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.
Snowy Hydro signs wind deal with CWP
Australian gentailer Snowy Hydro has signed a power purchasing agreement with CWP Renewables for its biggest wind farm, currently in development in New South Wales.
Realising electric vehicle-to-grid services
Dr Kathryn Lucas-Healey on vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technologies and the Australian National University’s (ANU) Realising Electric Vehicle-to-grid Services project which will see electric vehicles being used to support the the national electricity grid.
AGL looking to turn its Torrens Island facility into a green hydrogen hub
Australian energy giant AGL Energy has announced its leadership of a consortium of industry partners for a feasibility study into whether its Torrens Island facility can become a green hydrogen hub for domestic users and export.
