Mobin Nomvar PhD

Australia has a bright future in solar🌞! However, we need to understand climate induced risks on PV module degradation to improve its lifetime and durability in a future warmer climate. I have shared my views for the Facility Perspective Magazine about measures we need to take for reducing climate-induced module failure risks in Australia! https://lnkd.in/gPuXZ3ck

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**Unlocking Carbon-Negative Power Stations in New Zealand** Recent research from the University of Canterbury and Ngawhā Generation Ltd reveals a promising pathway for New Zealand to achieve carbon-negative power generation. By retrofitting the Ngāwhā power station, which is already carbon neutral, the facility could capture additional carbon dioxide from forestry residues, effectively enhancing its sustainability profile. The study highlights the potential for three income streams from the modified power station: geothermal electricity, carbon capture and sequestration, and the production of high-purity food-grade carbon dioxide, with the latter identified as the most lucrative. This innovative approach not only addresses the growing need to manage forestry waste but also positions New Zealand as a potential leader in CO2 removal technologies. As the global demand for sustainable energy solutions increases, New Zealand's robust natural resources and regulatory framework provide a unique opportunity to develop multiple value chains. By integrating geothermal energy, forestry management, and carbon capture, the country can pave the way for achieving climate targets while fostering international collaborations. #Sustainability #Geothermal #ClimateSolutions #Innovation #circularEconomy #climatechange #renewable #NewZealand

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New hydrogen micro-credential courses developed by Deakin University and Engineering Education Australia (EEA) will provide critical skills to help reach Australia's net zero and clean energy targets. The program, which features four micro-credential courses and one webinar, will focus on upskilling workers across industries including energy, transport and government, to propel Australia's hydrogen economy. The partnership between Deakin University and EEA was formed in 2022 following research from Deakin's hydrogen technology hub Hycel into the development and strengthening of a prosperous hydrogen workforce. Hycel Director Professor Tiffany Walsh says: “This builds on Deakin’s track record in hydrogen education, including in primary and secondary schools, with our TAFE partners in vocational training, for emergency response workers, and now for engineers to confidently design, plan, build and operate hydrogen systems.” https://lnkd.in/gwqmCNVz

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IEEFA Calls for Greater Ambition in Integrated System Plan for Distributed Energy Resources, #DER    Dr Gabrielle Kuiper and Johanna Bowyer urge increased ambition on Distributed Energy Resources #DER in Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)'s Integrated System Plan (ISP). The role of #DER in homes and businesses is crucial for the future cost-effectiveness of the #electricity system, with behind-the-meter generation, flexible demand and storage becoming increasingly significant. Key points: ▪ #DER in homes and businesses will likely be the largest component of generation capacity, storage and flexible load in the National Electricity Market (NEM) by 2050.    ▪ AEMO’s DER forecasts are conservative in several respects, meaning DER could play a much greater role than currently forecast.    ▪ A higher DER sensitivity is needed in the 2024 ISP, and a high DER scenario is required in the 2026 ISP.    ▪ Without co-optimisation between the demand side and the supply side, AEMO risks over-estimating how much large-scale generation and new transmission will be necessary.    IEEFA Recommendations 👇 ☀️ #RooftopSolar  🔸 IEEFA recommends that AEMO use the more up-to-date 2023 Green Energy Markets (GEM) forecasts for the final 2024 ISP modelling to get to a more accurate rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) forecast.   🔸 IEEFA suggests that AEMO re-examine its rooftop PV forecasts in light of the technical potential estimated by the UNSW, the UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) and the APVI - Australian PV Institute (APVI) and the increase in PV panel power density.   🔸 IEEFA suggests that ARENA’s target solar PV capital cost trajectory should be used in a sensitivity for the 2024 ISP, and that the 2026 ISP develop a broader range of solar PV capital cost scenarios. 🚘 Electric Vehicles #EVs  ▪ EEFA recommends that AEMO explore faster and higher EV V2G uptake scenarios in the ISP. 🎛️ #FlexibleDemand  🔹 IEEFA recommends that AEMO considers forecasting and separately reporting DER flexible demand in its demand forecasts. 🔹 Greater transparency is needed for Demand Side Participation (DSP) forecasts in the ISP or its appendices, including explanations of their derivation. 🔹 IEEFA supports the Energy and Climate Ministerial Council’s recommendations for transparency and improvements in demand-side forecasts, and suggests that AEMO implement these changes in the 2024 ISP when possible, rather than waiting for the 2026 ISP. 🔹 IEEFA recommends conducting co-optimization between the demand and supply sides in the 2026 ISP, with sensitivity analyses in the 2024 ISP to test variations in the demand side and its impacts on the supply side. 🌏 Overall, IEEFA recommends that AEMO include a higher DER scenario in the 2026 ISP, and a high DER sensitivity in the 2024 ISP.   Download Briefing Note 👇 https://lnkd.in/gD-EzuHd #EnergyTransition #Forecasting

