AEMC draft rule supports competitive market for home battery and solar
A draft rule from the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) supports a competitive market for ‘behind the meter’ energy resources like home battery storage. Behind the meter, or BTM resources, refers to standalone energy resources on a consumer’s property. They include home battery storage and rooftop solar. The rule is in response to requests from the COAG Energy Council and […]
Blockchain boosts peer-to-peer green energy trading
Power Ledger has launched a form of bitcoin, a virtual currency allowing consumers to practice green energy trading. The leading Australian peer-to-peer platform is creating a new kind of renewable energy marketplace. The token-trading platform will enable householders, businesses, strata holders and property developers to generate renewable power. They can also trade surplus energy with […]
South Australia calls for next-generation renewable technology
The South Australian Government is calling for next-generation projects based on renewable technology. The Government is looking for ground-breaking projects to deliver clean, reliable and affordable power. As part of the $150 million Renewable Technology Fund announced in March 2017, the Government has issued new Investment Guidelines. The Government specifies three main areas for project submissions: Firming […]
Renewable energy close to meeting domestic power needs: report
Renewable energy is well on the way to meeting Australian domestic power demand, a new report reveals. Australia produced enough renewable energy between July 2016 and June 2017 to power 7.1 million homes, figures show. That’s the equivalent of 70 per cent of all Australian households. The statistics come from the Renewable Energy Index 2016-2017 Benchmark […]
WA experiencing ‘energy poverty’ due to power costs: report
Single parents and seniors living alone are being hit hardest by Western Australia’s rising energy costs, a new report shows. Released today, the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre report shows over 10 per cent of some household incomes is spent on gas and electricity. Western Australians are turning to solar power to offset rising tariffs. Rooftop […]
Should your mortgage cover solar panels and battery storage too?
A start-up mortgage broker is pushing for major lenders to bundle home loans with finance for solar panel and battery storage installation. Digital mortgage service Uno Home Loans told Energy Matters the move would boost property values. CEO Vincent Turner said currently banks see solar and batteries as distinct from home buying. “There’s nothing stopping [home […]
Audi’s next-gen EVs to feature solar roofs
Audi has confirmed it is working with Hanergy subsidiary Alta Devices to incorporate solar roofs into its new electric vehicles (EVs). The partners hope to generate solar energy to increase the range of Audi E-Tron EV models. The solar roofs will use Alta Devices’ high-efficiency thin-film solar cells embedded into a section of panoramic glass. […]
Global solar energy capacity set to beat nuclear in near future
Global solar energy capacity is on the rise, and is fast catching up to nuclear, according to a report by Green Tech Media (GTM). GTM’s research indicates nuclear is still slightly in front at 391.5 gigawatts (GW), compared with solar power’s expected 390GW capacity for 2017. However, solar power capacity is expected to reach 871GW […]
Huge Qld solar power farm to boost local economy
Queensland’s Western Downs Council has approved the development of a new 250-megawatt (MW) solar farm, 25 km from the town of Wandoan. This is the council’s eighth solar power farm approval. Delgar solar farm, a Shell Australia project, is expected to initially generate hundreds of jobs in the region. It’s also anticipated the project will deliver […]
New solar forecasting tool boosts energy efficiency
A breakthrough solar forecasting service developed in the UK looks set to boost efficiency and reduce energy costs. The innovative technology can predict energy generation from solar PV systems up to 72 hours ahead. The tool was developed by Solar Sheffield, the research arm of the UK’s University of Sheffield. Sheffield Solar has worked closely with […]
