Solar powered water device extracts clean H2O from thin air
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced an Aussie-first trial of a solar powered water producing device that extracts drinking water from the air. The portable SOURCE hydropanel system, from US-based Zero Mass Water, sucks moisture from the atmosphere using solar power. The process purifies and also adds minerals to ensure the water is […]
Solar energy boom leading to sharp increases in renewable energy sector jobs: ABS
Newly released stats from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show an increase in full-time renewable energy sector jobs of approximately 33 per cent in 2016-17 from the previous year. Large-scale solar energy installations, rooftop solar and wind farms were the biggest contributors to this jump in employment numbers, which sit at almost 15,000. The […]
Dairy farmers set to trade solar electricity on virtual microgrid
Dairy farmers in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley could soon generate and trade energy via a virtual microgrid thanks to a feasibility study funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). ARENA is putting $370,000 towards a feasibility study for the $775,000 project, which is being led by Brooklyn-based energy company LO3 Energy. Because the virtual microgrid […]
Solar power will cut electricity bills to zero, says South Australian Water Corp
According to its chief, the SA Water solar program’s latest solar power goal will deliver zero net electricity costs by 2020. The corporation is looking to install 152 MW of solar PV, along with 35 megawatt-hours of battery storage at 70 of its sites across the state. The aim, according to SA Water CEO Roch Cheroux, is […]
Offgrid threat: Market operator fears Australian solar power users will abandon the electricity grid
The CEO of Australia’s energy market operator says she is “truly concerned” about the offgrid threat of the rooftop solar boom on the electricity network, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. Audrey Zibelman, CEO of the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), said this week that the solar power revolution could increase the costs of electricity for […]
NEG disadvantages ‘will cripple renewables’ says industry body
The National Energy Guarantee or NEG disadvantages will cripple Australia’s renewable energy sector and is worse than doing nothing, claims the Smart Energy Council. Australia’s energy ministers approved further development of the NEG design at last week’s meeting of the COAG Energy Council. However, the Smart Energy Council says the Coalition must commit to slashing carbon […]
UK’s leading science park installs Tesla Powerpacks as part of energy strategy
The UK’s leading science and technology park has just installed four Tesla Powerpacks outside its central building as part of its long-term energy strategy. The installation also includes two charge points for electric vehicles. Manchester Science Partnerships (MSP) operates a business community of over 120 innovative science and technology businesses. Its Manchester Science Park is […]
New flow battery could break industry reliance on peak electricity
A flow battery developed by Lockheed Martin could revolutionise industry by breaking its reliance on large renewable energy power plants. Because utilities rely on generating electricity during peak hours, it’s hard to meet increased consumer demand in the evening. This is when households use lights, heating, electronic devices and kitchen appliances. The longer-lasting ‘flow battery’ […]
Rising electricity prices and the RET ending: experts discuss Australia’s renewable energy future
With no concrete plans to replace the Renewable Energy Target or RET that is due to come to an end in 2030 (and will reduce in value year-on-year until this date), it may give the impression that the industry is downbeat about the future of solar power and battery storage systems. The RET is an Australian Government […]
Solar charging stations needed to meet global electric car boom
More than 50 per cent of new global car sales will be electric by 2040, new Bloomberg research shows. And solar charging stations will be needed to fuel them. Lithium battery prices are also predicted to fall a staggering 70 per cent by 2030, data reveals. Electric cars will subsequently be cheaper than gas engines by 2024. […]
