ARENA backs distributed generation projects with close to $10 million
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has awarded $9.6 million in grants for five projects and seven studies into the role of distributed generation assets on the grid – and how to expand their penetration.
Energy-management company AEES to green golf clubs’ energy use
Australia’s more than 1,300 golf clubs can each spend upwards of $100,000 a year on electricity bills in the process of managing their greens and running their clubhouses. Today AEES Group announced an exclusive partnership with Golf Management Australia, to provide customised energy-efficiency audits and solar solutions that can reduce Australian clubs’ carbon footprint, and their grid-derived energy by up to 60%.
Election power play casts NSW Government and Opposition as sun seekers
Call them aspiring sun gods: In the lead up to the 2019 New South Wales election on 23 March, Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change Adam Searle and the NSW Liberal & National Government Energy Minister Don Harwin have both announced solar policies that support NSW householders to install rooftop solar-PV systems and thereby reduce their energy bills.
Disused zinc mine transforms into clean energy hub with compressed air storage
In an Australian first, Canada’s Hydrostor is delivering a 5 MW / 10 MWh compressed air energy storage facility, which will store excess solar and wind power at a closed underground mine in South Australia.
Pacific Hydro gets regulatory nod for 555 MW of solar
The 240 MW Prairie Solar Farm in Victoria has moved forward with a planning permission and the 315 MW Clarke Creek Solar Farm in Queensland has received a material change of use permit.
ANU: Australia on track for 50% renewables by 2024, at “zero net cost”
Australia’s renewable sector is driving the country towards its Paris commitments well ahead of schedule. The Australian National University (ANU) published the findings today, concluding that on the current trajectory the country is on track to hit 50% renewable electricity in 2024 and 100% in 2032 – at a net cost “of approximately zero.” Despite the good news, the Clean Energy Council warns that current federal government policy may result in the country squandering the opportunity.
Victoria gives 90 MW solar farm go-ahead
The Central Goldfields Shire Council has given its tick of approval for the construction of the Carisbrook Solar Farm, proposed by Germany’s ib vogt.
EGP highlights local value creation, as 95 MW Susan River project completion
Elliott Green Power (EGP) has completed the construction and grid connection of its 95 MW Susan River Solar Farm in South East Queensland. The utility scale array is part of a three-project, 300 MW portfolio EGP is developing in Queensland and New South Wales.
GEM: Large scale solar generation grows 300% in 2018, renewables pass 20% share
The contribution of solar PV to Australia’s electricity generation mix hit record new highs in 2018, in new figures published today by Green Energy Markets. Last year rooftop PV generation from new arrays was 86% higher than in the previous three years and utility scale solar increased 300% – passing the 1,000 GWh milestone for the first time.
Inverter supplier offers utility solar-farm planning, grid modelling and O&M services
Supplier of solar inverters SMA has announced two new service offerings – plant engineering, and operations and maintenance – designed to de-risk new project investment, streamline grid connection, and drive greater ongoing performance from utility-scale solar farms.
