In the second quarter of 2026, rooftop solar installations in Australia reached a new record of 1 gigawatt, with many systems being paired with batteries through the Cheaper Home Batteries scheme. Home battery installations also saw a record high, with over 111,000 approved batteries installed. This surge in consumer energy resources is impacting the grid by lowering wholesale prices and decreasing grid demand. Furthermore, large-scale solar investment hit a record high in the quarter, indicating a significant acceleration in the transition towards renewable energy solutions.
Category: Other Energy
Cut Emissions:
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Brazil’s Intersolar SA 2026 highlights storage momentum amid solar slowdown
Brazil is solidifying its position as a key player in the solar energy market, with a growing demand for flexibility services, energy backup, and integration of renewable energy sources. The role of energy storage in the solar industry was highlighted at Intersolar South America 2026, with major module suppliers showcasing their BESS solutions. Despite an increase in supply, sales of batteries in Brazil have not kept pace, with only about 15% of inverters imported including storage. The December auctions are expected to drive demand for storage, with forecasts of between 4 GW and 5 GW. Partnerships between international suppliers and Brazilian manufacturers are being explored to meet the requirements of the auctions and restore growth in Brazil's solar sector.
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Fresh hope as huge hybrid wind and battery project reaches financial close in Sunshine State
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners has acquired the Gawara Baya wind and battery project in Queensland, combining 408 MW of wind with a 104 MW battery energy storage system. The project has received environmental approvals, secured energy off-take deals, and has an Indigenous Land Use Agreement with the Gugu Badhun Aboriginal Corporation. Windlab CEO John Martin emphasizes responsible development and working with local communities, with the project aiming to leave a positive legacy while generating renewable energy. The project's revised layout minimizes its impact on habitats and species, leaving 98% of the habitat undisturbed and focusing on sustainable development in the transition to clean energy.
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Making climate action stick
The global transition from fossil fuels to renewables is well underway, with solar and wind emerging as the cheapest forms of power. However, challenges such as job losses in coal-dependent communities highlight the need for a "just transition" that prioritizes community ownership and governance in new energy systems. Philanthropy plays a crucial role in advancing energy transitions that empower communities and ensure long-term sustainability. Initiatives like INSPIRE in South Africa demonstrate the importance of shared ownership and community involvement in renewable energy projects. Climate philanthropy must focus on building a global infrastructure for just transition work, funding civic engagement, and addressing funding disparities to ensure equitable and inclusive energy transitions for all stakeholders.
https://www.climateworks.org/blog/making-climate-action-stick/
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Environmental News Network – Australian-Developed Technology Promises Solution for Methane Emissions
UTS researchers are collaborating with Howden to pilot technology that can reduce methane emissions from mining by over 90%. The project, taking place at UTS Tech Lab, aims to utilize state-of-the-art catalytic process technology and heat exchangers to optimize this unique combination and significantly mitigate methane emissions. In addition to targeting emissions from mines, the project will also focus on reducing methane emissions from landfill sites, waste disposal units, energy providers, and high-density energy users like data centers.
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Trump administration wants electricity from ocean waves, not wind
The PacWave South wave energy test site in Oregon has opened for companies to test technologies that generate electricity from ocean waves, despite hurdles created by the Trump administration for clean energy projects. The facility aims to advance the marine energy industry, which is carbon-free and has the potential to power a significant portion of U.S. electrical needs. The Energy Department has invested nearly $150 million in the facility and believes wave energy devices can enhance national security. The PacWave South site in Oregon is a grid-connected wave energy test site that is pre-permitted, allowing developers to bring various types of wave energy converters for testing without acquiring permits. These converters include point absorbers, oscillating water columns, and attenuators, crucial for the development of wave energy technology and addressing the bottleneck in the global industry.
https://apnews.com/article/wave-wind-energy-offshore-oregon-trump-0199c3f42686e5804be70be432e239b4
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‘Watershed moment’: Australia launches first offshore wind auction
Australia has recently launched its first offshore wind auction, a significant step forward for renewable energy in the country. Despite previous delays, the auction for offshore wind farms is now in progress, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese demonstrating strong support for renewable energy and offshore wind projects. This development signals a promising shift towards sustainable energy solutions in Australia's efforts to combat climate change.
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Lexington-Fayette County Solar Zoning Amendment Critical to Achieving Climate Goals and Lowering Costs
The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council is considering a zoning ordinance text amendment to open up one percent of Fayette County for large-scale solar development, focusing on agrivoltaic projects to reduce emissions and reach net-zero by 2050. This initiative is part of Lexington's Race to Net Zero plan and Fayette County's goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. With over 90% of Kentucky's energy coming from fossil fuels, the proposed solar projects aim to generate as much power as over 30,000 smaller rooftop solar installations, moving the region towards a clean, affordable, and reliable energy future.
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Commonwealth Fusion Systems aims to complete demonstration reactor with $1B funding round
Commonwealth Fusion Systems has raised $4 billion to build the first commercial fusion power plant, with interest from institutional investors. Their technology involves magnetic confinement fusion, similar to the sun's energy release through fusion of protons. Commonwealth is making progress on its demonstration reactor, SPARC, with plans to achieve net energy gain in 2027. The company aims to apply lessons learned from SPARC to its next-generation reactor, ARC, which will power a commercial plant in Virginia. Several startups are working on fusion technology, but Commonwealth faces limited competition in the field and has secured offtake agreements with ENI and Google for electricity generated by ARC. Scientists and the private sector are working towards achieving meaningful net energy gain in commercial fusion, with challenges including optimizing supply chains and developing efficient tokamak materials.
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Linking electricity and safeguards could make wind projects viable, and oblige gentailers to actually Do Something
Linking electricity to the federal government's safeguards mechanism scheme would cover over half of Australia's emissions and provide price support for renewables, incentivizing the purchase of new renewable energy certificates by gentailers. The proposal aims to bring electricity sector emissions into safeguards with a baseline of 114 million tonnes, declining 6% annually, with renewable electricity certificates eligible as compliance units. This inclusion significantly increases abatement demand, with 15 GW of new renewables expected to receive price support by 2036. The article also discusses the impact of a growing gap in the closure schedule of coal plants on prices and supply in the carbon market, highlighting potential abatement outcomes.