Queensland

It all started with Sun Metals 124 MWac solar farm. Once at risk of having its exports curtailed to zero, its owners have now been funded by three Australian government agencies to seed demand for North Queensland’s green hydrogen.

Australian energy storage company Redback Technologies has unveiled an expanded product range, adding a series of grid-tied solar inverters and new beefed-up battery products to its existing line of modular battery energy storage systems for residential and commercial customers.

Australian natural gas and electricity company, APA Group, is set to build a 88 MW solar farm at Mica Creek in Mount Isa, central Queensland. The news just as APA was confirmed to have lost its bidding war for Victorian transmission network AusNet.

French renewables developer Neoen’s massive 460 MWp solar farm in Queensland’s Western Downs region is rapidly advancing toward completion with state-owned network operator Powerlink confirming connection to the electricity grid is now complete.

A number of Australian battery material recovery projects got off the ground this week, including the completion of Western Australian outfit Neometal’s battery recycling demonstration plant, a Queensland-Japanese joint venture studying the extraction of cobalt from copper tailings as well as the funding of Sydney-based startup Novalith.

Queensland government-owned utility Ergon Energy has opened the doors to a new $6 million “world-class” research and development hub designed to accelerate the integration of renewable energy technology including microgrids and standalone power systems into the state’s electricity network.

Fortescue Future Industries has revealed it will partner with North American hydrogen technology company Plug Power to build the world’s largest green energy infrastructure and equipment-manufacturing facility in Central Queensland.

Queensland’s ambition to become a leading producer and exporter of green hydrogen continues to gather steam with the state government announcing a large-scale solar PV and battery-powered renewable hydrogen electrolyser will be built near Chinchilla on the Darling Downs.

Queensland-based designer and manufacturer of lithium-ion battery energy storage systems RedEarth Energy Storage plans to expand its product range and increase manufacturing capacity after raising $12 million in a pre-initial public offering funding round led by Ord Minnett Private Opportunities.

The first big battery to stand alone without government support, Bouldercombe Battery Project capitalises on Genex Power’s experience gained on the road to Kidston Clean Energy Hub.