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 (17/07/2023 edition):
Australian Government to Develop Community Engagement Review
The Australian Government is developing a Community Engagement Review to strengthen community engagement reforms surrounding renewable energy infrastructure upgrades and new developments. Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner (AEIC) Andrew Dyer will lead the Community Engagement Review, which will report to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy in December 2023. The assessment will offer recommendations on maximising participation and benefit in energy infrastructure design, development, and operation, especially for communities, landowners, and First Nations people. (Australian Resources)
QLD Gov releases REZ Roadmap draft
The Queensland government has identified a dozen regions across the state for renewable energy zones that will form the backbone of its $62 billion (USD 41.5 billion) energy transition plan that calls for an additional 22 GW of new wind and solar projects by 2035. You can read the 2023 Queensland Renewable Energy Zone Roadmap in full here. (PV Magazine)
Federal Gov declares second offshore wind zone
The Federal Government has officially declared Australia’s second offshore wind zone in the Pacific Ocean off the Hunter region in NSW. The declared area stretches over 1,800km² between Swansea and Port Stephens and could generate up to 5GW of wind energy, enough to power an estimated 4.2 million homes and power local industries into the future. The final area was declared after two months of public consultation with a smaller footprint than the original proposed zone. (Energy Magazine)
AEMO publishes Engineering Roadmap FY2024 Priority Actions Report
Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has published the Engineering Roadmap FY2024 Priority Actions Report, outlining the activities AEMO plans to undertake in the 2023–24 financial year (FY2024) to help prepare the National Electricity Market (NEM) for operation at times of 100 percent instantaneous renewables.
The report seeks to continue the work from the Engineering Roadmap to 100% Renewables, by providing transparency on the specific activities AEMO is progressing in FY2024, while also providing an update on the extensive progress made in FY2023 by AEMO and industry to increase preparedness. Read the full report here. (AEMO)
Federal Gas Code becomes law
The Federal Government’s Mandatory Gas Code of Conduct (Gas Code) has now been established as law. The primary objective of the Code is to guarantee the accessibility of Australian gas to local consumers at fair prices. It aims to provide producers with the confidence required to make investments in the gas supply sector while simultaneously ensuring that Australia continues to be a dependable trading partner. The Code has been registered and will come into effect from 11 July 2023. (Energy Magazine)
Why are climate records breaking all at once?
In the past few weeks, climate records have shattered across the globe. July 4 was the hottest global average day on record, breaking the new record set the previous day. Average sea surface temperatures have been the highest ever recorded and Antarctic sea ice extent the lowest on record. So what’s going on with the climate, and why are we seeing all these records tumbling at once? Find out in this article by Renew Economy’s Kimberley Reid. (Renew Economy)
Industry and Stakeholders Consultation: Hydrogen Headstart
ARENA wants hydrogen industry and stakeholders to help create a transformative scale up of Australia’s renewable hydrogen capacity. Australia’s $2 billion Hydrogen Headstart Initiative has reached an important stage. Consultation is now open. The flagship program will likely support some of the biggest hydrogen projects yet built and operated in Australia. (ARENA)
Virtual Webinar
Date: 2.30pm Monday 24 July, 2023
Register for the Virtual Webinar
Have Your Say: TAS Water Supply Bill
The Tasmania Government has announced that consultation is open for its Water Miscellaneous (Delegation and Industrial Water Supply) Bill 2023. The draft Bill contains proposed amendments to water legislation designed to enable Tasmanian Irrigation to supply water to the Tasmanian Green Hydrogen Hub at Bell Bay. The government believes Tasmania can play a key role in the local, national and international transition to green energy. (Utility Magazine)
Consultation on the draft Bill is open until 8 August 2023 at 5pm (EST), visit the Department of Natural Resources and Environment’s website for more information.
Public consultation period commences Monday 10 July 2023
Public consultation period closes on Tuesday 8 August 2023 at 5:00pm (EST)
The world has gone Barbie mad, even the EV industry!
Australian actress Margot Robbie drives a custom electric 1956 Corvette in the new Barbie movie, but General Motors (GM) is using the film to market SUVs from its growing EV range, including Ken’s EV Hummer. GM’s Barbie marketing deal comes as two recent reports show that record SUV sales, driven by advertising from car manufacturers, could be undoing some of the sustainability gains made by Australians buying more electric vehicles. (The Driven)
MCFA Seminar Series: Quantifying the Impacts of Demand Response in the NEM
Win’s research conducts scenario analysis to evaluate the impact of demand response (DR) in the NEM. By incorporating increased flexible demand into AEMO’s future generation mix, his study supports policymakers in assessing the viability of utilising DR to address Australia’s energy trilemma. His novel contribution lies in integrating DR mechanisms into the Australian spot market, and it unravels a significant caveat: the NEM, under consumer-driven electricity demand with the emergence of sector coupling, could lead to operational reliability challenges. The analysis sheds light on pivotal considerations for the NEM in triumphing over the energy trilemma with increased VRE penetration in 2035.
Chris Bowen on climate and renewable targets | Energy Insiders Podcast
Federal climate and energy minister Chris Bowen defends targets as ambitious and achievable, as he prepares to announce Hunter offshore wind zone and roll out capacity mechanism and fuel efficiency standards.
Our photo of the week (from the Meralli archives) was taken at the Baroota Solar Farm completed in 2019 at Baroota, South Australia. Baroota Solar Farm’s annual CO2 offset is expected to be 12,184 tonnes and a generation capacity capable of powering 2,267 homes on average.
