Australian Capital Territory

A research team at the Australian National University have claimed an efficiency of 30.3% for a tandem solar cell made by mechanically stacking a perovskite cell and a silicon cell. The achievement meets the first of three 2030 “stretch goals” set by the Australian government.

The Australian Capital Territory government has officially switched on its first grid-scale battery energy storage system, describing it as a “significant milestone” on Canberra’s pathway to 100% renewable electricity supply.

CleanPeak Energy, who have until now specialised in the C&I segment, have acquired the 13 MW Mugga Lane Solar Park in Canberra. CleanPeak reportedly bought the solar farm for between $30 million (USD 21 million) and $40 million, after it was placed into voluntary administration following a loan dispute.

A government-backed incentive scheme established to accelerate the introduction of distributed solar energy storage in the Australian Capital Territory is to be wound up having achieved its target of subsidising the installation of about 5,000 batteries over the past seven years.

Canberra-based startup Syenta has developed a 3D printer capable of printing highly complex and functional electronics like photovoltaics, batteries, sensors and more, promising to do so in ways that are faster, cheaper and using less energy. The technology, which saw an the Australian startup reach the global grand-finals of the global ClimateLaunchpad program, has the potential to reshape both how renewable technologies are manufactured, and their actual performance, the team tells pv magazine Australia.

ANU’s Dr Bjorn Sturmberg has launched his book Amy’s Balancing Act, a fable about Australia’s energy transition. While, of course, for kids, Dr Sturmberg’s book gestures towards fundamental questions for the industry itself. The energy transition is not just a technological shift, he tells pv magazine Australia, but systematic and emotional one – facets often overlooked within the industry.

A 10 MW/20 MWh battery energy storage system associated with a Victorian wind farm has be commissioned by Ingeteam at the Queanbeyan substation in the Australian Capital Territory.

West Australian smart solar glass developer ClearVue has made the move into the residential housing market, securing its first order to supply its power-generating solar PV windows for a luxury residence being constructed in the Australian Capital Territory.

French renewables developer Neoen has completed the financing for its 100 MW / 200 MWh Capital Battery in Canberra, declaring the project is on track to be operational in the first half of 2023.

The Australian Capital Territory government has unveiled plans to phase out the use of fossil gas by 2045 at the latest and move the market towards a net zero emissions future by “electrifying Canberra with renewable electricity over the next two decades”.