In a post-coal National Electricity Market, supporting solar and battery technologies can stabilize electricity prices. The optimized capacity mix includes utility-scale solar, onshore wind, and battery storage, with a focus on solar and BESS. Battery storage is modeled as an active participant, tracking behavior in real-time based on market conditions. An optimization framework is used to determine the optimal capacity mix, aiming to minimize total system cost while ensuring economic viability and reasonable prices for consumers. The analysis focuses on price formation, investment incentives, and the challenges of optimizing capacity mix in a highly renewable, post-coal system.
Category: Electricity
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Production
– Improve Electrical System
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Colorado outlines how clean energy could benefit coal communities
A new report from Colorado's Energy Office highlights the potential for emerging clean energy technologies to benefit rural communities as the state transitions away from coal. Investments in technologies such as carbon capture, geothermal energy, and hydrogen power could help replace lost economic activity. Wind and solar paired with storage are cost-effective and grid-ready options, while hydrogen and carbon capture projects have the potential to create jobs and generate tax revenue. The report aims to guide rural areas in Colorado and beyond on how they can contribute to the clean energy transition.
https://www.eenews.net/articles/colorado-outlines-how-clean-energy-could-benefit-coal-communities/
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World’s largest grid battery has been completed – in the oil capital of the world
A 7.8 gigawatt-hour battery energy storage system has been completed in Saudi Arabia, owned by Saudi Electricity Co. and with an offtake deal with National Grid SA. Sungrow manufactured over 1,500 PowerTitan 2.0 systems for the project, expected to meet the annual electricity needs of 400,000 households in Saudi Arabia. This project signifies the start of large-scale energy storage deployment in the Middle East, showcasing a significant step towards sustainable energy solutions in the region.
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Zambia Wants To Add 2.3MW Of Solar Coupled With A 4.16MWh Battery To Each One Of The Country’s 156 Constituencies
Zambia is implementing the Presidential Constituency Energy Initiative to diversify its energy mix and improve electricity access. With 87% of its grid powered by renewables, the country is focusing on solar energy to combat electricity rationing caused by dwindling water levels in hydropower plants. The initiative aims to deploy 2MW solar PV power plants with battery storage in all 156 constituencies, totaling 359 MWp capacity. This innovative approach could serve as a model for other countries in the South African Development Community and beyond, benefiting national development and providing localized energy resilience.
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US Misses The Offshore Wind Boat And Aquaculture, Too
The US offshore wind industry faced setbacks under President Trump, but projects in Rhode Island, New York, and Virginia are still moving forward. Chile is emerging as a leader in offshore wind energy, with collaborations with Norway and Denmark. The aquaculture industry in Chile is benefiting from clean power solutions, including offshore wind turbines and floating solar technology. These sustainable energy sources are reducing diesel consumption, lowering costs, and improving working conditions for workers in the aquaculture industry. Offshore wind and solar companies are exploring opportunities in aquaculture, with projects in Chile and China combining renewable energy with fish farming. China's Fuxi 1 offshore facility, powered by wind turbines, can farm multiple species of fish, crustaceans, and algae simultaneously. In Norway, a project is assessing the co-location of aquaculture and offshore wind turbines, with benefits including reduced risk of sea lice and oxygen deficiency for fish health. Research shows that offshore wind farms can enhance ecosystem productivity and create a more complex food web, supporting marine ecosystems. The collaboration between offshore wind stakeholders and the global aquaculture industry is highlighted, with mentions of missed opportunities in the US and new developments in Sweden.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/22/us-misses-the-offshore-wind-boat-and-aquaculture-too-shocker/
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Flow Power reaches financial close on its first stand-alone big battery, in Victorian coal country
Australia renewables company Flow Power has secured financing for its largest project to date, the Bennett's Creek Battery in Victoria's Latrobe Valley. The 100MW and 223MWh battery energy storage system will be located near the site of the former Hazelwood coal plant, aiming to pair long-term solar and wind power purchase agreements with large-scale storage for a reliable renewable energy supply. Construction will be completed in 2028, with a focus on community benefit initiatives and innovative retail offerings, showcasing a significant step towards sustainable energy solutions in the region.
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Neoen begins construction of another big battery, first in world to deploy Tesla Megablock technology
Neoen Australia has commenced construction on the Goyder battery project in South Australia, utilizing Tesla's new Megablock product to create a 226 MW, 866 MWh battery that will power BHP's Olympic Dam mining operations. This project is part of Neoen's efforts to lead in battery storage projects in Australia and contribute to the energy transition by lowering costs for grid-level storage by up to 40%. With planning approval for up to 900 MW of capacity and 3,600 MWh, the Goyder battery could potentially become part of Australia's largest hybrid project, integrating large scale solar and expanded wind farms. Neoen's projects, including the Goyder battery, are crucial in South Australia's aim to achieve 100% "net" renewables by 2027.
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Imaging tech to analyze sub-cells in tandem and triple junction PV devices
Researchers at Fraunhofer ISE have developed new imaging methods to measure losses in individual sub-cells of multi-junction solar cells, specifically perovskite-silicon tandem and perovskite-perovskite-silicon triple junction devices. The research team detailed the Suns-Voc and Suns-PL imaging methods for tandem cells, and used a combination of luminescence imaging and lock-in thermography for triple-junction cells. These methods provide insights into electric losses, selectivity losses, and resistive losses, making them valuable for quality assurance in production and research settings. Additionally, the effectiveness of these imaging techniques in analyzing the quality of electron and hole transport layers in solar cells is demonstrated, with the potential for application in other tandem and triple junction cell technologies, including III-V compound solar cells for space applications.
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Offshore wind turbines create all-you-can-eat havens where some fish can double in size
A new study found that offshore wind farms can lead to larger fish species and increased complexity in the oceanic food chain due to the rough surfaces of turbine monopiles and submarine cables providing new habitats for marine organisms. The presence of wind turbines created a different marine environment with positive attributes, such as increased biomass of benthic fish and sessile organisms colonizing the structures. Additionally, the wind farm acted as a no-take zone, serving as a marine protected area for commercially targeted species and contributing to a more stable, diverse, and functionally intact ocean life compared to areas without turbines. While there are risks associated with exploration and construction, the study suggests that wind farms can have positive impacts on marine ecosystems by providing new habitats and increasing food availability for marine life.
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Korea drops secures grid connection approval for its first big battery in Australia
Hanwha Energy Australia's 100 MW/200 MWh battery energy storage system in southeast Queensland has received grid connection approval, aiming to store surplus solar energy and support 15,000 households during peak demand. The project will provide critical grid services, enhancing Queensland's grid resilience and supporting renewable energy growth for a more sustainable power system. Additionally, Hanwha Energy Australia is actively involved in other clean energy projects across Australia.