Australian solar innovator 5B has secured its largest order yet to supply solar components for a major renewable energy and battery project in Western Australia's Goldfields region, led by Northern Star Resources. The project will combine wind, solar, and battery storage to power mining operations, with 5B's prefabricated Maverick PV units reducing installation time and costs. The company received funding from the Solar Sunshot program to scale up production and lower costs, making the project a blueprint for modern, cost-effective, and clean mining energy systems. Northern Star's Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM) operations will be powered by a hybrid renewables project, with solar accounting for 70% of electricity demand, and a vanadium flow battery proposed to address the grid's vulnerability. Zenith Energy will build, own, and operate the project under a 25-year power purchase agreement, with AVESS Energy showing interest in delivering the battery system.
Category: Electricity & Industry
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Cut Fugitive Emissions
– Shift Production
-
Memo to LNP: AEMC says slowing renewables, sweating coal, a recipe for 20 pct power price hike
The latest report from the Australia Energy Market Commission (AEMC) shows that electricity prices are set to fall by 5% over the next five years due to the increase in renewable energy resources, but delays in wind generation and transmission projects could lead to a 20% increase in household electricity prices after 2030. The AEMC warns against prolonging the life of coal-fired power stations, as it could add up to 5% to prices. Transitioning to wind energy can lower costs and reduce reliance on expensive gas generation, with the potential to reduce electricity prices by 10% by 2035. The AEMC recommends better coordination of consumer energy resources, doubling rooftop solar by 2035, and a nationally consistent regulatory framework for renewable energy to lower costs and reduce network investment.
-
Huawei unveils FusionSolar 9.0 platform with AI, grid-forming tech
Huawei has launched FusionSolar 9.0, an integrated solar-plus-storage platform with smart inverters and AI-driven management to enhance grid stability and efficiency in weak grids with high renewable penetration. The platform includes a kilovolt-class AC system, grid-forming smart string inverters, and an AI layer for real-time analysis and optimization, aiming to transform solar plants into active grid-support assets. Designed for large ground-mounted projects, FusionSolar 9.0 offers high efficiency, protection, and fault localization capabilities, making it a valuable tool for improving stability in weak grids with high shares of renewables.
-
Solar and wind reach 100% of demand in biggest isolated grid
Solar and wind energy sources have successfully met 100% of the energy demand in the largest isolated grid, showcasing the potential of renewable energy in meeting electricity needs. This achievement demonstrates the feasibility and reliability of transitioning to clean energy sources to combat climate change. The milestone underscores the importance of investing in and expanding renewable energy infrastructure to achieve a sustainable and carbon-neutral future.
-
First of 800 new towers erected for Australia’s most expensive transmission project to date
Construction has commenced on the $4.9 billion HumeLink transmission line in New South Wales, Australia's most expensive transmission project, connecting the Snowy 2.0 pumped hydro scheme and enabling the utilization of wind and solar capacity in the region. Upon completion, HumeLink will contribute an extra 2,200 MW of on-demand energy to the grid, delivering over $1 billion in net benefits to Australian households and businesses. The project is set to create up to 1,600 construction jobs and support local economies, showcasing a significant step towards sustainable energy solutions in the fight against climate change.
-
Virtual Power Plants Thwart Plot Against Renewable Energy
The US renewable energy transition is unstoppable, with virtual power plants utilizing distributed energy resources like solar panels and home storage systems to manipulate load-shifting and avoid new gas peaker plants. EnergyHub's acquisition of Resideo Grid Service aims to integrate a DER Management system for utility companies. With over 2.5 million DERs in their management roster, VPPs are seen as a fast, cheap, and customer-centric solution to load growth. MIT's EUREICA concept utilizes solar panels, batteries, EVs, and other DERs to respond to grid disruptions, highlighting the shift towards a cyber-physical system in the electricity grid. The smart home of the future can connect to virtual power plants for incentives and protection against cyberattacks.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/02/virtual-power-plants-thwart-plot-against-renewable-energy/
-
Low Carbon gains $1.4bn from CVC DIF to drive renewable energy growth
The Clean Power 2030 plan, which includes doubling onshore wind capacity and tripling solar PV, requires significant investment such as the one received by Low Carbon from CVC DIF to drive growth and support the delivery of several gigawatts of renewable energy. This investment will help Low Carbon transition into a diversified independent power producer, contributing to the energy transition in the UK and Europe. The UK government's plan requires £40bn of annual investment, while the EU has set a new renewable energy target of 42.5%. Low Carbon plans to bring a 3GW portfolio of renewable assets online in key markets such as the UK, Germany, and Poland, aligning with the goals of the Clean Power 2030 plan. Additionally, Hover Energy's innovative microgrid technology, recognized at the Power Technology Excellence Awards, is contributing to a more flexible and resilient energy future through their AI-enabled Microgrid Management SystemTM and networked microgrids.
-
Solar and wind reach 100 pct of demand in biggest isolated grid, as batteries allow it to keep its thermals on
Western Australia's isolated grid achieved 100% of demand with solar and wind energy, supported by growing battery storage. The state's high levels of rooftop solar and variable renewables are driving the green energy transition, with coal generators expected to retire by the end of the decade. South Australia is also making progress towards 100% renewables, aiming for "net" renewables by 2027. As the grid transitions, alternative solutions like synchronous condensers and grid forming inverters are being considered to ensure stability. The ultimate goal is to achieve 100% renewables without the need for traditional generators, emphasizing the importance of preparing for a coal-free grid by 2031.
-
Building the perfect perovskite, one layer at a time
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a precise layer-by-layer vapor-phase growth method for halide perovskites, specifically CsPbBr3, on a 2D perovskite single crystal. This advancement could lead to more thermally stable perovskite solar cells, with scalable, solvent-free, and industrially compatible processes suitable for various optoelectronic applications. The research also demonstrated that uniform thickness control allows for tunable band offsets, improving charge transport and recombination dynamics. The team is now focused on integrating these structures into fully functioning devices such as solar cells and LEDs, offering promising solutions for advancing renewable energy technologies.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/12/02/building-the-perfect-perovskite-one-layer-at-a-time/
-
Civ Robotics unveils AI-powered navigation tool to automate solar construction processes
Giv Robotics and Civ Robotics are utilizing AI-powered navigation systems at solar parks in the US to streamline construction processes and combat labor shortages in the solar sector. CivNav, a GPS sensor box mounted on construction machines, provides operators with precise guidance for the placement of piles, pallets, and PV modules with up to 5 cm accuracy, eliminating the need for manual surveying. This technology has the potential to accelerate construction timelines, reduce staff requirements, and generate daily reports with real-time operational data to help managers identify bottlenecks. Civ Robotics' innovative solutions have already contributed to over 20 GW of solar projects worldwide and are being utilized by major companies in the industry.