The Community Power Agency (CPA) report emphasizes the benefits of renewable energy developers partnering with communities, rather than just consulting with them, to expedite planning processes, reduce opposition, and provide financial advantages. The Power in Partnership Guide outlines nine models for collaboration, such as co-ownership and community energy gardens, to enhance community acceptance of renewable energy projects and prevent conflicts. The example of the Bulabul battery project in Wellington, NSW, underscores the importance of community involvement in seizing opportunities in the evolving energy sector. With Australia aiming to increase renewable energy to 82% by 2030, fostering successful partnerships with communities is deemed essential for achieving this target and promoting regional development.
Tag: Australia
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AI energy management system to unlock VPP potential
UNSW researchers are collaborating with Aussie Solar Batteries to develop AI-driven energy management platforms for optimizing solar and battery systems to support virtual power plant deployment. The project aims to improve grid stability, lower costs, and unlock greater value from distributed energy assets through forecasting, demand-side management, optimization algorithms, and digital-twin modeling. The partnership is part of the TRaCE initiative funded by the Australian government to fast-track advanced clean-energy technologies. The project, scheduled to run until the end of 2026, focuses on accelerating the commercial readiness of smarter batteries and AI-driven energy systems for more efficient solar and battery networks in Australia.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/05/ai-energy-management-system-to-unlock-vpp-potential/
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Last panel goes up at first solar-battery hybrid project to connect to Australia’s main grid
Australia's first large-scale solar-battery hybrid facility, the Quorn Park Hybrid Solar facility in western NSW, has been completed with the installation of its final panel. The project combines 80 MW of PV generating capacity with a 20 MW, 40 MWh battery, connected to the main grid, aiming to deliver clean energy to power around 45,000 homes in NSW annually. By storing solar energy during the day and dispatching it during evening peaks, the facility is expected to strengthen grid reliability and marks a milestone in Australia's transition towards advanced hybrid renewable energy projects.
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400 MW Solar Power Farm Has Huge Battery System Too (Video)
Robert Llewellyn visited a large solar power and energy storage facility in Australia, which generates enough clean electricity for 300,000 homes. Solar power is cheaper to install than new coal or gas power plants and has decreased in cost by 90% in the last decade. The solar farm provides a dual purpose by allowing sheep to graze on the land, providing lease income for farmers. The battery system onsite stores excess electricity for use during cloudy days or at night, solving the intermittency problem. The decreasing costs of solar panels and batteries have made these projects more feasible and environmentally friendly compared to fossil fuel power plants. The section also discusses the negative portrayal of solar power and wind power in mainstream news, highlighting the misconceptions surrounding these technologies and promoting the advantages of clean energy solutions over harmful emissions and health risks associated with coal and natural gas power plants.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/02/27/400-mw-solar-power-farm-has-huge-battery-system-too-video/
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Company behind Australia’s largest thermal storage project wins Arena funding
MGA Thermal has secured $3.25 million in funding from Arena to advance its thermal energy storage technology, utilizing Miscibility Gap Alloy material for large-scale, long-duration energy storage with high efficiency. The funding will support up to five front-end engineering design studies aimed at decarbonizing industrial process heat and enabling the shift to net zero emissions in Australia. CEO Mark Croudace is enthusiastic about collaborating on TES projects with leading industrial companies, while climate journalist Joshua S. Hill continues to report on clean energy news, focusing on climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles. Stay updated with the latest clean energy news by subscribing to the free daily newsletter.
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The UK has just thrown its weight behind community energy. Australia should too
The shift to renewable energy in regional Australia is met with opposition, but community energy projects like the Manilla Solar Project offer a different approach by involving locals in governance and financing. These projects can bridge polarized communities and provide agency and benefits to residents, filling the "missing middle" in Australia's renewable energy transition. The importance of community energy projects is highlighted, with success stories in countries like Denmark, Germany, and the United States. The UK's Local Power Plan serves as a model for supporting community and local energy projects, emphasizing the need for community participation in energy projects to be embedded in policy and system planning for trust and resilience. Eleanor Buckley advocates for Australia to adopt a similar approach to support mid-scale community energy projects.
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Renewed government commitment to ACCU Scheme reforms welcomed, focus now must turn to delivery, scalability and investment certainty
The Department of Climate Change released a progress report on the ACCU Scheme reforms, focusing on governance, transparency, and integrity. The Carbon Market Institute supports the government's commitment to reform and emphasizes the need for clear implementation plans with timelines. Ongoing systemic issues, such as scalable methods for industry participation and carbon abatement, require urgent attention. The ACCU Review implementation is crucial for improving Australia's carbon crediting mechanism and supporting at-source decarbonization policies. The CMI looks forward to further progress on the implementation of recommendations.
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Marinus Link and wind farm revival helps green bank smash six-month investment record
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) in Australia invested a record-breaking $6.1 billion in clean energy projects in the second half of 2025, focusing on initiatives like the Marinus Link transmission project, wind energy, natural capital, First Nations communities, transport, infrastructure, property, and climate tech innovation. The federal government provided additional funding for large-scale renewable energy projects, including wind projects like Aula Energy's Carmody's Hill project. Despite attempts to limit investments in wind and solar projects and include gas investments, the CEFC's contributions to renewable energy projects, transmission projects, green loans, EVs, and home electrification are crucial in Australia's race to achieve net zero emissions and combat climate change.
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First stage of Australia’s second-biggest battery starts commercial operations in the Sunshine State
The first stage of the Supernode battery in Australia, developed by Quinbrook and managed by Origin Energy, has commenced commercial operations, with plans to expand to a 780 MW, 3,074 MWh capacity to support Queensland households. Origin has secured contracts for 100% of capacity across Stages 1 and 2, showcasing the crucial role of battery storage in the energy transition. The project serves as a model for large-scale storage supporting power system evolution, emphasizing the use of local labor and equipment. Additionally, the article offers a daily newsletter for clean energy news, attracting over 28,000 subscribers.