Oceania

Australian concentrated solar thermal company Vast Solar has struck a deal with the world’s largest oil drilling contractor, Nabors Industries, announcing it will go public via the partnership and expects to list on the New York Stock Exchange midyear.

Western Australia-based Hybrid Systems Australia has commissioned 42 MW of interconnected battery storage for two Fortescue mine sites in the Pilbara region, noting the installation is one of the largest for a mining application.

Western Australia’s regional utility Horizon Power has installed a battery system in Exmouth on the state’s northern coast, unlocking 2 MW of solar hosting capacity. The installation is one of nine batteries being installed by the utility across the state and is arguably a more effective rendition of a “community battery.”

When US President Joe Biden signed the $500 billion (USD 369 billion) Inflation Reduction Act into law in August 2022, it was lauded as the most significant policy the world has yet seen to combat climate change and drive the transition to renewable energies. However, some international critics and competitors claim the landmark bill thwarts their slow-burning ambitions to foster green manufacturing at home. As governments scramble to respond to the scale of the IRA, Australia is one country realising it may have already been left behind.

New South Wales network Transgrid has announced it will trial the first dual-cab electric ute released in Australia.

If re-elected in March, the New South Wales Liberal and National coalition say they will fast track the rollout of public and private electric vehicle (EV) chargers by reforming strata and planning laws, and installing public facilities at transport hubs.

US aluminium giant Alcoa will go ahead with trialling a steam recycling technology aimed at reducing emissions at its West Australian Wagerup facility, after an ARENA-backed study found the technology was not only feasible but cheaper.

The Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity (A2EP) has released a free, online estimation tool to aid Australian businesses in sizing heat pumps to replace gas boilers. The tool estimates the capex, opex, net savings, and payback time based on inputs about heating, cooling, location, and temperature requirements.

Cabonne Shire Council in New South Wales is the latest of Australia’s local governments looking to latch onto the benefits of solar power, announcing it will develop a 4 MW solar farm and energy storage system to help slash its energy bills.

UK-headquartered fund manager Glennmont Partners has its sights firmly set on the Australian renewable energy market after announcing it plans to acquire, build and operate a portfolio of large-scale solar farms and energy storage assets as part of a $145 million (USD 100 million) strategy.