Electricity grid upgrade: Australia’s Energy Market Operator wants more storage, better transmission networks
Energy storage and transmission in Australia has never been more important to the future of the National Electricity Market (NEM). That’s the upshot of new analysis from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) containing proposals for an electricity grid upgrade. This week’s ‘Insights’ report expands on the ‘Integrated System Plan’ for the NEM that AEMO […]
Victoria’s Kiamal Solar Farm takes delivery of game-changing synchronous condenser
A massive synchronous condenser imported for use at Kiamal Solar Farm in Victoria marks a new era for renewable energy integration in Australia. The Kiamal Solar Farm near Ouyen in north-western Victoria, should begin operation at the end of the year. Measuring 55 x 65 metres, the new Siemens synchronous condenser solves the problem of […]
Victorian Solar Homes: Industry calls for expansion of popular solar rebate program
Victoria’s Solar Homes program filled its monthly quota in just three days when the hugely popular scheme re-opened for business on July 1, 2019. The speed of the uptake breaks records for the State Government program, prompting the Smart Energy Council (SEC) to call on the government to expand it. The government should reduce the […]
Renewable energy grid future hinges on better battery storage
Despite continued investment in renewable energy, the clean energy transformation can only happen at a national scale with long-term renewable storage. Writing in CleanTechnica, technologist Steve Hanley says the electricity industry is waiting for new technology to push past the current two to four hours of large-scale battery storage. According to Hanley, four to six […]
Born on the 4th of July: Solar power is as American as apple pie
Americans are embracing solar as never before – and the booming solar power movement in the United States is a pure expression of the nation’s founding philosophy. That’s the opinion of US-based solar developer John Weaver. He claims rooftop solar panels embody the “free society” so beloved of America’s founding fathers in the 18th century. […]
United States utilities roll out big solar and storage plans as coal flags
Energy storage technology is increasingly helping United States energy utilities make the shift away from fossil fuels to renewable generation. Two major power providers have announced plans to add solar, storage and gas infrastructure. These are PNM in the Western US state of New Mexico and the TVA in the Southern state of Tennessee. It’s […]
Clean energy beats coal: hydro, wind and solar produce more electricity than brown coal for first time ever
Renewables supplied more energy to the Australian grid than brown coal over the 2018-19 financial year new data shows. The University of Melbourne’s College of Climate and Energy claims it’s the first time ever that renewable energy sources have beaten brown coal in supplying electricity. The clean energy mix was a combination of hydroelectricity, wind […]
Solar panels to power growing global demand for air-conditioners
Electricity demand to feed a rapidly increasing use of air conditioners in emerging economies will almost double by 2050, a new report shows. Bloomberg New Energy Finance’s (BNEF) New Energy Outlook 2019 reports that air-conditioning will make up 12.7 per cent of global electricity demand by mid-century. However, the report also shows that solar panels […]
July 2019: Phase 2 Victorian Solar Homes subsidies start
The second round of Victorian Solar Homes subsidies has rolled out, and the new financial year means a new way of applying for your Victorian solar panel subsidy. Eligible households can still apply for $2,225 off the cost of a rooftop solar power system or 50 per cent of the system price (whichever is lowest). […]
Charging ahead: Lightyear One solar car has five square meters of solar panels
The Dutch-designed Lightyear One solar EV is challenging the electric vehicle market with five square metres of solar panels built into its roof and bonnet. The innovative solar car self-charges as you drive, with enough enough solar panels to power around 20,000 km annually. However, not everyone will be rushing out to buy one when production begins […]
