Wind developers in Australia are increasingly incorporating battery storage into their projects to address the challenge of low prices in the energy market. Battery manufacturers are offering longer warranties to support wind and solar hybrids, with some warranties extending up to 30 years. Turbine manufacturers like Goldwind and Envision are already testing wind and battery storage systems to better understand their potential in modern grids. The trend towards wind and battery hybrids is expected to become as common as solar-based hybrids in the future. Battery sizing for wind farms is complex, with considerations for revenue cannibalization and the timing of power generation influencing storage needs. Hybrid configurations offer benefits such as utilizing existing sites and monetizing curtailed energy, with considerations for turbine level power limits being important in modeling DC-coupled hybrids.
Author: Reneweconomy.com
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Wind, solar and battery records tumble on last day of Autumn in Australia’s most coal dependent grid
Queensland achieved a new record of 79.5% instantaneous renewables plus storage share of consumption on May 31, 2026, surpassing the previous high of 78.4% in April 2026. This increase was attributed to the use of batteries, exports, and curtailment to manage the midday surplus, showcasing the growing importance of storage in NEM operations. Despite being the most coal-dependent grid in Australia, Queensland's transition towards higher renewable energy usage is evident. The significant increase in battery share of consumption highlights the state's progress towards a more sustainable energy future.
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Proposal for high fixed network charges is wrong on home batteries, dynamic pricing, and impact on CER
The AEMC's Pricing Review on electricity pricing aims to assess the effectiveness, efficiency, and equity of current network electricity pricing and services in the context of increasing deployment of rooftop PV, home batteries, and electric vehicles. The focus is on putting electricity users first, addressing affordability challenges, improving energy self-sufficiency, and reducing environmental impacts. Household electrification and consumer energy resources are key to achieving these aims, as they can help flatten distribution network load peaks, increase network utilization, reduce costs, decrease emissions, and support the Federal Government's renewables target. The section also discusses the potential impact of moving network charges to fixed costs on the uptake of clean energy resources (CER) such as solar, batteries, and heat pumps, emphasizing the need for rigorous analysis to determine the net impact of CER on network costs, spot prices, and emissions reductions. Ultimately, the focus should be on policies and regulations that facilitate the uptake of CER to reduce electricity costs for all customers.
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State locks in six renewable energy zones after final round of nips, tucks and rethinks
Victoria has declared five onshore renewable energy zones and one shoreline zone to increase its share of battery-backed wind and solar energy to 65% by 2030 and 95% by 2035. The final design includes zones in South West, Central Highlands, Gippsland, Western, and North West, with the Central North zone still under consideration. Changes were made to the South West and Central Highlands zones based on environmental concerns and land availability. The Gippsland region will host both onshore and shoreline renewable energy zones, with the latter connecting offshore wind farms to the grid. The government considered feedback but not all requests were implemented. The zones aim to balance community concerns with developer interests, utilize strong wind and solar resources near existing transmission lines, exclude areas of high biodiversity value, facilitate the transition away from coal-fired power stations, and ensure better coordination of renewable energy projects. VicGrid is also working on developing guidelines for the next Victorian Transmission Plan to meet the state's transmission and renewable energy generation needs.
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“World first” power-beaming breakthrough, as laser tech wirelessly electrifies robot for 24 hours
A New Zealand-founded, Australia-based company, Aquila Earth, has set two world records by powering a moving warehouse robot for 24 hours straight using a laser to beam electricity through space via infrared light. The laser delivered a steady 4 kilowatts of wireless electricity to the robot, allowing it to travel 25 kilometers on light alone. Aquila Earth's CEO, Ruby Jones, envisions a future where drones and robots can be powered indefinitely without relying on battery technology. The company's power beaming technology has the potential for commercialization, offering a new solution for autonomous machines to operate continuously without the need for frequent recharging. Aquila is also working on making laser technology for sending and receiving electricity more economically feasible, with plans to target commercial laser power by 2027 through partnerships with drone companies aiming for long-lasting flights.
