Former Melbourne Toyota plant becomes hydrogen production centre using solar power

solar powered hydrogen hub

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 […]

First Australian solar farm in Antarctica powers up at Casey station

First Australian solar farm operational at Antarctic's Casey station.

The first Australian solar farm in Antarctica sparked into life this week at remote Casey station using 105 solar panels. The solar power array is among the largest in Antarctica. It will help remote Australian Antarctic research stations like Casey to reduce reliance on diesel generation. As a result it will cut both cost and […]

NSW Coalition promises new rules to promote solar power storage in apartments

A new solar farm in NSW Riverina is part of a large-scale solar boom across Australia.

The NSW Coalition will introduce new rules making it easier for apartments going solar, including power storage if re-elected on Saturday. Premier Gladys Berejiklian says the government will ease strata laws. As a result, it will be easier for strata committees to push through solar panels and energy storage systems. The laws will reduce the […]

Coalition in-fighting over coal damages NSW Liberal state election hopes: Turnbull

Coal in-fighting in Coalition threatens Liberal chances of re-election in NSW says Malcolm Turnbull.

Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says coal in-fighting within the Liberal and National Coalition is damaging NSW Liberal state election candidates’ chances. Criticising the ongoing spat over coal-fired power plants, Turnbull says it will be harder for NSW Liberal Premier Gladys Berejiklian to win office again at the polls on March 23. Federally, pro-coal National […]

Where’s the new plant? Energy Minister queries AGL on its Liddell Power Station plans

AGL to close Liddell coal-fired plant in April 2023.

The ongoing saga of the Liddell Power Station’s future continues. Energy Minister Angus Taylor yesterday called on Liddell owners AGL to commit to its energy replacement plan before the NSW coal-fired plant shuts in 2022. The plant has been a political hot potato since mid-2017, soon after Victoria’s Hazelwood coal-fired station closed. At the time, the […]

Coal mogul blasts Reserve Bank for speech outlining climate change impact

School climate strikes taking place across Australia today.

Australian coal mogul Trevor St Baker has lashed out at the Reserve Bank of Australia for a speech outlining climate change impact on the economy. ERM Power founder Trevor St Baker criticised RBA Deputy Governor Guy Debelle for suggesting climate change is an ongoing trend rather than a temporary cycle. In a speech earlier this week, […]

Gunnedah Solar Farm gets NSW Planning Commission approval for $200 million spend

Gunnedah Solar Farm

The New South Wales Independent Planning Commission (IPC) has given the green light to the Gunnedah Solar Farm. It comes after months of heated debate, including public objections and community meetings against the project. Gunnedah Solar Farm applied to develop the $200 million project, including a 150-megawatt solar farm and additional structures on 795 hectares […]