The cost of grid-scale battery storage has significantly decreased in the last 24 months, making solar and wind projects more bankable by allowing them to store excess energy. Brookfield Renewables has seen a dramatic decrease in the long-term cost of energy for batteries and aims to be a leading procurer of utility-scale energy storage equipment globally. They are actively investing in battery storage projects, with 30% of their project pipeline dedicated to batteries. Despite setbacks, Origin Energy is focusing on building battery storage while closing its coal generator. Subscribe to a clean energy newsletter for more updates on the renewable energy industry.
Author: Reneweconomy.com
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“It’s literally life-changing for us:” The drought-stricken farmers looking to wind and solar to secure their future
The Sutherlands, sixth-generation farmers in northern NSW, faced a devastating drought in 2019 that turned their farms into dustbowls. They are now looking to renewable energy as a solution, setting aside half of their property for a solar farm expansion. The NSW government will pay them for hosting part of the transmission line, providing guaranteed revenues to help the farm ride out fluctuating weather and reduce debt. The success of this renewable energy project is crucial for the Sutherlands' succession plans and the prosperity of their farm. In New England, Australia, farmers are considering hosting wind turbines and solar panels on their land to diversify operations and create jobs in a renewable energy zone. Despite some opposition, many in the community support the development of renewable energy projects to drought-proof farming and boost the local economy.
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“Electric Saul:” Rewiring Australia launches AI-backed tool to help households electrify
Rewiring Australia's Electric Saul, an AI-powered tool supported by Google's Digital Future Initiative team, offers personalized advice on electrifying homes by analyzing individual situations and providing information on available electrification options and potential savings. CEO Francis Vierboom highlighted the tool's ability to incorporate details about a user's home, location, car, and goals to create a practical plan for electrification. Electric Saul excels at providing tailored guidance based on specific questions and plans, making it a valuable resource for those looking to transition to more sustainable energy solutions.
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Australia’s biggest battery project slashes footprint by 20 pct as it mulls multi-gigawatt hour extension
The owners and suppliers of Australia's biggest battery project, the Supernode battery, have reduced its footprint by 20% and are considering an extension to provide over 5 gigawatt hours of storage. The battery is owned by Quinbrook Infrastructure Services and contracted to Origin Energy, with plans for further expansion. Chinese battery giant CATL supplied the batteries for the project, which are designed to be more efficient and have higher density. The project highlights the rapid advancements in battery technology and the shift towards longer duration storage solutions in the energy market.
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Power plays: Tomago’s big green switch, the Big 3’s lack of ambition, and why Snowy must change its stripes
The country's biggest energy utilities, such as AGL and Origin, are focusing on transitioning to renewables, with good execution and reliability but poor future investment outlook. The biggest aluminium smelter is transitioning to 100% renewables with government funds and Snowy providing electricity. The ISP demonstrates that the NEM can run without coal or nuclear, using a mix of renewable and traditional energy sources. Major energy companies in Australia, like AGL, are urged to decarbonize and adapt to structural changes in the market to support climate solutions. Snowy is highlighted as a key player in the market for firming generation, with a need to balance supply and demand to avoid volatility and rising consumer costs.
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Researchers “froth” over new solar recycling method that recovers 99 pct of silver from used panels
Researchers from the University of Newcastle have developed a new method using froth flotation to recover almost all of the metallic silver from end-of-life solar panels, achieving a recovery rate of 98.74% with moments of 100% recovery. This process, which does not require acid, could help address silver supply shortages in the solar industry. While the process is commercially viable due to the value of silver inside the panels, a large amount of solar panels is needed to extract a relatively small amount of silver, presenting a challenge for recyclers and researchers. The silver content in solar cells is worth approximately A$20 per kg at current prices, making this recycling method potentially lucrative for addressing both environmental and economic concerns in the solar industry.
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Fertiliser from thin air? How farmers can make their own fertiliser from air, water and on-site renewables
PlasmaLeap, an Australian company, is developing modular systems that use electricity, air, and water to produce nitrogen fertiliser on farms. This technology aims to give farmers greater control over fertiliser costs and supply while reducing emissions associated with conventional production. PlasmaLeap's approach is different from traditional fertiliser production, as it uses electricity to produce chemicals traditionally made using fossil fuels. The technology is designed to be containerised, deployed close to where fertiliser is used, and powered by renewable energy, offering farmers certainty in supply and potentially reducing greenhouse gas emissions. PlasmaLeap has received significant funding for commercial deployment and is working on manufacturing at scale and at a competitive cost to compete with the global fertilizer industry, with features like kill switches and remote sensing for safety and autonomy. Amid geopolitical turmoil and fertilizer price volatility, the technology's pitch to farmers is becoming increasingly compelling.
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Australia’s biggest aluminium smelter gets $2.5 billion to help transition from coal to wind and solar
Tomago Aluminium, Australia's largest aluminium smelter, is transitioning to renewables with a $2.5 billion government package, aiming to meet international demand for low carbon products by adding 3,000 MW of new solar and wind capacity. The deal, managed through Snowy Hydro, will reduce power costs by $35/MWh and support Rio Tinto's goal of operating on 100% renewable energy by 2033. Similar agreements have been made for smelters in Queensland, with a focus on decarbonization activities and grid support. This transition is crucial for Australia to remain competitive globally, unlock new renewable investments, create jobs, and modernize the energy grid for a cleaner, more resilient future.
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Why solar didn’t work for this dairy farmer, until he added a battery and put it on wheels
Dairy farmer Peter Mulheron in south-west Victoria struggled to find a suitable solar solution for his farm due to high electricity demand from dairy operations. After realizing the limitations of conventional rooftop solar, he installed a 105kW solar system with 241kWh of battery storage, allowing for a reliable power supply. The battery storage was crucial for meeting the continuous electricity demand of dairy operations, such as heating water for cleaning and food safety. The innovative solar and battery system was developed by PHNXX and has proven to be a successful solution for dairy farms with high electricity demand. The Mulheron dairy farm installed a pilot solar and battery storage system that exceeded expectations, providing $13,400 in savings and real-world data for designing a larger system. They now have a microgrid system with 105kW of solar and 241kWh of battery storage, which could reduce annual energy costs by over $22,000. The system is portable, housed in shipping containers, allowing for flexibility and easy deployment. Mulheron advises other farmers to measure their electricity demand and resources before investing in renewable energy systems to ensure efficiency and adaptability for the future.