Wind and solar powered Ecocapsule takes tiny house living to the extreme
The tiny house movement’s latest creation – a mobile egg that is energy self-sufficient – is now available in Australia. Ecocapsule is made by a Slovakian company and is powered by rooftop solar panels and a miniature wind turbine. It can accommodate two people, and is designed to be towed by car. Based in Bratislava, […]
New Gullen hybrid Solar wind Farm pitches in to raise funds for community
Australia’s first hybrid solar wind farm is contributing more than just energy to the community. The Gullen Solar Farm in the NSW Southern Tablelands officially opened February 1, but it’s already active in community fundraising. At the annual Crookwell Show last weekend, solar farm staff raised funds for the Grabben Gullen Community Hall and Grabben […]
Australia on the cusp of an energy storage boom
Australia is on the verge of an energy storage boom, with the price of battery technologies dropping 80 percent since 2010. That’s according to a new report from the Climate Council. It says the nation’s love affair with batteries is blooming, with storage costs tipped to halve again by 2025. The household battery market tripled […]
Complaints about high electricity bills on the rise in NSW
Electricity retailers in NSW are feeling the wrath of their customers, according to the Energy and Water Ombudsman (EWON). Electricity related complaints to the Ombudsman rose 22.4 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2017, most of them regarding high electricity bills. In addition, over the previous 12 months complaints about electricity retailers were up […]
Green light for WA’s Kalbarri renewables microgrid
After suffering years of power outages, a microgrid project incorporating solar, wind and storage will restore reliability to residents living in Kalbarri, WA. The popular tourist town currently relies on electricity delivered via a 140km rural feeder line from Geraldton. Interference to this line can cause extended blackouts. In 2014, Kalbarri recorded more than 80 […]
$250 million program for energy efficient community housing
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) will spend $250 million on a new energy efficient community housing program in Sydney. One thousand new homes will be built to an average 7 star Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) rating. A higher rating means less energy goes to heating, cooling and powering appliances. The Federal Government […]
Tips for reducing Australia’s electricity grid strain this summer
With high temperatures predicted again this weekend, the Australian Energy Market Operator has issued tips for staying cool and reducing the electricity grid strain. AEMO is responsible for making sure Australia’s electricity supply is reliable and adequate for our country’s needs. According to AEMO’s advice, the electricity grid strain is at its most during high demand […]
Electricity prices to soar unless wholesale gas prices come down – report
NSW households could be paying $660 more for electricity by the end of next year unless wholesale gas prices come down. That’s according to a new report from the McKell Institute that warns the Turnbull Government’s inefficient energy policies are the cause of the problem. Commissioned by the Australian Workers Union (AWU), the report found […]
SunSPoT solar savings calculator for installing solar panels on city buildings
An online ‘solar potential tool’ developed by the Australian Photovoltaic Institute (APVI) shows how much renewable energy could be generated by installing rooftop solar panels on Australian buildings. The solar savings calculator tool, known as SunSPoT, is free to use online. It works by zooming in on a building and using a drawing tool to […]
New software helps monitor how solar power impacts grid
Researchers at the University of Queensland are developing software designed to monitor the impact of solar energy systems on electricity distribution networks in Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania. How solar power impacts grid delivered electricity is a growing area of interest as more solar panels are installed on Australian roofs. ARENA and industry partners will fund […]
