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.
Category: Electricity & Industry
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Cut Fugitive Emissions
– Shift Production
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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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The impact of electron irradiation on PERC, TOPCon solar cell performance
UNSW researchers have found that electron irradiation significantly degrades the bulk minority carrier lifetime of silicon solar cells, leading to up to a 60% drop in efficiency. The study identified vacancy-vacancy defects as the main radiation-induced defects affecting the cells. They emphasized the need to increase radiation tolerance in commercial space silicon solar cells, with p-PERC cells showing superior radiation tolerance compared to p-TOPCon cells. Front-junction architectures were found to perform better than rear-junction designs in terms of radiation damage. The findings were presented in the study "Electron radiation-induced degradation of silicon solar cells" published in Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, highlighting various degradation mechanisms and vulnerabilities in TOPCon solar cells.
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Solar sidewalks in Canada cut urban emissions 98%, claim scientists
Research from Concordia University in Montreal suggests that integrating solar panels into sidewalks could be an effective way to create a green city. The study proposes using sidewalk-embedded photovoltaic panels to power local electric vehicle-based delivery networks and food logistics, while traditional solar sites are used for community gardens. The 15-minute city model aims to bring daily needs closer to residents to reduce fossil-fuel-consuming trips. The research, focusing on the impacts of sidewalk PV panels, found that a small area of panels could power the entire urban mobility system and significantly reduce emissions. The model also incorporates vegetable crops into the urban landscape, creating a self-sufficient cluster for certain vegetables.
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Skyven Technologies commissions steam-generating, industrial heat pump
Skyven Technologies has commissioned its Arcturus steam-generating heat pump demonstration project in Dallas, Texas, capable of delivering 1 MWth of boiler-quality steam by capturing waste heat. The system is highly efficient, being eight times more efficient than natural gas boilers and six times more efficient than electric boilers and thermal energy storage. With a control system that can monitor grid loads, optimize cost and emissions reductions, and seamlessly integrate into industrial facilities, the Arcturus product line scales from 1 MWth to 60 MWth of emissions-free steam output, making it suitable for various manufacturing sectors.
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Kiira Motors Kayoola Electric Coach Embarks On A 13,000km Trip From Uganda To South Africa
Uganda's Kiira Motors Corporation is embarking on a 30-day journey across six African nations to showcase their new electric coach, the Kayoola Electric Coach 13M, with a 500 km range and top speed of 100 km/hr. The expedition aims to demonstrate the reliability and scalability of locally-designed technology for long-distance travel and promote African solutions for climate action and industrial growth. Electric road trips across several countries are becoming more feasible with the increasing investment in charging infrastructure and the rise of electric vehicles (EVs), showcasing the potential of African innovation in sustainable transportation. The project highlights the endless roads, landscapes, and natural environments of South Africa, as well as the diverse mix of cultures and interests in the country, proving the viability of EVs for travel in the region.
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How to balance power losses, cost effectiveness in PV-BESS-driven EV charging stations
Scientists in India have developed a novel method for optimizing the placement and operation of EV charging stations with PV generation and battery storage, aiming to improve power flow efficiency, reduce emissions and expenses, and make EVs a practical choice for all drivers. The method includes an optimization component for station placement and sizing, a hierarchization component for determining the order in which EVs are charged, and uses a multi-objective optimization algorithm and analytical hierarchy process to allocate charging spots based on various parameters. Testing the method's effectiveness in a network with two EV charging stations showed promising results, with potential for further integration of AI for predictive EV traffic modeling and hybrid renewables like wind to optimize larger networks and drive down costs and emissions for a seamless transition to electrified transport worldwide.
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Kia Reveals New PV5 Chassis Cab
Kia has unveiled its new PV5 Chassis Cab, part of its modular Platform Beyond Vehicle electric fleet lineup, at the SOLUTRANS 2025 event in Lyon, France. The model offers a modern, sleek design and is designed for electrification, efficiency, and conversion flexibility, supporting a range of professional conversions. With a range of up to 416 kilometers and fast charging capabilities, the PV5 Chassis Cab includes advanced driver assistance systems, a 7-year warranty, and an Android OS infotainment system. Kia also provides a comprehensive charging network and solutions for home and depot charging, aiming to help cities accelerate climate action by promoting zero-emissions transportation policies and meet the needs of businesses with flexibility for future demands.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/18/kia-reveals-new-pv5-chassis-cab/
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Europe’s Affordable Car Project Needs to Put the Va Va Voom into Small EVs
The EU is considering a "small affordable car initiative" to benefit consumers and the domestic car industry by focusing on small, affordable electric vehicles. The initiative aims to address the challenges of consumer affordability and industry competitiveness in the EV transition. Demand for small electric cars is high but uptake remains low due to limited options and higher upfront costs. European carmakers are preparing to launch new small BEV models to meet this demand and potentially boost production volumes back to pre-Covid levels. The initiative could lead to the sale of up to 1.5 million additional small EVs in the EU annually and create around 120,000 new jobs. The Small Affordable Electric Vehicle (SAEV) strategy aims to make clean mobility more accessible by producing compact electric cars in Europe with European-made batteries, targeting a price range of €15,000–€20,000 to put electric vehicles on par with small combustion cars. The strategy involves launching an Affordable EV Platform using ETS2 revenues to support the production of small electric cars in Europe, emphasizing the need for reforms in car labelling, favorable tax treatment, and targeted purchase support to make small EVs more affordable for low and middle-income drivers.