead the way with hydrogen has reached new levels with Brisbane-based outfit H2X Marine launching plans to construct watercraft powered by renewable energy.
VIC solar industry braces for post-lockdown release of pent-up demand
As Victorians fly out of lockdown and into the thick of summer the solar industry is preparing for the release of pent-up demand for solar which was hungered for during lockdown but went unsatisfied. pv magazine Australia sat down with AC Solar Warehouse’s Grant Behrendorff to gauge the backlog of installations and talk shop in the approach to a bumper summer.
NSW has joined China, South Korea and Japan as climate leaders. Now it’s time for the rest of Australia to follow
It’s been a busy couple of months in global energy and climate policy. Australia’s largest trading partners – China, South Korea and Japan – have all announced they will reach net-zero emissions by about mid-century. In the United States, the incoming Biden administration has committed to decarbonising its electricity system by 2035.
Woolies makes fresh renewables pledge
Australia’s largest retailer, the Woolworths Group, will power all of its operations with renewable energy by 2025 as part of a new and ambitious sustainability pledge.
Fortescue Metals unveils massive solar ambition
Iron ore mining giant Fortescue Metals Group has revealed ambitious plans to build one of the biggest renewable energy portfolios in the world, delivering more than 235 GW of renewable capacity, or five times the current capacity of Australia’s National Energy Market.
SwitchDin teams up with Fronius on remote PV control
Energy management software company SwitchDin has urged operators in the Australian renewable energy market to work collaboratively as the decentralised generation model becomes increasingly dominant.
October’s QLD energy price spike ‘harbinger of things to come’
On Tuesday 13th October 2020 Queensland’s electricity spiked from approximately $25/MWh to $15,000/MWh (the current market price cap) in response to a tripping incident involving the constraint of 11 solar farms and one wind farm. The event is being seen as illustrative of just what needs to be addressed in the design of NEM 2.0.
