Renewables and energy news that crossed Meralli’s desk recently…
A major blackout left 500,000 Victorian homes without power – but it shows our energy system is resilient
As Victorian homeowners call for better grid infrastructure after outages left thousands without power this week, new data from research company Rystad Energy suggests the whole world’s transmission network may be a stumbling block to energy transition. (PV Magazine)
How solar panels could act as a bushfire early warning system
Residential and commercial solar could assist in detecting wildfires, if the systems were able to share the real-time data they collect that indicates smoke cover. PV (photovoltaic) systems could provide an early warning detection of wildfires by measuring fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, in the air and comparing solar panel performance to a normal clear day. Add in observations of solar irradiance, weather data, and thousands of residential PV systems, and a widespread smoke monitoring network could be achievable. (Renew Economy)
QLD joins VIC and NSW in establishing robust 2035 emissions reduction target
A recent decision by the Queensland Government to legislate a strong 2035 emissions reduction target of 75% is another important marker in driving state and federal climate ambition, according to the Carbon Market Institute (CMI). The move follows the passing of a similar bill in New South Wales late last year, and the tabling of proposed amendments to Victoria’s Climate Change Act to establish a 2035 goal of 75-80% reductions. (Carbon Market Institute)
Report identifies bottlenecks preventing renewables uptake in WA
A new report prepared for the Australian Energy Council has identified key bottlenecks preventing renewable energy projects from proceeding in Western Australia. Roadblocks including a lack of new electricity transmission planning and investment, along with lengthy, costly and opaque grid connection processes, risk derailing Western Australia’s plans to decarbonise and bring new renewables and dispatchable plants onto the grid according to the report, Bottlenecks affecting generation investment in Western Australia. (Energy Magazine)
Inside Australia’s green energy transition: The technologies fueling clean electricity
New tools being adopted in Australia are largely firming technologies – or finding ways to maintain a steady supply of electricity from an intermittent power source for a sustained time period. But what are the persistent challenges and how is Australia making progress towards cutting back dependence on fossil fuels? (Investment Monitor)
Slow progress at Snowy 2.0
Federal government owned utility Snowy Hydro says it is slowly regaining ground on the beleaguered Snowy 2.0 pumped hydro project, after a horror year that brought tunneling progress to a stand-still and saw costs blow out to $12 billion. How much progress has been made and what are the latest challenges? (Renew Economy)
Our photo of the week (from the Meralli archives)…. The rod that changes everything.
The PEG substructure is mobile, light weight, simple to install with only hand tools, requiring no DC trenching, no foundations, no concrete. The PEG provides a more sustainable solution for solar at a significantly reduced CAPEX. Combined with our custom build process, the PEG substructure allows us to build regional solar farms faster than most alternatives without sacrificing quality or durability.