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Waste Expo and All Energy Australia conference, 23-24 Oct: THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE'S LARGEST EVENT of this nature. The exhibition and conference covered an impressive array of themes, from Circular Economy to Clean Energy, including EV technology and infrastructure, solar energy, battery energy storage solutions, and bioenergy and hydrogen-based energy solutions. This year was notably more vibrant than previous events, showcasing a larger scale and a wealth of activities. The representation from the recycling and repurposing industry was particularly striking, featuring cutting-edge machinery capable of handling high volumes and efficient separation. The energy segment was truly massive, underscoring the importance of innovation in this vital sector! Chinese Industry's overwhelming dominance in the Solar Power sector is unmistakably evident. 😂Electric Vehicles (BEV) vs. Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs) 😂 The side-by-side display booth of both flamboyant Tesla- a sleek clever car (much-admired battery electric vehicles (BEV)) and self-restrained Mirai® -the first commercially built and mass marketed fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) from Toyota was very interesting. The sleek Tesla has achieved a remarkable feat with its battery, enabling a car of this size to travel up to 450 km. It can be charged overnight with a home charger or in just 25 minutes using EV Chargers. And it is also cheaper to buy- costs only ~A$60 K !! This innovation dismantles barriers and establishes electric vehicles as a viable transportation solution. However, it is crucial to realize that if the electricity is generated from a COAL-FIRED power station, the car's environmental impact mirrors that of the power source. Thus, the sustainability of electric vehicles hinges on their energy source. The Mirai® from Toyota, the first commercially built and mass-marketed fuel cell vehicle (FCV), stands out with its classic design and compact second-generation fuel cell system. It boasts unlimited mileage if fuel is available. While it comes with a higher purchase tag and operating costs!! For commoners, the benefits of driving a Mirai® may not outweigh these considerations. The future of fuel cell cars hinges on affordable, greener hydrogen, which needs to drop from its current price of $15 to around $3. The car costs significantly more than an electric vehicle because it uses a platinum-based electrocatalyst, which is one of the most expensive metals in the world. Therefore, finding cheaper green hydrogen and developing a more efficient and low-cost catalyst are crucial for the future of FCV.  We can only remain optimistic that the extensive research being conducted in advanced countries, including Australia and at RMIT University, could yield a hopeful solution to the main issues.

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Dr. Madeline Taylor from Macquarie University explores the untapped potential of agrivoltaics in Australia, highlighting the symbiotic use of land for agriculture and solar photovoltaics (PV). Despite successful pilot projects, agrivoltaics has yet to scale in Australia due to the absence of a federal policy integrating agriculture and renewable energy. She advocates for regulatory reform and increased investment to overcome cost barriers and unlock opportunities for agricultural landholders to benefit from distributed energy resources (DER). Read about it here - https://lnkd.in/g-Ujvnuh Source: Hamilton Locke #Agrivoltaics #RenewableEnergy #DER #Sustainability #AusEnergy