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SwitchedOn podcast: Inside the world’s largest battery electric ferry
The world's largest fully battery-electric ship, the China Zorrilla, built by Tasmanian shipbuilder Incat, is set to revolutionize maritime transport by transporting passengers and vehicles between Argentina and Uruguay solely on battery power. With over 5,000 lithium-ion battery units on board, this development showcases the potential for sustainable solutions in the shipping industry. Incat founder Robert Clifford discusses how the family-owned company achieved this feat, emphasizing the shift towards battery-electric ferries. The China Zorrilla's launch in Hobart's Derwent River marks a significant step towards reducing emissions and promoting environmentally-friendly practices in the maritime sector.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/switchedon-podcast-inside-the-worlds-largest-battery-electric-ferry/
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Sungrow says advanced inverter trials show they can provide heart-beat of the grid in absence of coal
Sungrow has completed the world's first large-scale grid-forming full-scenario validation, testing battery and inverter technology in extreme grid scenarios. The tests showed the technology responded well to short-circuit faults, frequency instability, and blackout conditions, traditionally handled by fossil fuel-powered machines. Grid-forming inverters, like those tested by Sungrow, are seen as a potential replacement for coal and gas generators in providing essential grid services. The findings are significant as they demonstrate the capability of grid-forming technology under real-world conditions, with potential cost savings compared to traditional synchronous condensers. Sungrow's tests included various scenarios such as short-circuit tests, frequency stability, and black start demonstrations, showcasing the technology's ability to stabilize grids without fossil fuel generation. Henry Liu from Sungrow emphasizes the significance of these results in demonstrating grid-forming capabilities for large-scale deployment, highlighting the importance of managing electronically by inverter based resources for clean energy solutions.
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Australian solar glass pioneer clears critical certification hurdle on path to net zero buildings
ClearVue Technologies has received international certification from TÜV SÜD for their thermal management junction box, a crucial component in their building-integrated photovoltaic products. This certification validates the safety, durability, and performance of the junction box, enabling ClearVue to further expand the deployment of their solar technology worldwide. The design of the junction box includes water-proofing and plays a vital role in managing heat for solar panels integrated into building facades. CEO Doug Hunt views this certification as a significant achievement, highlighting ClearVue's capability to design and produce components for seamless integration into building facades.
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Australia’s biggest solar battery hybrid projects lock in finance in landmark deal to power heavy industry
Two of the biggest solar and battery hybrid projects in Australia, Smoky Creek and Guthrie's Gap, have reached financial close with the backing of 14 lenders. These projects will provide 600 MW of solar and 600 MW and 2,400 MWh of battery storage to help power aluminium smelters and refineries in Queensland as part of Rio Tinto's plan to transition to green energy and storage by 2029. The federal government's Capacity Investment Scheme is supporting the projects, which are crucial for reaching renewable energy targets and improving reliability as aging thermal generation retires. Edify is also developing the Hill wind farm in South Australia and the Jinbi solar farm in Western Australia, with strong community support and a focus on creating up to 800 jobs during construction, local procurement, and skills training. The financing package for these projects is a first for Australia and will set a foundation for future renewable energy projects, leaving a positive legacy in the region through a community benefits program.
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Solar will be largest power generator in “much changed” world by 2032, but battery storage is the big mover
Solar energy is projected to become the world's largest generator of electricity by 2032, driven by falling prices, battery storage, and electrification. The BloombergNEF New Energy Outlook for 2026 highlights the shift towards renewable energy and electricity-led era, emphasizing the importance of electrification, particularly in the transportation sector. BNEF forecasts that solar will become the largest zero-carbon source by the end of the decade and the single largest source of power generation by 2032. The report also underscores the need for significant global low-carbon investment to transition to cleaner energy systems, with a focus on achieving a Net Zero Scenario by 2050 through the deployment of viable technologies at scale and at a lower cost than fossil fuel alternatives.