Australia's Golden Plains wind farm has made history by exceeding one gigawatt of electricity generation output, becoming the nation's largest wind farm with up to 1.3 gigawatts of capacity. This clean, renewable energy source is not only lowering electricity bills for Australians but also bolstering Victoria's power system. Plans for further expansion and the addition of a large battery storage facility indicate a commitment to sustainable energy solutions and a significant step towards a greener future in Australia.
Tag: Australia
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Australia endorses ambitious new global electrification target to hasten exit from fossil fuels
Australia's energy and climate minister, Chris Bowen, has endorsed a new global electrification target of 35% by 2035 to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels and meet climate goals. The initiative, announced at the UN's interim climate talks in Bonn, aims to increase the share of final energy demand met by electricity from 20% to 35% by 2035, based on analysis from the IEA and IRENA to support the Paris Agreement and limit warming to 1.5°C. The COP31 Presidency, led by Türkiye's minister Murat Kurum, will work with countries to facilitate access to technical assistance and financial support to achieve the electrification goal, which was welcomed for its potential to lower energy costs, increase energy security, and reduce emissions. Other initiatives from COP28 and COP29 include tripling renewable energy capacity, expanding energy storage, modernizing electricity grids, mobilizing $300 billion annually by 2035 for action in the developing world, halving global waste growth, and increasing energy efficiency in buildings by at least 25% by 2035.
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Australia’s biggest transmission project powers up
Transgrid has completed the EnergyConnect project in New South Wales, linking three state grids and integrating renewable energy zones into the national network. The project includes 700 km of new transmission lines, with the first stage already operational, adding 800 MW of transfer capacity. Despite challenges and cost overruns, EnergyConnect is expected to deliver significant benefits for consumers and help Australia achieve its climate change targets. Additionally, Transgrid is making progress on the HumeLink transmission project to connect Snowy 2.0 to the grid and planning for the delivery of the NSW section of the VNI West project, enhancing the integration of renewable energy sources and improving grid efficiency for a more sustainable and climate-friendly energy system.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/06/10/australias-biggest-transmission-project-powers-up/
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Ed Darmanin Does the Big Lap around Australia on an Electric Motorbike
Retired electrical engineer Ed Darmanin is planning to circumnavigate mainland Australia on an electric motorcycle, becoming the first to do so. The journey will cover approximately 18,000 km through every state and territory, with detailed planning involving charging stops using GPS route planning and PlugShare. The importance of having contingency plans for electric vehicle charging stations in remote areas is emphasized, along with the use of AI in planning long-distance electric motorcycle journeys. Ed's preparations for the journey from Sydney to Brisbane showcase the impact of tyre selection on range and the practical applications of AI in route planning, highlighting the technology's potential in climate solutions.
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Capital and carbon: Australian green finance pioneer Martijn Wilder honoured in King’s birthday awards
Martijn Wilder, a leader in sustainable finance and climate law, is focused on unlocking green capital through innovative financial tools. He has been recognized for his work in sustainable finance and is currently leading climate investment firm Pollination, playing key roles in public finance institutions to grow renewable energy in Australia. Despite global geopolitical challenges, Wilder remains optimistic about Australia's transition to a more innovative and resilient economy in the face of climate change.
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Australia’s biggest solar-battery hybrid project secures grid connection approval
Ark Energy has secured grid connection approval for the Richmond Valley solar farm and battery project in Australia, which will be the largest of its kind in the country. The project will feature 500 MW of solar capacity and 475 MW of battery power with 8 hours of storage, with the first phase including a 200 MW solar farm and a 275 MW/2,200 MWh battery energy storage system using lithium-iron phosphate technology. This approval will greatly contribute to electricity supply and grid stability in New South Wales and the National Electricity Market, showcasing a significant step towards sustainable and renewable energy solutions.
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Halocell Energy secures grant for perovskite PV scale-up
Halocell Energy has received a grant to expand its perovskite PV manufacturing capabilities in Wagga Wagga, Australia, with the goal of increasing production of indoor perovskite PV modules from 7,000 to 100,000 units per year. The funding will be utilized to upgrade equipment, optimize production processes, and expand the workforce. Halocell's lightweight and flexible PV modules are specifically designed for high-value applications, boasting high power density, low-light performance, and radiation tolerance, making them a promising solution for advancing renewable energy technologies.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/06/08/halocell-energy-secures-grant-for-perovskite-pv-scale-up/
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Remote control robots that talk to each other are building solar farms in Australia
Luminous Robotics and other companies are utilizing remote-controlled robots to install solar panels at various projects in Australia, aiming to increase efficiency and productivity in the renewable energy sector. ARENA is working towards reducing the cost of large scale solar to below $20/MWh and improving cell efficiency by 30% by 2030, advancing clean energy solutions. The use of robotics in solar farm construction is seen as a solution to address the scarcity of human labor and reduce costs, with companies like Trinasolar and Leapting also exploring this technology.
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Fighting Fire With Fire
Land managers in Australia's Northern Territory have successfully reduced high-intensity fires and emissions by shifting fire activity to early in the season through prescribed burning. Indigenous land management practices combined with modern technologies have enabled large-scale landscape management programs, as observed by NASA satellites showing a decrease in destructive fires and emissions. A study by Russell-Smith et al. emphasizes the importance of incentivizing savanna fire management for emissions reduction, biodiversity conservation, and community livelihood outcomes. Implementing effective fire management strategies in savannas can have multiple positive impacts on the environment and society, highlighting the potential for climate solutions in managing wildfires.
https://science.nasa.gov/earth/earth-observatory/fighting-fire-with-fire/
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What is the value of energy efficiency and flexible demand? A new tool will help us find out
The article emphasizes the importance of balancing supply-side infrastructure with demand-side resources to create a more cost-effective and sustainable energy system in Australia. It suggests investing in energy-efficient appliances and consumer energy resources to reduce the need for large-scale power stations and transmission networks. A new framework called FlexCost has been developed to quantify the costs of implementing assets like home batteries and EV chargers, providing decision-makers with a stronger evidence base for demand-side options. By considering both how electricity is generated and how it is used, the goal is to create a more affordable and efficient energy system that responds to local needs and is gradually deployed.