Oceania

Just days after launching construction of its Blind Creek solar and battery project in southern New South Wales, developer Octopus Australia has inked an offtake agreement with renewable energy retailer Flow Power.

Queensland’s large battery projects approval mechanisms are under scrutiny after Trina Solar withdrew its 200 MW / 800 MWh Pleystowe battery project, while state ministers stepped into two other contested projects proposed by Potentia Energy and Iberdrola.

Australia’s battery materials recovery sector could contribute $6.9 billion to the national economy by 2050 as end-of-life lithium ion batteries surge from electric vehicles and energy storage, according to a new national industry profile.

Researchers from the Australian National University and Longi used photoluminescence imaging to analyse dopant distributions in RCz-grown silicon wafers doped with antimony, phosphorus, and gallium, finding highly uniform radial concentration profiles suitable for high-efficiency solar cells. The study also found that antimony-doped wafers provide more stable axial doping along the ingot, highlighting their potential for next-generation PV manufacturing.

Australian battery and electric vehicle tech company 3ME Technology has teamed with United States-based South 8 Technologies to develop lithium-ion battery solutions utilising liquefied gas electrolyte-enabled cells for extreme cold weather and Arctic applications.

New South Wales-based thermal energy storage system developer MGA Thermal intends to rapidly scale its manufacturing capacity and commercial capability after securing $17 million in new funding.

Edify Energy will start construction proper of two massive solar and battery energy storage projects in Queensland by mid-year after naming DT Infrastructure as its preferred EPC contractor.

Digging into NSW’s generation mix reveals that the supply gap from coal exists remains substantial. Eraring currently contributes more to the state’s mix than grid-scale solar and wind combined during winter (28% vs 20%), while utility-scale batteries remain just 1% of the current supply mix, underscoring how early the firming build-out still is. From an investment standpoint, the scheduled retirement of coal capacity represents one of the strongest structural tailwinds in the Australian energy market.

Remote Samoan island communities will receive roof top solar, battery storage and a mini-grid upgrade to cut dependence on diesel, kerosene, wood fires and disposable batteries for light and cooking, with the Australian government’s REnew Pacific assistance.

Australian government grants are now available for First Nations communities, organisations and groups for advice and engagement on planning, negotiating or pursuing clean energy projects in homes, communities and on Country.