Desert Knowledge solar centre adds large-scale battery
The Northern Territory’s Desert Knowledge Australia Solar Centre will soon play host to a large-scale battery energy storage system which is expected to facilitate the transformation of the multi-technology solar testing facility into a local microgrid.
AEMO to restore national energy market
The market operator today announced a “staged” return to the national energy market’s normal operations as 4000 MW of generation capacity comes back into operation.
NSW & Queensland budgets handed down, both link clean energy investments to prosperity
Both New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland handed down their 2022-23 state budgets on Tuesday pushing the line that clean energy investments would lead the states to future prosperity.
Qantas partners with Airbus on sustainable fuels, Aviation H2 acquires hydrogen test engines
In aviation news, Qantas has announced a partnership with Airbus to invest up to $285 million to establish a sustainable aviation fuel industry in Australia. Meanwhile, startup Aviation H2 says it is in the process of acquiring test engines it will modify to run on hydrogen, which are due to arrive in the next five weeks.
Rio Tinto’s flashy new mine powered by 34 MW of solar
Resources giant Rio Tinto has officially opened what it is calling its most technologically advanced mine in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The Gudai-Darri iron ore mine features a 34 MW solar farm capable of meeting one-third of the facility’s energy needs.
First community-owned retailer goes into administration due to ‘diabolical’ energy crisis
Australia’s first community-owned electricity retailer, Enova Energy, has gone into voluntary administration, claimed by the ongoing energy crisis unfolding in Australia’s east.
Two Australian companies left vying for giant $4.5b green hydrogen project in NZ
Fortescue Future Industries and Woodside have been selected as the two finalists in the race to develop what could be one of the world’s largest green hydrogen projects, a 600 MW facility in New Zealand’s Southland.
Melbourne’s suburbs shining with solar and battery uptake
After a bumpy start, the Victorian government’s Solar Homes Program is now in full swing, lead by strong uptake in Melbourne’s suburbs and the state’s rural north. Meanwhile, demand for batteries linked to rooftop solar has skyrocketed over the last month, spurred by the energy crisis and an especially cold winter.
Energy board releases capacity market design, advocates fossil fuel inclusion despite criticism
Under renewed urges from ministers to expedite market reforms, the Energy Security Board has today released a ‘high-level’ design paper for its capacity mechanism proposal, through which the agency hopes to prevent a disorderly energy transition.
AEMO says it has not suspended project commissioning but testing and resources limited amid crisis
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) says it has not suspended solar and wind project commissioning, though it noted the schedules for some projects have been adjusted because of the ongoing energy supply crisis.
