Solar and wind provide 99% of new generating capacity in Australia, with renewables supplying over 40% of power to the main grid. Australia will need six times as much solar and wind to reach net zero through electrification. Building new transmission corridors is necessary, but existing lines are not sufficient. The grid operator plans to build 10,000 km of new transmission lines, with a focus on high-voltage direct current lines to unlock renewable resources. Optimizing new transmission corridors is crucial for Australia's future grid. A study has identified potential high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line corridors in Australia to connect renewable resources in northern regions to population centers in the southeast. These corridors could significantly reduce wholesale electricity costs by 8-18%. Energy storage schemes like Snowy 2.0 could also help cover seasonal gaps locally. Community buy-in is crucial for such projects, and the benefits of unlocking renewables can be quantified for each local government area. Policymakers should prioritize building these transmission corridors to meet new demand and consider pairing them with pumped-hydro schemes. The article discusses the importance of energy storage in balancing variable renewable generation and maximizing the use of transmission lines. Cheng Cheng, a Senior Research Officer at the Australian National University, highlights the role of energy storage in the transition to a more sustainable energy system. This technology helps to ensure a reliable and stable energy supply while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Energy storage is a key component in achieving climate solutions and increasing the efficiency of renewable energy integration.
Tag: Australia
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Big solar grabs record 30.6 pct share of Australia’s main grid, before being shunted aside by rooftop PV
Large scale solar farms in Australia have reached record shares on the main grid, but are now being overshadowed by rooftop PV causing curtailment during the day. To address this issue, new large scale solar projects are incorporating integrated batteries to store excess energy for evening peaks. Australia's first solar hybrid plant in Cunderdin is feeding power into the grid during evening peaks, with more solar-hybrid projects to follow. Large scale solar in NSW reached record shares, marking progress towards a cleaner energy grid.
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Huge 105 turbine wind project and four-hour big battery seeks green tick to link into VNI West
Equis has proposed the construction of a wind farm and battery energy storage system in New South Wales, featuring 105 large turbines and a 600 MW/2400 megawatt-hour battery. The project aims to connect to the National Electricity Market via a new transmission line in the South West Renewable Energy Zone, with a focus on minimizing environmental impact. Additionally, Equis has returned to Australia with a new portfolio of wind and big battery storage projects across four states, backed by the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan. The battery projects include the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub, Calala BESS, Koolunga BESS, and Lower Wonga BESS, along with wind farms like Bell Bay and Jackson North. Plans are in place to support new renewable energy generators in the region despite delays in the transmission line project.
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SunCable secures Northern Territory land deal for Australian solar farm
SunCable has reached a 70-year agreement with traditional owners to build a 12,000-hectare solar farm in the Northern Territory, aiming to deliver up to 6 GW of renewable electricity to industrial customers in Australia and Southeast Asia. The project includes economic benefits for the local community, strict environmental protection measures, and highlights the potential for large-scale energy projects developed in partnership with Aboriginal communities. Additionally, the company is proposing to build a large-scale solar and battery energy storage precinct on Muckaty Station, supporting the SunCable project and expanding clean energy infrastructure with a focus on renewable energy solutions.
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How are the big wind, solar and battery projects that won CIS deals doing on benefit sharing?
The Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) in Australia is a $70 billion government initiative focused on accelerating investment in clean energy projects, with a strong emphasis on including First Nations people and communities. The CIS incorporates social and First Nations outcomes into its merit criteria and makes them contractually binding, with the First Nations Clean Energy Network tracking progress of 59 awarded projects in areas where First Nations have rights and interests. Proponents of CIS projects are required to actively engage with impacted First Nations communities to ensure equitable participation and benefit sharing, as the government is committed to ensuring First Nations have equitable opportunities, benefit-sharing, and self-determination in the energy transition.
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Renewables giant China nears peak emissions, Beijingers see mountain peaks for first time in decades
The Global Carbon Project's annual Global Carbon Budget reveals a slight rise in carbon emissions in 2025, putting the world on track to hit the 1.5°C warming limit within four years. China, the world's biggest polluter, is showing signs of reaching peak emissions or plateauing, driven by a unique mix of motivating factors including economic and business advantages from clean energy. The importance of reducing emissions and supporting renewable energy technologies to combat global warming is emphasized, with China's success in decarbonization positioning itself as a global leader in clean energy production. The article warns against downplaying the importance of climate action based on a country's proportionate contribution to global emissions and highlights Australia's transition to renewable energy as an economic opportunity. The overall message is to learn from China's example and take advantage of cheap opportunities for zero emissions energy.
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Anker SOLIX announces VPP-ready home energy solution
Anker SOLIX has unveiled the X1 Energy Storage System as part of Australia's "Cheaper Home Batteries" initiative, offering a hybrid energy solution that integrates solar generation, energy storage, and EV charging. This system can reduce household electricity expenses by up to 88% and installation time by 25%, with VPP-ready and whole-home backup capabilities. The X1 system is designed to withstand coastal conditions, supports smart energy trading through VPP platforms, and can be retrofitted to existing solar setups. Anker SOLIX will also release the Power Dock Pro in 2026 for whole-home backup integration, providing a comprehensive solution for sustainable energy management.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/11/10/anker-solix-announces-vpp-ready-home-energy-solution/
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Andrew Forrest says real zero is already the “winning business case” in three key fossil fuel guzzling industries
Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest is championing the concept of "real zero," which involves completely eliminating fossil fuels with zero-carbon alternatives. His company, Fortescue, is investing billions to achieve real zero by 2030, focusing on decarbonizing its operations through technologies like wind, solar, and electric vehicles. Battery-electric long-haul trucks (BETs) are projected to reach cost parity with diesel equivalents by 2026, with total cost expected to be 15-22% lower by 2030. Green hydrogen-based steel production in Japan and green ammonia for fertilizer production in India are also showing promising cost competitiveness with fossil routes. Eliminating fossil fuels makes solid commercial sense, as renewables are now the cheapest source of power, and the Real Zero approach is the winning business case for sustainability.
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Australia introduces Guarantee of Origin scheme for clean energy exports
The Australian Government has introduced the Guarantee of Origin (GO) scheme, a voluntary framework to support businesses and exporters in tapping into the demand for renewable electricity. The scheme aims to provide emissions accounting and certification of renewable electricity for products, offering transparency for consumers and access to low-emissions markets for Australian producers. The Clean Energy Regulator will administer the scheme, certifying emissions of products like hydrogen and green metals, as well as renewable electricity, providing regulatory certainty for businesses and investors to increase Australia's share in the global clean energy market. Additionally, initiatives such as the Hydrogen HeadStart program, Hydrogen Production Tax Incentive, and Green Aluminium Production Credit are being launched to support the energy transition, showcasing how products are made and their life cycle emissions to compete in a decarbonizing global economy and attract investment in Australia.
https://www.power-technology.com/news/australia-introduces-guarantee-of-origin-scheme/
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Man behind Australia’s most powerful battery named one of Time’s climate titans, with Pope and King Charles
Nick Cater, CEO of Akaysha Energy, has been named one of Time Magazine's Climate100 for his role in building the Waratah Super Battery, the most powerful battery in Australia. The battery is acting as a "shock absorber" to help fill gaps created by coal closures. Carter emphasizes the importance of bipartisan support for climate solutions and advocates for a global carbon platform and market. Akaysha is involved in building several battery projects in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria to address energy storage challenges and contribute to resolving climate issues. Supporting independent media like Renew Economy can help promote accurate information on climate solutions.