Renewable developer Res Australia has announced the Bunyip North battery, a 400 MW, 2,400 MWh project in Gippsland as part of Victoria's clean energy transition. The project, one of 31 batteries competing for network space, has undergone extensive environmental studies to minimize impact on protected species and habitats. Construction is scheduled for mid-2027 with a commissioning date in mid-2029. The chosen site has limited ecological value, and measures are in place to protect water features and wildlife.
Category: Electricity & Industry
Cut Emissions:
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Trina Solar claims world’s highest efficiency for silicon solar cells with 28.0%-efficient device
Trina Solar has achieved a power conversion efficiency of 28.0% for its new TOPCon-compatible hybrid back-contact solar cell, certified by Germany's ISFH. The THBC technology combines TOPCon passivated-contact capability, HJT-style passivation advantages, and a back-contact electrode structure, setting a new benchmark for large-area crystalline silicon cells. This innovation is compatible with thin wafers and current TOPCon production lines, potentially reducing commercialization costs. Trina Solar plans to release new THBC-based products and has mass-production plans in place, signaling a significant advancement in solar technology for climate solutions.
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State creates $1.4 billion fund to connect more wind and solar ahead of coal power exit
Western Australia's Labor government is establishing a $1.4 billion Clean Energy Fund to facilitate the transition from coal to renewables by the end of the decade. The fund will support network extensions like the Clean Energy Link (CEL) – East, enabling the integration of more wind and solar projects into the grid. This initiative is expected to add 3 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity and generate 800 local jobs during construction. The state government is fast-tracking the replacement of coal with new battery projects, wind farms, and grid expansions, signaling a significant shift towards cleaner energy sources.
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Swapping Out Diesel For Solar & Batteries In The Amazon Rainforest
Affordability is driving the increase in new renewable energy installations at both grid and individual levels, with solar and wind, along with battery storage, becoming more popular due to decreasing costs. In areas like Africa, Pakistan, and the Amazon rainforest, the transition to solar energy is robust, supported by federal policy, falling technology costs, and philanthropic initiatives. Brazil has successfully increased its wind and solar power capacity to meet and exceed electricity demand growth, reducing the need for fossil fuel generation and lowering power sector emissions. The growth of renewables in Brazil has been significant, with the decline in hydro generation leading to a shift towards wind and solar power, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and presenting opportunities to avoid costly imports. Renewable energy sources like solar and wind can provide a more sustainable and cost-effective solution, especially in rural areas where diesel generators are currently used.
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Electric Garbage Trucks Are The Heavy-Duty EV Story Hiding In Plain Sight
The transition to electric garbage trucks is gaining momentum, with early fleets becoming contract-scale deployments for some operators. China is leading in sanitation-vehicle volumes compared to Western countries. While electric garbage trucks won't solve all municipal fleet emissions, they are a clear solution for heavy-duty electrification. Municipalities should skip the demonstration phase and move directly to early fleets, as battery electric heavy compactor garbage trucks are proven technology. The transition will happen gradually, one depot, one route, and one replacement cycle at a time, ultimately reducing noise and emissions in communities.
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Renewables rising, Part 1: How four countries are reshaping energy security
The disruption of oil and gas supplies in the Strait of Hormuz highlights the vulnerability of the global energy system tied to fossil fuels. UN Secretary-General emphasizes the importance of transitioning to renewables for energy security and economic resilience. Countries like Norway, Paraguay, Nepal, and Ethiopia are leading the way in renewable energy adoption, with a focus on hydropower and a gradual shift away from fossil fuels in various sectors. Renewables offer stable, domestic, and cheaper power, while also cutting emissions, reducing pollution, creating jobs, and lowering long-term costs. Nepal and Ethiopia are reducing their dependence on imported fossil fuels by focusing on hydropower, expanding rural electrification, and developing decentralized renewable systems to achieve universal electricity access and support economic development. Challenges in financing and infrastructure remain, but the transition to renewables is seen as unstoppable and beneficial for the future.
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The Santa Marta Conference on Fossil Fuel Transition Can Be a Turning Point
Colombia and the Netherlands are hosting a conference in Santa Marta to discuss transitioning away from fossil fuels, addressing economic and national security risks. The failure of COP 30 has led to the creation of a "coalition of the willing" to work on practical steps for a global energy transition, including phasing out fossil fuels. Clean energy adoption is becoming more cost-effective, offering greater energy security and protection from global shocks. The conference aims to provide a concrete course of action for transitioning away from fossil fuels, addressing challenges such as fossil fuel subsidies and industry lobbying. It emphasizes the importance of developing taxonomies aligned with net zero scenarios and committing to phasing out fossil fuel use for a sustainable future.
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Japanese scientists build all-perovskite tandem solar cell with 30.2% efficiency
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed an all-perovskite tandem solar cell using FAPbI3 nanoparticles, achieving 30.2% efficiency by combining a wide-bandgap top cell and a narrow-bandgap bottom cell. FAPbI3 is known for its high efficiency in solar cells but can transform into a non-functional phase, limiting performance. The researchers used a two-step method to fabricate the perovskite layers, stabilizing the material and improving durability. The four-terminal spectral splitting architecture of the device minimizes losses and efficiently utilizes the solar spectrum across both cells. The study suggests that carefully chosen spectral splitting wavelengths can lead to high efficiencies in both four-terminal and two-terminal perovskite solar cell architectures, with practical deployment options including outdoor photovoltaic systems and integration with concentrator photovoltaics.
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US Gulf States See A Green Hydrogen Future For Stranded Assets
Three US states around the Gulf of Mexico, including Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, are collaborating on repurposing offshore oil and gas platforms for green hydrogen and aquaculture projects. The initiative, supported by former Louisiana Governor Jon Bel Edwards, aims to transform the oil and gas industry into a more sustainable and prosperous sector by integrating renewable energy, aquaculture, mineral recovery, and ocean monitoring. A $20 million project funded by the Gulf Research Program, involving the University of Houston, is working towards repurposing inactive wells, pipelines, and platforms in the Gulf for economic and environmental benefits, with a goal of having five operational platforms by 2030. The project is part of a larger effort to address the importance of locally produced renewable energy and the narrowing cost gap between green hydrogen and conventional hydrogen, with defense suppliers like Rheinmetall planning to build green hydrogen facilities across Europe. CleanTechnica provides detailed analyses and summaries on clean tech news, highlighting the potential for repurposing offshore oil and gas infrastructure for green hydrogen production.
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UK solar developer secures $1.1 billion financing package
Enviromena, an independent power producer, has secured a £825 million ($1.1 billion) senior portfolio financing package to support the buildout of a 1 GW solar pipeline in the UK. The financing, underwritten by institutional investors, includes an initial £525 million with an additional £300 million available for expansion. With a development pipeline exceeding 3 GW and over 120 solar plants built to date, Enviromena aims to accelerate the transition to renewable energy and support the UK's energy transition. This landmark financing package is a significant step towards achieving climate solutions and reducing carbon emissions in the UK.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/04/24/uk-solar-developer-secures-1-1-billion-financing-package/