Oceania

A UNSW study has shown that hotter temperatures, as result of climate change, means solar panels are at greater risk of degradation. Prolonged exposure to harsher outdoor conditions increase the cost of solar energy in hotter Australian regions.

The federal government is to provide advanced technology and skills development to businesses looking to locally manufacture renewable energy technologies, following a $14 million fund to create the Powering Australia Industry Growth Centre.

Australian nickel producers have an advantage over low-cost rivals in that production in the country is considerably more environmentally friendly than in neighbouring Indonesia. Nickel miners in Australia are currently facing low prices and fierce competition. Rob Nathan from Australian Tenders argues that sustainable nickel will be vital for the energy transition and is worthy of governmental support.

The federal and WA governments are stepping in to support struggling nickel producers with tax credits, critical listing grants, and rebates. 

Anthony Albanese’s plan to fund Australia’s quest to become a renewable energy superpower and position itself as a global player for decarbonisation and clean energy doesn’t move fast or bold enough, according to industry experts.

As Victorian homeowners call for better grid infrastructure after outages left thousands without power this week, new data from research company Rystad Energy suggests the whole world’s transmission network may be a stumbling block to energy transition.

Korean solar module maker Qcells informed its local team this week that its Australian subsidiary will be closed. The decision reflects on the highly competitive Australian solar marketplace and the company’s strategic decision to focus on the United States, Europe, and its home market of Korea.

Ireland-headquartered Elgin Energy Australia have announced approval from the Victorian government to develop the 60 MW Shady Creek Solar Farm and 60 MW / 120 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS), located on Bayleys Road, Yarragon, Victoria.

Half a million homes and businesses in Victoria were left without power late on Tuesday following a major power outage. While investigations are underway as to what worked well and what fell short of expectations, Roger Dargaville, the
director of the Monash Energy Institute at Monash University, says that the event demonstrated system strength.

A secluded island residence off-grid system receives new tech upgrade. The additional power and bang-for-buck demonstrates the new era of offgrid living available to Australian remote households.