The Broadsound solar farm and big battery project in central Queensland, located on Barada Kabalbara Yetimarala People land, is nearing completion with all 609,522 solar panels installed. The project includes a 377 MW solar component and a 180 MW/360 MWh battery, part of Iberdrola Australia's plan to invest between €2 and €3 billion into Australia's clean energy transition. The company aims to build a 4 GW renewable energy portfolio, with additional onshore wind and solar farms in Australia, including the 3 GW Aurora Green Offshore Wind project in Victoria. This project highlights the significant progress being made in transitioning to renewable energy sources to combat climate change.
Tag: Australia
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Australian researchers accelerate silicon wafer recycling using AI, robotics
Researchers from the University of New England and the Australian Institute for Strategic Artificial Intelligence are using AI and supercomputers to develop methods for recycling silicon wafers with minimal contamination, supported by a robotic laboratory funded by the Australian Research Council. Their AI-driven quantum chemical simulations aim to identify solvent formulations to cleanly separate silicon from wafers, improving recycling processes for solar panels in anticipation of Australia's expected one million tonnes of end-of-life panels by 2035. The launch of LabNext70 by UNE focuses on AI applications in materials science, education transformation, geopolitical analysis, and strategic decision-making to address climate-related challenges and promote sustainable solutions, highlighting the importance of leveraging technology for climate action and innovation in various sectors.
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Huge home batteries inspire “made for Australia” rooftop solar panel, offering more power over less space
Trina has launched the Vertex S+ 515W rooftop PV module in response to the increasing demand for solar panels in Australia, driven by the record rate of home battery installations. The module offers higher energy yield, greater system capacity, and flexibility in design, catering to the advanced technology needs of the Australian residential and commercial rooftop markets. This innovation coincides with the booming rooftop solar installations in Australia, with the module available for preorder and expected in the third quarter. The 31% increase in solar panels registered nationwide in April marks a positive trend for climate solutions, highlighting the importance of staying informed through sources like Renew Economy to promote accurate information and support for clean energy initiatives.
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Solar and battery households help grid by importing more during day and exporting more in evening peaks
The installation of over 360,000 home batteries in Australia is reshaping the energy market by helping to manage excess solar energy, reduce reliance on gas, and moderate prices. This support, along with grid-scale batteries, is displacing higher bidding hydro and gas generators, providing a better market signal for large-scale wind and solar projects. Federal climate and energy minister Chris Bowen emphasizes the importance of renewables in stabilizing the grid and lowering energy bills, while criticizing the Coalition's plan to prioritize coal. The increase in household batteries is benefiting the grid by providing additional supply during evening peaks and addressing minimum demand issues. Support for independent media and accurate information is encouraged to further advance climate solutions.
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Video: From $200 bills to $190 credit – 1 month with solar & battery
In a detailed analysis of a solar and battery storage system in Australian homes, it was found that the system resulted in a $190 credit on the power bill, a substantial improvement from the previous $200 monthly bill. The breakdown of factors such as grid imports, solar exports, and bill credits sheds light on the potential benefits of distributed energy technologies for both consumers and the grid. This case study highlights the positive impact these systems can have on reducing energy costs and increasing energy independence, making them a promising solution for addressing climate change.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/video-from-200-bills-to-190-credit-1-month-with-solar-battery/
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Solar, wind meet 99 pct of new global demand as batteries help deliver “round-the-clock resource”
In 2025, record amounts of new solar and wind generation capacity met 99% of global electricity demand growth, with Australia leading the charge in transforming solar into a "round-the-clock resource." Solar power saw a significant increase, meeting 75% of the net increase in global power demand and growing by 30% from the previous year. Wind energy also had a successful year, with the global industry installing a record-breaking 165 gigawatts in 2025. Together, wind and solar now contribute more than half of all global renewable generation, helping low-carbon sources reach 42.6% of total electricity generation in 2025. Battery storage saw significant growth, with prices dropping to $70/kWh and capacity additions increasing by 46%, surpassing natural gas additions. This shift towards clean energy signifies the beginning of a new era of clean growth, reducing reliance on expensive fossil generation and reshaping energy security by meeting increasing electricity demand.
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Batteries included: Amazon makes record haul of hybrid renewable PPAs to power Australian AI push
Amazon has made its largest ever renewables investment in Australia, signing nine new wind, solar, and battery storage power purchase agreements, including utility-scale solar-battery hybrids. The projects will have a combined capacity of 990 MW, enough to power over half a million households a year. Amazon's focus on projects with storage reflects the market's interest in hybrid solar and batteries, with plans to continue investing in solar and wind projects to support its expanding data centre infrastructure. The company is expanding its cloud and AI infrastructure powered by carbon-free energy and battery storage, aiming to reach net-zero carbon across its operations by 2040 as part of the Climate Pledge goal. Amazon is committed to not contracting fossil fuels and has become the largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy in Australia, focusing on reaching power offtake deals with partners to accelerate the clean energy transition.
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Australian company says its magnetic technology could be key to its green steel ambitions
DryFlow Magnetics, an Australian company, is launching a commercial pilot at an iron ore mine in South Australia using magnetic technology to extract higher-grade iron ore for green steel production. This technology aims to reduce water usage by 95% and cut emissions by 90% compared to traditional steelmaking processes. With government support and investment in the industry, the company plans to scale up its technology to process 200 tonnes of material per hour, making Australia a dominant supplier of high-purity iron for green steel production.
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France Moved First, But Markets Everywhere Are Signaling Electrification
France has announced a significant increase in state support for electrification, aiming to replace imported molecules with domestic electrons. The package includes a ban on gas heating systems in new buildings, a phaseout of gas heating in social housing units, and subsidies for electric vehicles and trucks. Other European countries are also showing movement towards electrification, with a notable increase in battery electric vehicle registrations in Germany and the UK. The European market is showing increased interest in electric vehicles (EVs) and other clean energy solutions, with rising inquiries and orders for EVs, heat pumps, and solar panels. The section discusses how different regions like Australia, South Asia, Africa, and Latin America are responding to fuel insecurity and the transition towards electrification. Countries with low-carbon power mixes may struggle to convert this into electrification advantages due to grid and market framework issues. The importance of building infrastructure fast enough to meet rising electric demand and avoiding overreading weak signals in the energy transition is emphasized, with electrification seen as a practical language of resilience in the face of repeated fossil fuel shocks.
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New Savanna Fire Management method a major step for Indigenous-led climate action and carbon market growth
The Carbon Market Institute (CMI) has welcomed the Australian Government's announcement of two new Savanna Fire Management (SFM) methods under the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme, aiming to scale Indigenous-led climate action, support regional economies, and strengthen Australia's carbon market. These projects utilize traditional early dry season "cool burning" practices to reduce emissions, improve ecosystem health, and support Indigenous communities, potentially unlocking $7.7 billion in economic value across northern Australia. CMI emphasizes the importance of managing market impacts and ensuring long-term demand certainty for savanna fire management credits, while also highlighting the significance of the voluntary carbon market, particularly through Climate Active, in delivering climate abatement, Indigenous employment, and regional economic benefits. Clarity on the future of voluntary demand frameworks is crucial for ensuring the continuation of these projects.