Libra Energy has unveiled its first major Australian renewables project, announcing plans to build an 850 MW / 3,400 MWh battery energy storage system in southeast Queensland to help soak up excess solar energy and stabilise the grid supply and demand during peak hours.

Growth in Australia’s renewable energy sector is strong with 43 GW of new utility scale generation and storage projects working through the National Electricity Market connection process but concerns remain that uncertainties surrounding approval processes could impact investor confidence.

Australia’s energy market operator says that batteries are increasingly supporting demand peaks in the National Electricity Market (NEM). Average generation during these periods has more than doubled since the same time last year.

Australian software developer PV Lighthouse has secured almost AUD 1.97 million ($1.32 million) to drive development of its SunSolve Yield advanced simulation engine, which is designed to improve yield forecasting for utility-scale solar projects.

Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners’ plan to build a “state-of-the-art” polysilicon manufacturing plant in Australia has taken a step forward, with Australian Silica Quartz starting a drilling program at a planned mine site that could provide feedstock for the proposed facility.

Horizon Power has developed a solar hydrogen microgrid in Western Australia, including a custom control program for autonomous management of its subsystems in Denham, according to a new report produced in cooperation with the state government

Researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) plan to develop a redesigned PV module for easier recycling, with AUD 5 million ($3.4 million) in federal government funding to help transform Australia’s solar panel recycling industry.

The rollout of rooftop solar in Australia has slowed, with a total of 248 MW of new capacity registered across the country in June, down 14% from the previous month and marking the lowest tally since January.

Australian zinc bromide flow battery specialist Redflow has struck a partnership with Queensland state-owned generation company Stanwell to work together on the development of a non-lithium long-duration battery energy storage solution for use in a 400 MWh project. Meanwhile, Toronto long duration energy storage specialist e-Zinc has secured $31 million which will go towards developement and completion of its pilot manufacturing facility in Mississauga, Ontario.

Three pumped hydro projects that would deliver a combined 1,035 MW/9,480 MWh of dispatchable capacity are among six projects that have been declared critical, state-significant infrastructure by the New South Wales government in Australia.