New South Wales Budget opens a $3.5 billion purse to climate change and energy
Climate change and energy received a $3.5 billion commitment in the New South Wales Budget on 18 June, plus $3.1 billon to deliver renewable energy zones, which got an extra $128 million boost to upgrade roads between them and the Port of Newcastle.
Dutton promises energy solutions, nuclear policy still leaves Australians in dark
In 1971 on a family holiday, my father drove us to look at a huge concrete slab at Jervis Bay, on the South Coast of New South Wales. Still visible today, it was the foundation for what would have been Australia’s first nuclear power plant.
European Energy seeks green light for 1.1 GW Queensland solar plant
Danish renewables giant European Energy is seeking federal environmental approval for its plans to build a 1.1 GW solar farm near the industrial city of Gladstone in central Queensland.
Early site investigations firm plans for 120 GWh pumped hydro project
Plans to build a 5 GW / 120 GWh pumped hydro energy storage system in Queensland’s Pioneer Valley have received a positive boost with geotechnical investigations revealing the site is ideally suited for dam and tunnel construction.
Thermal energy storage tech to bolster industry decarbonisation
Long duration energy storage developer MGA Thermal is one step closer to commissioning its behind-the-meter demonstration plant after receiving a $2.48 million windfall from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.
Dutton plans nuclear reactors at seven sites in five states
Federal Opposition leader Peter Dutton has unveiled the first details of his long-awaited policy for nuclear power, announcing seven sites for reactors, promising that the first sites can be operational in the 2030s.
Virtual power plant connects to community housing
South Australia’s virtual power plant has partnered with community housing provider, Unity Housing, to supply low cost energy to disadvantaged tenants, as part of its fourth phase to connect more than 7,500 households with clean energy.
Australian manufacturer wheels out first electric bus in WA
The first of 18 electric buses to be manufactured in Perth as part of a joint $250 million Western Australian and federal government initiative has been rolled out as the state pushes ahead with plans to decarbonise its public transport system.
Big batteries solve solar issues in California, can they do the same for Australia?
When you graph electricity demand in power grids with lots of solar panels, it looks a bit like a duck, with high points in the morning and evening (when people are relying on the grid) and a big dip in the middle of the day (when many people use their own solar instead and need less from the grid).
New $100 million challenge targets 50 GW per year
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency has dangled a $100 million carrot in front of the world’s best and brightest solar industry proponents to help lower solar and electricity costs to scale up annual installation in Australia from 5 GW per year to 50 GW.
