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 (14/08/2023 edition):
QLD on track to surpass renewable energy target
Queensland is on track to surpass its target of 50 percent renewable energy by 2030, with more than a quarter of the state’s energy now powered by renewables. It’s expected Queensland will connect a further 682MW of new clean generation before Christmas 2023 with the implementation of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan in full swing. The increase in renewable energy uptake, thanks to large-scale investment and global partnerships, has seen Queensland’s renewable energy supply increase by more than 20 percent in just one year and by more than 250 percent in eight years. (Utility Magazine)
Battery storage overtakes pumped hydro
The charging capacity of big batteries in Australia’s main grid has overtaken that of pumped hydro following the connection of two new battery projects – the Capital big battery in the ACT and the Bouldercombe big battery in Queensland. According to data from Rystad Energy analyst David Dixon, the operational charging capacity of big batteries in the National Electricity Market now stands at 1451 megawatts (MW), compared to 1,340MW for pumped hydro. Read more here. (Renew Economy)
Lithium Australia signs lithium extraction technology deal
Lithium Australia, a battery technology company, has signed an agreement with mining company Mineral Resources (MinRes), to form a joint venture (JV) related to its LieNA disruptive lithium extraction technology. As part of the agreement, MinRes will solely fund up to A$4.5m ($2.95m) for the development and operation of a proposed pilot plant and an engineering study for a demonstration plant. (Mining Technology)
EOI: 100MW of Large-scale solar Renewables in NT
Jacana Energy, owned by the Northern Territory (NT) government, is seeking non-binding expressions of interest from interested parties for up to 100 megawatts (MW) of additional renewable energy for the Darwin-Katherine region. The EOI will open on Tuesday 22 August, with submissions required by 26 September 2023. Read the press release here. (Jacana Energy)
Rio Tinto to build BIPV Solar Farm at Diavik Diamond Mine in Canadian Arctic
Rio Tinto, a major resources company headquartered in Australia, has revealed plans to construct the biggest solar power facility in Canada’s northwest territories. This facility aims to provide power to the Diavik Diamond Mine, which is situated around 200 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle. (PV Magazine)
Could Brisbane’s iconic ferries be all-electric by 2032 Olympics?
Queensland’s longest-serving boat builder Norman Wright and Sons says it can deliver a fleet of all-electric ferries for Brisbane in time for the 2032 Olympic games, but not using the solar-covered boats the city is currently testing. Norman R. Wright and Sons revealed it is partnering with New Zealand’s EV Maritime in a bid to build a new generation of all-electric Brisbane River ferries. (The Driven)
CSIRO and Boeing Release Sustainable Aviation Fuel Roadmap
CSIRO, in collaboration with Boeing Australia, has released a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Roadmap, which identifies opportunities to develop an Australian SAF industry. According to the roadmap, Australia has a moment-in-time opportunity to develop a SAF industry, with domestic demand for jet fuel expected to increase by 75 percent by 2050.
Unlike conventional jet fuel, SAF is produced from renewable sources – like agricultural waste, animal fats, and vegetable oils – and significantly reduces carbon emissions over the fuel’s life cycle making it a more sustainable alternative for powering aircraft. (Energy Magazine)
How does Vehicle to Grid (V2G) work? | Best EV
Vehicle to Grid could be the biggest tech innovation since renewable energy became commercially viable. But how does it work?
Australia’s biggest agri-solar and battery project | Energy Insiders Podcast
Luke Osborne from Stride Renewables on the happy marriage of farming, solar and battery storage, and why community outreach works.
Our photo of the week (from the Meralli archives) was taken at the Tamburlaine Solar Farm. Located at Cudal, New South Wales, Tamburlaine Solar Farm was built in 2020. A small agribusiness project at only 99.5kW DC, it is designed to offset winery processing power.
