Researchers from Australia’s Monash University have created a new generation of lithium-sulfur batteries to provide a cheaper, cleaner and faster-charging energy storage solution that outlasts lithium-ion alternatives and is rechargeable hundreds of times without failing.

Australia-based mining giant Fortescue has started the development of an electric train that recharges itself using gravity, after settling its recent purchase of UK-based Williams Advanced Engineering.

Iron ore magnate Andrew Forrest has announced a AUD 3 billion ($2.2 billion) investment in a 1.2GW hybrid wind, solar and battery energy storage project in Queensland, Australia.

The deployment of standalone power systems in Australia’s National Electricity Market is expected to accelerate, as the Australian Energy Market Commission has published new rules allowing distributors to install renewables-based technologies in the nation’s five market jurisdictions.

Australian technology company Lavo’s innovative energy storage system – based on storing green hydrogen in a patented metal hydride – has attracted the attention of the UK government which has provided financial backing to allow for a demonstration facility to be installed in England’s northwest.

Western Australia has introduced new curtailment rules which will allow for all new and upgraded solar PV and battery energy storage installations with an inverter capacity of 5 kW or less to be remotely turned down or switched off in emergency situations.

Two of Australia’s most prominent energy players, Fortescue Future Industries and oil giant Woodside Energy, have been included on a shortlist of potential development partners for a proposed 600MW green hydrogen production and export facility on New Zealand’s South Island.

The developers of the proposed 1.5GW Marinus Link transmission project, which would link Tasmania and the Australian mainland via an undersea electricity interconnector, have launched a new engineering survey to identify the most suitable corridor for the cables.

The remote Australian township of Jabiru, deep in the heart of Kakadu National Park, has been powered 100% by solar PV during the final commissioning of the new Jabiru Hybrid Renewable Power Station.

Fortescue Metals Group has unveiled plans for a massive 5.4 GW solar PV, wind and battery storage project at its iron ore mining operations in Western Australia.