ARENA

AGL has committed to another big battery project as it seeks to add at least 850MW of new large-scale energy storage to its portfolio by 2024, confirming it will begin construction of a 50MW/50MWh battery at Broken Hill which will improve energy security in regional New South Wales.

A joint fund with roughly $125 million from both the Australian and German governments has opened today and is seeking applications from projects across the value chain of renewable green hydrogen.

ARENA has opened round two of its Future Fuels Program, allocating $127.9 million in funding to support fleets to shift to new zero emissions vehicles over the next four years, be that electric, hydrogen, or biofuels.

Queensland company eleXsys Energy has secured more than $450,000 to help finance a trial of next-generation technology designed to manage grid stability in low voltage areas, potentially allowing for an increase in the amount of distributed energy resources, including rooftop solar, that can be connected to the grid.

Spanish renewables developer X-Elio expects its 200 MW Blue Grass Solar Farm will achieve full commercial operations early this year after it reached financial close for the $215 million project being developed near Chinchilla in Queensland’s Western Downs region.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency has announced $40 million in research and development funding is up for grabs across two streams. Stream 1 consists of cells and modules, and Stream 2 is focused on balance of system along with operations and maintenance. It is hoped the additional funding will spur Australia’s pioneering solar research to push for the federal government’s “ultra low-cost solar” target of $15/MWh.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency has announced a $100 million competitive funding round for grid scale batteries. While battery technology agnostic, the projects must be equipped with advanced inverter technology.

Australian governments and industry have embraced the potential of green hydrogen with a flurry of project announcements, including the Western Australian Government providing almost $120 million to establish two renewable hydrogen hubs, Edify Energy signing of Memorandum of Understanding to explore the feasibility of establishing a hydrogen export facility in Queensland, and the Federal Government collaborate with Germany on a new initiative designed to accelerate the development of Australia’s green hydrogen industry.

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.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency has responded to the federal government’s decision to expand its mandate to include ‘low-emission technologies’, unveiling a new investment plan that provides for the financing of a broader range of technologies including some using fossil fuels.