Here’s a wrap-up of all the key news across solar and other renewables last week. Grab your coffee, here’s the industry must-knows for the week (03/07\/2023 edition):
Report: Australia remains energy export world leader
A report from Geoscience Australia has shown that the nation has retained its status as a global leader in the energy supply chain, with promising increases in renewable energy production. Australia’s Energy Commodity Resources Assessment 2023 (AECR 2023), provides a snapshot of Australia’s non-renewable energy resources, including gas, oil, uranium and coal, as at the end of 2021.
It also reports on clean technologies such as hydrogen production and carbon capture use and storage (CCUS). While AECR 2023 shows the downward effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on Australia’s production and export of energy commodities in 2021, the trend was not seen across Australia’s renewable energy production, which increased by 10.4 per cent. The AECR 2023 digital publication is available here: AECR 2023 (Energy Magazine)
The latest round of electricity generation Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) auctions is underway.
Bids representing more than 3.3GW total capacity have already been submitted to the NSW 380MW firming tender round. The partnership between NSW and the Commonwealth will boost the 380 MW of firmed capacity being sought in the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap’s firming tender to 930 MW to fill the gap that will be created by the impending closure of Australia’s ageing coal-fired power plants. (AU Manufacturing)
Have your say on second offshore wind zone proposed in VIC
The Southern Ocean off Portland has been proposed by the State Government as Victoria’s second offshore wind declared area, as a 60-day public consultation process is to be undertaken before a decision is made by the Federal Government. The Victorian Government has set targets for at least 2GW of offshore wind capacity by 2032, 4GW by 2035 and 9GW by 2040. Offshore Wind Energy Victoria (OWEV) will continue to work with local Traditional Owners to discuss the potential zone and ensure future development of offshore wind in the area is undertaken in genuine partnership.
This proposal is a first step of engagement for government to seek public feedback on the marine uses and users across the region, and further public feedback will be sought by developers as individual projects are proposed and developed. (Energy Magazine)
To have your say:
– Read the consultation documents
– Take the survey or make a submission
– Attend community drop-in sessions
– Submit your feedback by 11.59pm on 31 August 2023
Summit showcases WA’s potential as a renewable energy and critical minerals powerhouse
The Smart Energy Council has held its WA Renewables and Critical Minerals Superpower Summit in Perth, highlighting the potential for the State to become a renewable energy and critical minerals powerhouse. Smart Energy Council Chief Executive John Grimes said, “Western Australia produces 50% of the world’s lithium, which is used to power electric vehicles and residential solar batteries, two pillars of the net zero economy”. He noted that Western Australia is well-positioned to gain from the race to net zero, with so many other critical minerals and world-leading mining industry. (Australian Resources)
New meaning given to ‘crap’ solar with Melbourne warehouse’s rooftop install
Who Gives a Crap, a popular Australian toilet paper company, has installed a rooftop solar system on its Melbourne warehouse spelling out the words ‘we give a crap.’ The company said the installation saved around 24% on last month’s electricity bill. “We are planning to expand solar to all of our Australian warehouses within the next 12 months and have just launched the first ever electric vehicle toilet paper fleet,” Elissa Foster, Head of Sustainability at Who Gives a Crap, said. “We’re also looking into end-of-life battery solutions to tie it all together.” (PV Magazine)
You can also read the Who Gives a Crap blog post about how they convinced their landlords to write CRAP in solar panels on their warehouse roof. Read it in full here. (Who Gives a Crap)
Officeworks set to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030
Australian retailing major Officeworks has flicked the switch on its first behind-the-meter rooftop solar and battery energy storage system as it works towards using only renewable electricity to power operations by 2025 as part of its ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030. ““The rising cost of living, increasing energy prices, inflationary pressure, and the impacts of climate change, means that we need to look at new ways to innovate, while ensuring we’re investing in a sustainable future for us all.” said Officeworks Chief Financial Officer Brendan Hargreaves (PV Magazine)
ZSW renewable research centre named “AI Champion”
German renewable research centre ZSW has been named an “AI Champion” for a system using artificial intelligence designed to prevent birds from colliding with wind turbines. The Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg, or ZSW, was presented the award by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs. (Renew Economy)
Countrywide Hydrogen signs partnership deal Walkinshaw Automotive Group to develop hydrogen fuel cell powered trucks and prime movers for the Australian market.
While left-hand drive trucks are available for import there are no right-hand drive hydrogen fuel cell trucks on the market in Australia. ReNu Energy Executive Director and Countrywide Managing Director Geoffrey Drucker said: “This partnership with Walkinshaw is aimed at fast tracking the introduction of hydrogen fuel cell trucks across Australia and has an added benefit to the Australian economy as it complements the federal government’s goal to rebuild the nation’s manufacturing especially where it has a positive energy impact.” (AU Manufacturing)
Something big happened in Australia last week.
Within days of each other, two electric vehicles were launched with price tags below $39,000. MG unveiled its MG4 for $38,990, and held the title of Australia’s most affordable EV for just four days before BYD launched its much-anticipated Dolphin Dynamic for $38,890, pipping the MG4 by $100. Depending which state you’re in, EV subsidies will bring this price down further. Read more here. (The Driven)
NATO Secretary General – Climate and security, the new nexus |NATO News
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg took part in a transatlantic conversation on climate and security, together with Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the European Commission, John Kerry, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, and Frans Timmermans, First Vice-President of the European Commission.
Blades vs Wings: Wind Turbine Technologies to Save Bats and Birds | Engineering with Rosie
Are wind turbines indiscriminate bird killers as many news stories and politicians would have us believe, or are they the renewable energy technology that will ultimately save them?
2023 BYD Dolphin Australia Configurator Walkthrough & MG 4 Comparison
Walkthrough of how to order BYD Dolphin via Website Configurator and comparison on paper versus MG 4 by Tesla Tom of Ludicrous Feed in Sydney Australia June 2023
Small town, medium battery – big solar win | Solar Insiders Podcast
We head to the Victorian goldfields town of Maldon to hear why it’s the perfect place for a community battery – and how grid-side energy storage is becoming a key network tool.
Australia’s rise as an electro-state | Energy Insiders Podcast
Alan Finkel on Australia’s potential to emerge as an “electro-state” with its wind and solar resources, and his Powering Up book. Plus: More big battery deals.
Battery storage is booming. Now what do we do with it? | Factor This! Podcast
Key Capture Energy co-founder and CEO Jeff Bishop joined Episode 50 of the Factor This! podcast to break down how states should, and shouldn’t, go about procuring battery storage, and why software is a crucial piece of the puzzle.
Our photo of the week (from the Meralli archives) was taken mid-build at our Wathagar Solar Farm, located in Moree NSW. Here you can clearly see our state-of-the-art approach to construction and the PEG substructure.
