Electric concrete? Cars charge while driving with new road technology
Concrete with a magic ingredient could see electric cars (electric vehicles or EVs) of the future charging while they drive on specially built roads. A Perth-based company, Talga, has created a graphene-enhanced concrete offers high levels of electrical conductivity. It’s already used in underfloor heating and lightning protection, however, it could also transform the way […]
Electric vehicle sales to dominate new car market within two decades, says Energeia study
A new industry study expects electric vehicle sales to dominate the new car market within two decades. Modelling from research firm Energeia for ARENA and the CEFC predicts a surge in the uptake of EVs as technological advances cut costs and increase drive-distances. Under all scenarios modelled, EVs make up all new vehicles sales by the […]
Renewables will produce half the world’s electricity by 2050: Bloomberg report
The renewables “trifecta” of wind, solar power and battery storage will supply half the world’s electricity by 2050, says a new report from Bloomberg, Inc, the financial information media corporation. Bloomberg’s New Energy Outlook 2018 predicts that coal will also shrink to 11 per cent of market share by mid-century. It currently supplies 38 per […]
Solar panels and Tesla Powerwall 2 helping competition winners slash energy bills
Five Australian families are enjoying a solar bonanza courtesy of a TV solar giveaway competition. Last year, Channel Nine’s A Current Affair gave each of the five winners a five-kilowatt solar energy system and a Tesla Powerwall 2 battery for energy storage. Now, they are reaping the rewards of low-to-zero power bills. Melbourne’s Gill Williams […]
Kidston 2 solar power and pumped hydro battery gets funding boost
A giant water battery project in far-north Queensland by Genex Power has received conditional funding approval of $516 million. The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) will provide the loan, subject to conditions. Once built, the Kidston Stage 2 project will comprise 250 MW pumped hydro storage integrated with a 270 MW solar farm. It will […]
Abbott hard line on coal could sabotage NEG, says ACT Climate Change Minister
The National Energy Guarantee could be sabotaged if rebel Coalition members take a hard line on carbon emissions in their NEG opposition. That’s the message from ACT Climate Change Minister Shane Rattenbury. He says it will be “very difficult” to approve the NEG in August if the Coalition refuses to compromise. Pressure from coal-centric Coalition MPs […]
Halls Creek WA powers community pool with smart solar installation
Halls Creek in WA is taking steps to slash its energy costs at the local aquatic and recreation centre through a smart solar installation according to a report in The West Australian. The new rooftop solar energy system can also communicate with the grid and call on more power when required. This is partly managed through a […]
Power Ledger to reduce evening grid power surges in Silicon Valley
Power Ledger has made a deal with Silicon Valley Power (SVP) in the US to help tackle the problem of the energy duck curve. Duck curve is a term used to describe the high use of solar power during the day, which means less use of electricity from the main grid. This is followed at night […]
Victoria’s first 10-star energy rating home uses solar to slash bills
Victoria’s first 10-star energy rating home achieves zero electricity bills using solar power and a range of energy saving measures. The coastal home at Cape Paterson faces harsh Victorian winters and warm summers. Yet it functions without mechanical heating and cooling systems. The four-bedroom display home features a passive solar design. This heats and cools […]
Federal MP gives Byron Bay community solar garden the thumbs up
A solar garden scheme created by community energy company Enova has been commended by Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy Mark Butler. Butler visited Enova’s offices in Byron Bay last week, describing the project as “ground breaking”. It would also make clean energy more accessible to renters, he said. Solar gardens – cheaper power […]
