Australian research improves scope, efficiency of PV light sensitizers
Australian scientists have developed an algorithm to increase both the efficiency and compatibility of light sensitizers in solar panels.
Renewables driving down Australian energy bills
The Australian Energy Market Commission’s latest annual Residential Electricity Price Trends report shows costs are falling as renewables build-out replaces inefficient coal-fired generation.
Hydro storage project pumps new life into old Australian mine
Centennial Coal has secured more than US$3.8 million in government funding to assess the feasibility of turning a coal mine near Newcastle, New South Wales, into a pumped hydro storage site that could supply 600 MW of renewables to the grid.
Australia’s battery energy storage pipeline at 7 GW
Cornwall Insight estimates Australia’s energy storage pipeline at 7 GW, although most of that capacity is still in the proposal phase. More than 900 MW of storage will be built by 2024 – far more than the market operator’s 2020 forecast.
Improving PV-based hydrogen generation with loss‐mitigation techniques
Australian scientists have demonstrated two loss-mitigation techniques that could improve solar‐to‐hydrogen (STH) conversion efficiencies and may lay the ground for cheaper PV-powered hydrogen generation. By combining the two techniques, they were able to achieve an STH efficiency of around 19.4% at realistic operating temperatures.
ING finances 100 MW/150 MWh storage project in Australia
Vena Australia has reached financial close on its Wandoan South Big Battery, thanks to ING Australia. The international bank is increasingly financing green energy projects, but this is the first standalone battery project it has financed in the Asia Pacific. Vena Energy Australia says this phase is just the beginning of a project that is to feature 650 MW of solar PV and 450 MW of battery storage.
Australian PV plant tests 2 MW/8 MWh vanadium flow battery
Australia’s first utility-scale vanadium flow battery will be built in South Australia. It will demonstrate the tech’s potential to provide energy and frequency control ancillary services for the national grid.
Australia’s largest privately owned shopping mall signs PV deal
The Narellan Town Centre, a shopping mall outside of Sydney, is set to undergo a AUD 40 million (USD 29.9 million) solar transformation with the signing of a 30-year energy partnership with CEP.Energy.
Australian car park to host thousands of solar panels
Australia’s largest shopping mall plans to install more than 400 solar-shaded parking bays as part of a multimillion-dollar parking lot upgrade.
Australian fund champions low-risk utility-scale PV
Small-footprint solar farms can get a purchase on distribution lines, they’re virtually pop-up in terms of construction times, and they offer a smart development model that can be easily repeated. The Solarion Renewable Fund wants to let investors in on its clean little secret.
