Victoria

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.

The rush to deliver energy storage solutions to support Australia’s electricity grid continues apace with Meridian Energy Australia receiving approval to install a 20 MW battery energy storage system (BESS) alongside the Hume Hydroelectric Power Station in regional New South Wales.

Victoria is set to welcome another large-scale solar farm to the grid with the 149 MWp DC Glenrowan West facility moving into the final phase of construction.

Australia’s record-breaking embrace of residential and commercial solar PV continues to reduce grid demand in the nation’s electricity systems and has delivered a “world first” for South Australia with solar power matching 100% of the state’s underlying demand for the first time on record.

Australian-listed oil and gas exploration and development company Real Energy has continued its push into renewable energy, signing a joint venture agreement with private company Liberty Hydrogen to develop four large-scale hydrogen hubs on Australia’s east coast.

La Trobe University is not messing around when it comes to its 2029 ‘net zero’ ambitions. The university, which installed 7,500 solar panels at its Bundoora campus last year, has this month seen the completion of its new sports stadium which will be entirely powered by rooftop solar.

In what is believed to be a Victorian first, CitiPower and Yarra Energy Foundation will parter to create a community battery network in the Melbourne CBD and inner-city suburbs.

Forget the beer goggles, settle into the spectacles of a sunny disposition and thank whatever gods may be for beer, solar panels and sunshine. That’s what Melbourne’s Moon Dog Brewing has done with the installation of a near 100 kW solar system atop their brewpub. Inspired by the savings made on emissions and electricity bills, the brewers have released a limited edition solar-powered IPA.

Unlike other nations with more limited land and faster growing populations, Australia has not yet understood the symbiotic benefits which accrue when solar PV and agriculture are combined. This week, the Victorian Government announced its Horticulture Solar Energy program and $5 million in funding for the Tatura SmartFarm to experiment with solar atop a pear orchard.

Two outages at coal fired power generators in Victoria last weekend failed to faze the energy market as strong solar uptake ensured wholesale prices actually fell into the negative despite major units going offline at the height of summer.