Oceania

Oil and gas exploration and development company Real Energy continues to pursue its hydrogen ambitions, entering into a key partnership with Port Anthony Renewables to build and develop a large-scale hydrogen production facility in eastern Victoria.

Australian engineer Daniel Westerman has been chosen to head the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) as the nation continues to navigate a rapid transformation of the generation mix.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency is funding Jemena to the tune of $1.6 million toward a new trial in which various electricity networks in Victoria, ACT, and Tasmania will manage residential EV charging to better prepare the grid for a time when mass charging will take place at peak periods.

A lengthy battle over land use is set to be reignited with renewable energy developer Infinergy Pacific lodging a revised planning application with the Victorian Government for a 200 MW solar farm and battery storage facility in the state’s southwest.

Australia’s record-breaking uptake of small-scale rooftop solar and growing interest in home battery systems almost guarantee virtual power plants (VPP) will play a key role in the nation’s energy system into the future and Energy Networks Australia (ENA) has identified the “blueprint” for their successful integration into the grid.

Australian Gas Networks (AGN) has revealed detailed plans to introduce renewable hydrogen into the existing natural gas networks in both Victoria and Western Australia after the first production of green hydrogen at its $11.4 million Hydrogen Park South Australia.

Like a flight simulator for power system designers, the Hitachi ABB facility is now in the hands of the Northern Territory’s Charles Darwin University where it will help build knowledge and capability on the Territory’s road to 50% renewable electricity by 2030.

Reclaim PV is a step closer to ensuring solar generation lives up to the promise of providing clean energy throughout its lifecycle, and that repurposing of its component materials becomes viable.

“Australians should be able to choose the type of car they drive,” said the Federal Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, Angus Taylor on Friday when he released a national plan to reduce carbon emissions from Australia’s road transport sector — a plan without a target, without incentives, and with relatively meagre investment in bringing about essential change.

Renewable-hydrogen research at Swinburne University of Technology and CSIRO gets a boost from the Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund, as the state drives toward a net-zero-emissions future.