South Australians could adopt solar to escape world’s highest power prices
Solar systems could be the best way for South Australian households to avoid rising power prices. That’s the opinion of energy economist and Director of Carbon and Energy Markets (CME), Dr Bruce Mountain. Recently, Dr Mountain published data that found Australia’s power prices had risen sharply since June. South Australia’s are now the highest in the world. Data […]
Renewable hydrogen trial could help decarbonise Australian gas network
A new trial will see excess solar and wind power stored as renewable hydrogen and injected into Australia’s largest gas network. With $5 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), Wollongong-based company, AquaHydrex, has developed a new class of electrolyser to produce cheap renewable hydrogen by splitting water. The trial involves injecting […]
CEC urges Turnbull Government to adopt Clean Energy Target
The Clean Energy Council (CEC) is urging the Federal Government to support the Finkel Review’s Clean Energy Target. CEC Executive Director Kane Thornton said a long-term energy policy will accelerate private sector investment. In a statement, Mr Thornton said the Finkel reforms are “meaningless” without a Clean Energy Target (CET). Furthermore, he believes reforms will modernise the energy sector […]
Push to extend life of battery energy storage systems
Utilities want to see the life of battery energy storage systems (BESS) extended to 10 years, new research shows. A study undertaken by global research and consulting organisation Frost & Sullivan reveals utilities are demanding the increase to win greater return on their investments in renewable energy. There is also increasing demand from industry to […]
Australian solar EPCs face survival of fittest
A surge in the solar construction market should force less efficient solar EPCs out, research reveals. Despite an increase in projects entering the pipeline, the utility solar construction sector will lose solar players, data shows. The latest report by Sustainable Energy Research Analytics (SERA) shows the solar engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) market in Australia is booming. […]
ARENA push for concentrated solar thermal
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) reports a strong response from industry and investors on concentrated solar thermal (CST). This follows ARENA’s call for information from industry, solar manufacturers and green energy investors about CST. The call ended on 31 July, and ARENA is now evaluating responses to see how ready we are to embrace this […]
Australia underperforming in essential climate science: report
Australia’s climate science research sector is world-class, but risks falling behind global efforts in areas such as climate modelling. That’s according to a new report from the Australian Academy of Science. The report found the nation must improve coordination of climate science programs among research bodies and universities. The review surveyed the performance of Australia’s […]
States embrace green energy, but emissions rise
The Climate Council has pointed to Australia’s failed climate and energy policy, as new data shows greenhouse gas emissions are rising. Emissions rose a full one per cent between March 2016 and March 2017, with national emission levels (excluding land use and forestry sector) increasing by 1.6 per cent during the March 2017 quarter. The […]
Turnbull summons power companies to discuss lowering electricity bills
Malcolm Turnbull wants electricity companies to report to Canberra next week with ideas for reducing consumer electricity bills. The Prime Minister has summoned Energy Australia, Origin Energy, AGL Snowy Hydro, Momentum Energy, Alinta Energy, Simply Energy plus the Australian Energy Council for input on how to cut power prices. In addition to the energy chiefs, Treasurer Scott Morrison and […]
‘Coal cash’ to slash Wollongong electricity bills with rooftop solar solution
A Wollongong mayoral candidate is calling for a $400,000 ‘coal cash’ loan scheme to fund rooftop solar for low-income households. In a statement to Energy Matters, Greens mayoral candidate Mithra Cox said she wants to establish a $400,000 fund for interest-free loans. Loans would be available to Wollongong residents on low incomes to buy rooftop solar. The loan […]
