Western Australians brace for more electricity bill hikes
Households in Western Australia are bracing for new power bill hikes – an additional 2 per cent to annual bills. According to The West Australian, this means power bills have increased by around 20 per cent since Mark McGowan’s Labor Government took office in 2017. The increase also represents a 100 per cent increase in […]
Australia has big solar thermal future despite collapse of $650 million project
Australia still has a promising solar thermal technology future despite a major Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) project in South Australia failing because of financing issues. Energy expert Simon Currie says the emerging CSP industry can overcome the collapse of SolarReserve’s $650 million Aurora project near Port Augusta. Solar thermal technology is perfect for Australian conditions, […]
Batteries for the Nation: Why storage is key to Australia’s renewable energy future
Australia’s coal-fired power stations will retire over the next decade or two and other forms of energy, like wind and solar power, will take over. Alongside this change will be the need for large-scale national battery storage. Batteries are important because energy operators need to “firm up” the intermittent power from solar and wind. Even […]
Energy efficient community housing saves tenants, developers money
A new apartment complex for low-income tenants has achieved a 7-star rating under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS). The building in Liverpool, NSW, features high-performance glass, insulation to floors, ceilings and walls, and shade to windows. In addition, the six-storey complex also has rooftop solar panels installed, along with ceiling fans in every room. […]
Solar shines as star employer in surging renewable jobs market
Renewable jobs are growing across Australia with jobs in the solar sector growing fastest. Yesterday’s figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show the highest level of estimated full-time equivalent (FTE) employment in renewable energy since 2011-12. The Employment in Renewable Energy Activities, Australia, 2017-18 report shows the staggering advance of solar energy. Construction […]
Solar panel silver: Global popularity of solar power raises price of silver
Researchers in the UK predict the global popularity of solar power is contributing to an increase in the price of silver. Silver is the most conductive element for both electrical and thermal energy. As a result, it is used widely in the production of solar panels. As solar panel demand increases, so does the demand […]
Electric vehicle poll: two-thirds of respondents plan to buy an electric car
A poll commissioned by the Climate Council shows one in six people plan on buying an electric vehicle as their next car. Two-thirds of all respondents believe that electric cars are the future of Australian transport. The YouGov Galaxy poll surveyed 861 eligible voters online between April 10 and 11 2019. Climate Councillor and former head […]
Major energy stakeholders urge AEMO to consider low-carbon future
Energy stakeholders have called for more detail in the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) 2019 Planning and Forecasting Consultation Paper. The 24 written responses will inform AEMO’s Integrated System Plan for Australia’s energy low-carbon future. A top concern from industry stakeholder was that the projections for generator retirements – specifically coal-fired plants – needs to […]
Electricity disconnections soar in WA as solar energy makes up ground
Electricity disconnections in Western Australia have reached a six-year high due to rising energy bills and unemployment rates. Close to 20,000 West Australians had their power switched off for non-payment of bills in 2017-18, a report by the WA Economic Regulation Authority shows. The rate of residential electricity disconnections in the state has more than doubled […]
2020 vision: Rooftop solar panels to exceed output of Liddell power station says Green Energy Markets
Rooftop solar panel systems could generate more energy than the retiring Liddell coal-fired power station by the end of 2020, according to Green Energy Markets (GEM). The GEM March Renewable Energy Index shows rooftop solar on track to add 2,000 MW of capacity to the grid in 2019. These rooftop solar panel system installations would […]
