Startup H2X is banking on bringing automotive manufacturing back to Australia with hydrogen. After it unveiled its Warrego pickup truck last week, pv magazine Australia caught up with the company’s corporate affairs specialist, Tony Blackie.

Australian hydrogen vehicle manufacturer H2X will unveil the Warrego, a fuel cell electric hybrid pickup truck, in November.

Solar could supply 77% of Australia’s electricity demand by 2026, according to a new report by the Australian Electricity Market Operator.

The comparison of two solar cladded roofs in Sydney, Australia, one bare beneath its panels and the other adorned with native grasses and plants, has found the panels on the green roof were, on average, 3.63% more efficient, producing an average daily output 13% greater than the conventional roof. The improvements are believed to stem from the lower temperatures on the green roof, thanks to its plants – which also provided a plethora of additional benefits.

Renewables developer Syncline Energy has revealed plans for a 600 MW/2400 MWh battery storage project near Melbourne.

Australia’s AGL Energy will soon own the world’s largest ‘grid-forming’ battery, with construction to begin on its new 250 MW/250 MWh project later this year on Torrens Island, South Australia. Finland’s Wärtsilä will supply the battery, while Germany’s SMA will provide inverters.

Professor Thomas Nann told pv magazine Australia that a breakthrough idea was almost too simple: “Actually when we submitted the patent in the first place, the patent officers came back to us and said ‘well, that’s too trivial’ and we made exactly that argument – why did no one else do that then?” said Nann.

Known as Australia’s “Sunshine State,” Queensland households have, in just two years, doubled their residential energy storage, according to a new survey. The figures reveal 37% of Queensland households now have panels installed, with a further 22% looking to install or upgrade their systems.

Australia’s first lithium-ion battery manufacturer, Energy Renaissance, has received a grant to develop its pilot manufacturing facility in the Hunter region.

Maoneng has revealed the details of its proposed 240 MWp/480 MWh big battery for the Mornington Peninsula in the Australian state of Victoria.