Australia’s solar resource to increase in east, decrease in west as climate warms: UNSW study
Researchers at UNSW have modelled how shifts in Australia’s future weather patterns due to climate change will impact the nation’s solar resource, including its dependability. They found solar reliability may increase parts of Eastern Australia by 2099, but the outlook worsened in Western and Northern Australia.
CSIRO uses ‘falling’ ceramic particles used to store energy at extreme temperatures
Falling ceramic particles less than half a millimetre in size have been used by Australia’s national science agency, the CSIRO, to store energy in a concentrated solar thermal system. The team recently achieved a temperature of 803°C using the process at its pilot plant in NSW.
Not so fast… the Bouldercombe Battery is not yet back into service after the fire
On September 26, the Bouldercombe battery in Queensland caught fire during its commissioning process. Now, it is being reported the battery facility is already back up and running – which isn’t quite the case, WattClarity’s Paul McArdle explains.
High Court rules Victoria’s EV tax is ‘invalid’
Victoria’s High Court has deemed the Victorian government’s tax on electric vehicles “invalid”, saying Australia’s Constitution enshrines that only the Commonwealth government has the power to enforce such taxes.
RMIT software tool unlocks BIPV design
RMIT University in Australia has developed new software that integrates product, regulation, technical, economic, and construction data. It helps architects and engineers to estimate the cost of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) during the conceptual design phase.
Adelaide cuts emissions at train stations, starts testing hydrogen buses
Diesel trains have been retrofitted with batteries and are now running from Adelaide stations, in the latest of a spate of sustainable transport trials in the South Australian capital. This includes trials with fully electric trains and the beginning of trials with hydrogen-powered and pure electric buses.
Regulator dismisses community dispute of VNI-West interconnector
The Australian Energy Regulator has rejected a community group’s challenge to the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector West, or VNI West, transmission project.
Massive lithium takeover deal collapses following Rinehart intervention
US giant Albemarle Corp. has withdrawn its $6.6 billion takeover bid for Australian lithium developer Liontown Resources after Gina Rinehart, via her company Hancock Prospecting, reportedly spent $1.3 billion raising its stake in Liontown to a commanding 19.9%.
The human factor: why Australia’s net zero transition risks failing unless it is fair
This article is part of a series by The Conversation, Getting to Zero, examining Australia’s energy transition.
Monash researchers achieve lithium-sulphur battery breakthrough
Researchers at Victoria’s Monash University have developed a new lithium-sulphur battery design they claim requires less lithium, has more energy per unit volume, lasts longer and can be produced for half the price of the dominant lithium-ion technology.
