WA battery research facility secures $25m of federal funding
The Perth-based Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research Centre (FBICRC) will address industry-identified gaps in the battery industry value chain, support battery deployment and optimise the circular economy for battery recycling.
Sods turned on Australia’s biggest lithium hydroxide facility
A ceremony was held today in WA’s South West to mark the commencement of construction on what is said to be Australia’s biggest lithium processing plant. The $1 billion facility is being developed by U.S. company Albemarle and targets 100,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium hydroxide a year.
Making metals with renewable energy
Mining and metals company Element 25 has obtained funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to evaluate manganese production powered by wind and solar energy. By increasing renewable energy penetration potentially up to 90%, the company is set to improve the economics of its production process.
Australia starts producing solar powered signals intelligence
A 1.2 MW solar array has been powered up at Western Australian “spy station” near Geraldton. The array aims to take pressure off the region’s ageing power grid.
Risen breaks ground on 132 MW Merredin Solar Farm
A groundbreaking ceremony took place last Friday at the Chinese PV module maker’s utility-scale PV project in Western Australia’s wheatbelt region.
Carnegie Clean Energy gets funding lifeline, solar microgrid subsidiary to be sold or wound down
Following months of uncertainty around its financial position, Carnegie Clean Energy and its fully owned subsidiaries went into voluntary administration last week. In its latest statement to ASX, the renewable energy developer says it has struck a deal with one of its directors to provide funding support while administrators attempt to recapitalize its wave power business.
Horizon Power launches stage two of Onslow microgrid, Senec supplies batteries
Horizon Power, Western Australia’s regional power provider, has commenced the second stage of its Onslow microgrid project, which will provide local residents and businesses with access to low-cost solar and energy storage systems. German storage provider Senec has been chosen to supply batteries to the project.
WA government cuts support to Carnegie Clean Energy
After reporting a $45 million loss in its half year results, the troubled renewable energy developer has suffered a new blow. The Western Australia government has terminated the $16 million financial assistance agreement for the Albany wave energy project, noting that unexpected proposal to change Federal Government’s R&D tax incentive scheme contributed to destabilization of the company’s financial position.
WA government launches energy transformation strategy, but denies support to stricter carbon emissions guidelines
In response to the energy sector’s transition from coal to renewables and distributed energy resources, Western Australia’s Labor government says it has started drafting a strategy to deliver a cleaner and more resilient energy supply for decades to come. Coming off the back of the strategy launch, WA’s environment watchdog has announced new and expanding mining and oil and gas projects would face much tougher scrutiny around their emissions. The WA government has moved to distance itself from the proposed emissions rules.
Rural power lines to be replaced with stand-alone solar and battery systems at WA farms
Western Australia’s government-owned regional utility Horizon Power is readying to roll out 13 solar and battery technology units at 14 far-flung farms in the Esperance region.
