Oceania

Utility-scale energy storage solutions provider Energy Vault has struck a deal with ACEN Australia to build two new battery energy storage systems totalling 400 MWh alongside the 720 MW New England Solar Farm being developed in northern New South Wales.

All new solar systems and home batteries installed under Victoria’s solar and battery rebate schemes will need to be fitted with an active internet connection to support emergency backup and flexible exports under new rules to come into play later this year.

Italian energy giant Enel Green Power says the commissioning of the 93 MW Girgarre Solar Farm in central Victoria is now underway with the power plant expected to be fully operational early next year.

The West Australian government has committed more than $1 billion to drive the development of the clean energy and major industrial projects it says are required for the state to become a “global clean energy powerhouse.”

Tests conducted by Canadian researchers at the NREL’s testing field in the United States have shown that ground reflectors based on high-density polyethylene can significantly increase bifacial PV plant performance. They stressed the profitability of this technology is strictly dependent on the location and warned about combining it with inverter clipping.

Economic cooperation between India and Australia may open doors for investment in clean energy technology but challenges still abound in a competitive global market. Vibhuti Garg and Shantanu Srivastava, of the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, discuss the role that public funding and resource pooling could play in supporting manufacturing ambitions.

AGL Energy has completed the installation of a solar-powered microgrid featuring a 5.4 MWh battery energy storage system that is to support the transition of a New South Wales commercial orchard’s operations from diesel to renewables.

Western Australian renewables infrastructure provider Pacific Energy has set up a new office in Victoria with the initial task of managing another first for the company, the delivery of a 26 MW hybrid power system in New South Wales.

Australian battery and inverter manufacturer Redback Technologies has exited voluntary administration and is now under the control of new owners Australia Ebon Group.

United Kingdon-based developer Renewable Energy Systems has expanded its presence in the Australian market with the acquisition of Windlab’s asset management portfolio, including the 60 MW Kennedy Energy Park in northern Queensland.