ARENA backs renewable energy refining to power manganese production
Ore refining could become a whole lot greener by using renewable energy to drive the production of specialty metals. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has granted $490,000 to mining and metals company Element 25 (E25) to explore the viability of using wind and solar power in electrowinning manganese metal. Electrowinning is an upgrading process […]
Majority of South Australians want 100% renewable energy by 2030: TAI poll
Nearly 70 per cent of South Australian voters want their state to adopt 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030. In addition, it seems South Australian renewable energy has overwhelming support across political divides. New polling by The Australian Institute (TAI) shows majority support for renewables like wind and solar power cuts through party affiliations. This includes […]
New coal power fails to make the cut under Coalition’s generation plan
New coal-fired power has failed to make the cut in a shortlist of new generation projects released by the Morrison Government. The Coalition unveiled a selection of 12 projects that could potentially receive taxpayer support as part of its Underwriting New Generation Investments (UNGI) program. The government chose from 66 submissions to the underwriting scheme, which […]
AEMO to Canberra: New Queensland coal-fired plants are not needed
The Morrison Government will not underwrite new Queensland coal-fired power plants, despite intense lobbying from Queensland Nationals. The Federal Liberal-National Coalition yesterday released a short list of recipients of its Underwriting New Generation Investments Program. The only coal-fired generation included was an upgrade to the Lake Macquarie power station in NSW. Earlier this month, six […]
Australia’s rising carbon emissions : 28 Climate Experts can’t be wrong
Australia’s carbon emissions are rising, according to a statement published by the Climate Council and supported by 28 experts in the field of climate science and energy. The climate experts’ statement appeared in a full-page advertisement in the Australian Financial Review on Saturday, March 16, 2019. Australia will not meet its 2030 emission reduction targets […]
Work begins on Western Australia solar with battery storage to follow
Construction has begun at a Western Australia solar farm, WA’s largest solar farm, which is expected to deliver 281 GWh of clean electricity when it’s up and running. Risen Energy’s 132 MW Merredin Solar Farm should start generation towards the end of the year. Eventually it will generate enough clean energy to power around 42,000 […]
NSW election energy policies: Labor, Coalition and Greens platforms for renewable energy reform
The NSW election is this Saturday, March 23, and the race is still too close to call. Energy is a hot topic, and the key parties have made big pledges about energy reform should they win office. In this article we examine the NSW election energy policies put forward by the major parties. With the […]
Hydrogen from seawater: Using solar power for electrolysis
Stanford University researchers have developed a method of generating hydrogen from seawater. The breakthrough harnesses solar power to drive the process of electrolysis to separate hydrogen and oxygen gas from water. Previously, water splitting methods have relied on highly purified water, an expensive and precious resource. Hydrogen fuel is a promising option in the fight […]
Former Melbourne Toyota plant becomes hydrogen production centre using solar power
Australia’s car manufacturing days may be over, but one maker is turning an old asset into a hub for hydrogen from solar. Toyota’s former car plant at Altona in Melbourne’s south-west will soon become a commercial-grade hydrogen production and refuelling site. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) will contribute $3.1 million to help create the […]
Self-forecasting trials predict energy grid inputs for wind & solar power generators
A series of trials will improve the accuracy of solar farm forecasting so the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) can better manage the grid. Eleven projects will test and develop innovative weather-based technology. Large-scale renewable energy generators can then give AEMO more accurate output forecasts. So, wind and solar farms can now submit their own […]
