Renewables and energy news that crossed Meralli’s desk last week…
Australian Government Releases New Climate Change Reporting Reforms
The Australian Government has introduced draft legislation to enhance Australia’s economic prospects through cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable energy and mitigating climate change risks. The changes will establish a climate risk disclosure framework, providing transparency and clarity for investors and companies to invest in new opportunities in the net zero transition.
The draft legislation amends the Australian Securities and Investment Commission Act 2001 and the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) to introduce standardised, internationally-aligned reporting requirements for businesses, to ensure they are making high quality climate-related financial disclosures. You can read the full media release here. (Australian Resources)
Dialing Up Clean Energy Investment
The Australian Energy Market Operator and Clean Energy Council say it’s time to remove the handbrake on renewables projects. The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has called for the acceleration of clean energy investment due to growing concerns about reduced reliability and availability of coal-fired generation. The Clean Energy Council says the AEMO’s “Energy Statement of Opportunities” report is a reminder of the importance of new investment to ensure energy security and affordability and to meet Australia’s target of 82 percent renewables by 2030. You can read the full statement here. (Eco Generation)
Opinion: Can Australia Become a Renewable Energy Superpower?
There is no denying the fact that Australia is well-positioned to make a major contribution to the global transition toward renewable energy. However, there are many challenges to attaining this goal and it’s worth exploring what it will take for Australia to achieve its potential as a renewable energy superpower. (PV Magazine)
All-Electric Precinct in the Works for Melbourne Suburbs
Those with the postcode 3068 will soon be one step closer to a green future, with the City of Yarra announcing the creation of a roadmap for an ‘all-electric precinct’. The Yarra Energy Foundation’s Wired for Tomorrow initiative will use Clifton Hill and Fitzroy North – postcode 3068 – as a template for how the City of Yarra can achieve net-zero emissions across the community by 2030. (Renew Economy)
Opinion: Barriers and Solutions to Australia’s Climate Crisis
“If transmission projects and the backlog of renewables waiting to connect to them continue at the rate of deployment without implementing alternative solutions, not only will energy supply and grid reliability suffer, but achieving 82% renewable energy in the next six years will become almost impossible. We need to dismantle the barriers preventing the realisation of 2030 and 2050 targets, with quick action required to resolve Australia’s climate crisis.” Read more here. (PV magazine)
Reflectors in Space Could Make Solar Farms on Earth Work Longer Every Day
Unlocking the potential of space technology for clean energy, a recent proposal suggests revisiting the concept of orbiting solar reflectors. Inspired by the 1993 Russian Znamya-2 experiment, where a reflective structure unfurled in space demonstrated the reflection of solar energy to Earth, scientists believe it’s time to leverage this technology for solar power farms. Using robotic spacecraft to manufacture and assemble hexagonal reflectors in space, these structures would orbit 900km above Earth, extending the hours of electricity generation for solar farms during peak demand times. Illuminating approximately 10km areas for 15 to 20 minutes per pass, these orbiting reflectors could mitigate fossil fuel usage without requiring energy storage during the day. Although still in conceptual stages, this innovative approach could bridge the gap between space and clean energy sectors, fostering a sustainable future while minimising environmental impact. Read more about ‘SOLSPACE: Enhancing Global Clean Energy Services Using Orbiting Solar Reflectors’ here. (Renew Economy)
Our photo of the week (from the Meralli archives) was taken at the Chillamurra Solar Farm in Boggabilla NSW completed in 2017. The groundbreaking award-winning project that started it all!
