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.
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.
CEFC rolls out first investment under $20 billion Rewiring the Nation fund
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation has made its first investment via the Australian government’s $20 billion (USD 12.67 billion) Rewiring the Nation Fund, committing $100 million to support the build-out of renewable generation, long-duration storage and grid infrastructure in New South Wales.
ACE teams with Japanese player in 500 MW joint venture
Aspiring renewable energy developer ACE Power will partner with the clean energy arm of Japanese energy giant Osaka Gas to jointly develop a portfolio of Australian solar and battery projects with a total capacity of more than 500 MW.
Endeavour to roll out smart meters after regulator approves waiver
New South Wales electricity distributor Endeavour Energy will upgrade the meters of thousands of customers throughout the state as part of a trial that aims to manage peak energy demand, provide participants with access to innovative energy services, and lower network costs for consumers.
‘Haven’t seen anything like this’: fire crews called to thermal energy storage pilot plant
Thermal energy storage startup MGA Thermal had fire crews called to its demonstration plant in Tomargo, north of Sydney after the company’s pilot unit overheated. “We haven’t seen anything like this before,” Scott Dodson from Fire and Rescue NSW said.
Edify claims new era in energy transition as NSW’s largest battery system goes live
The largest battery energy storage system yet built in New South Wales is now fully operational with developer Edify Energy announcing that the 150 MW/300 MWh Riverina and Darlington Point Energy Storage System is importing and exporting electricity at its full nameplate capacity.
HumeLink report casts shadow on Transgrid’s underground costings
Landowners in the path of the multi-billion-dollar HumeLink transmission project claim Transgrid is relying on flawed economics that favour overhead lines with a new report suggesting the network operator’s costings for putting the cables underground are out by almost 60%.
Global heavyweights back Infravision’s drone-enabled expansion plans
Australian technology company Infravision plans to “supercharge” the development of its drone-enabled powerline stringing system and software technology solutions after securing a “game-changing” $36 million (USD 23 million) from global energy and utility investors.
‘Pretty crazy’: Queensland’s solar + storage payback periods plunge
Solar payback periods worsened in Australia between 2020 and 2022, but have now turned a corner, data from analyst Sunwiz illustrates. Queensland has seen the most remarkable journey, with payback periods for residential solar and storage falling from 10 to 6.6 years within 12 months.
