First ‘solar hydro’ system connected to the grid, 17-hour storage component imminent
Melbourne startup RayGen, which merges solar generation with long-duration electro-thermal energy storage, has connected its flagship Victorian project to the grid – albeit partially, as the company is still waiting on the final pieces of equipment to complete the 17 hour duration electro-storage system component.
‘Not valued clearly at present’: ARENA-backed study looks into how to better incentivise storage investment
Melbourne’s Monash University will conduct a $1.18 million study into alternative market designs which better support energy storage technologies and drive clearer investment signals.
Gas from Sydney’s wastewater soon to hit the city’s network
Sydney is close to having its first ‘renewable’ gas – converted from wastewater’s raw biogas into biomethane. The gas is to be produced at the Malabar Wastewater Resource Recovery Plant, with the trial the result of partnerships between ARENA, the NSW government, Sydney Water and Jemena.
UQ targets testing platform to fast-track large-scale grid connections
University of Queensland researchers will seek to develop and test a new platform designed to help streamline the process of connecting large-scale renewable projects to the grid after landing a $498,000 grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.
‘Missing piece of the puzzle’: 3 GW of battery projects make it to ARENA’s grid forming shortlist
ARENA today announced 12 projects with a combined capacity of 3 GW are on the shortlist for its $100 million Large Scale Battery Storage Round which aims to support to rollout of storage fitted with grid forming capacities.
Rooftop solar cheaper for Indigenous NT communities than ground mounted, but benefit question remains
Rooftop solar systems are cheaper then centralised ground mounted systems for remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory, a new report funded by ARENA and APVI has found. The report, however, did not examine the question of community benefit in its scope – something Alan Langworthy, who has long worked in energy in the NT, told pv magazine Australia is absolutely vital.
ACAP lands $45 million to kick renewable energy transformation into gear
The Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics will receive up to $45 million in federal funding over the next eight years as it seeks to develop the next generation of efficient and ultra low-cost solar technologies.
Wollongong university recruited for green steel research project at Bluescope
BlueScope Steel, the country’s largest steelmaker, will partner with its local university in Wollongong and Future Fuels CRC to undertake a 13 month research project investigating options for decarbonising its operations at the Port Kembla Steelworks.
Green alumina processing pilot in WA receives major backing from ARENA
Western Australia’s Pinjarra alumina refinery, run by US giant Alcoa and Alumina Ltd, has been granted $8.6 million to test electric calcination, a process which could significantly reduce refineries’ footprints. The grants awarded add up to almost half of the pilot’s costs.
Federal fossil supports grows to $10.5 in FY22 as own party rules ARENA changes illegal
A standing committee has blocked federal energy minister Angus Taylor’s longstanding attempts to allow ARENA to fund fossil fuel projects, finding it illegal. The ruling came on the same day new analysis found the Morrison government’s fossil fuel subsidies increased 12% in FY22, costing taxpayers a total of $10.5 billion.