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🌍 Developments in #Australia's #HydrogenIndustry 🚀 Towards #Decarbonization with the potential to reduce emissions by 1/3 by 2050. 🌿 #GreenHydrogen shows promise with zero carbon emissions, supported by large-scale projects and a potential $50b GDP boost. 📈 🔵 #BlueHydrogen and 🟤 #BrownHydrogen continue, but with significant carbon capture to mitigate impacts. Transition pathways need balancing with robust #infrastructure and economic incentives. Aiming to be a leader in the global hydrogen market, Australia's strategies include creating hydrogen hubs and fostering international partnerships. 🌏 🔧 Technical challenges remain with #Electrolysis tech varying in cost and efficiency. Alkaline and PEM technologies show advantages for different applications. 🛠️ 💵 The cost remains a barrier, but initiatives like 'H₂ under 2' aim for competitive pricing. The journey towards cost parity with fossil fuels is crucial for wider adoption. ⚖️ 🌱 The role of hydrogen in energy storage, heavy transport, and industries like steel and chemicals is indispensable. 🏗️ #EnergyTransition #SustainableEnergy #HydrogenEconomy #ClimateAction 🔄

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**A Brighter Future with Low-Cost Hydrogen from hard-to-recycle wastes** Australia's hydrogen industry is at the forefront of the global shift towards sustainable energy sources, with green hydrogen playing a crucial role in combating climate change. However, the high costs of producing green hydrogen via water electrolysis using renewable energy have been a significant barrier to its widespread adoption. As Australia seeks to leverage its abundant solar and wind resources, it's imperative to innovate and bring down the cost of green hydrogen production. This challenge calls for approaches that not only cut costs but also boost energy efficiency and support environmental sustainability. One such innovative solution is using hard-to-recycle waste, which are largely end in landfill, brining significant burden to environment and waterways. With their high hydrogen content, waste material can help reduce feedstock expenses to nearly zero, making hydrogen extraction commercially viable. Led by #RMITUniversity, we can pave the way for a sustainable and economically feasible hydrogen future by sourcing hydrogen from waste materials. This approach not only addresses waste management issues but also contributes to a greener planet. 🌍🔋 #Hydrogen #SustainableEnergy #GreenHydrogen #Innovation #ClimateChange #RenewableEnergy #Australia #WasteToEnergy #CleanTech

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BloombergNEF has just released a report, which says we need $2.4 trillion to protect the climate that the majority of Australians want. Where could that money come from - fast - and how? Could we shift some of our collective super to a massive nation building green fund? Could we give a guarantee or support to the super funds who want to invest in renewables.. Could we shift a big part of the global 6 trillion in fossil fuel subsidies, as measured by the IMF? What about a tax on the super rich? What about ... What ideas do you have? What can interested people, businesses and leaders do to make it possible to shift those funds so Australia can build that future? Tim Buckley can you tee off first? Anthony Albanese The Hon. Peter Dutton MP Adam Bandt MP Zali Steggall OAM MP Kate Chaney MP Chris Bowen MP Jim Chalmers Roger Cook Rita Saffioti MLA Dr. Brad Pettitt MLC Libby Mettam Commonwealth Bank NAB ANZ Westpac Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Tim Buckley Climate Energy Finance Blair Palese Climate Impact Capital Energy Holdings, LLC The Australia Institute BloombergNEF Grattan Institute Clean Energy Council Smart Energy Council Rewiring Australia Greenpeace Australia Pacific World Wildlife Fund Sustainable Energy Now Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) Labor Environment Action Network UnionsWA Ketan Joshi Mark Jacobson Meri Fatin International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

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I recently had the opportunity to be interviewed by The Australian Financial Review for their special report on clean energy, and it sparked some deep reflections on where we stand with solar panel recycling in Australia. https://lnkd.in/gTcES96A One of the last questions I was asked was, "Do you think the appetite for solar panels will continue to grow in Australia, especially in light of the news about solar owners facing new charges for sending excess power? Will this impact consumers' investment in solar?" ⏲ Let’s be clear—now is the best time for solar. It remains the most affordable, accessible, and cleanest source of electricity. More importantly, public confidence is strong. Everyone is enjoying lower electricity bills and feeling good about helping Australia decarbonise, even if it’s just a little contribution. 🌳 To put it in perspective: A typical 6.6kW rooftop solar system can reduce CO₂ emissions by around 3.4 tonnes annually—equivalent to planting approximately 113 trees, and solar panels can last up to 25 years. (PS: If you're a student in my LCA class, you should already know this!) 📈 I spent quite some time developing the best forecast model to predict solar panel waste volume in Australia, and it's making waves. Even UNSW’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Merlin Crossley referenced my work in a recent interview. 🔍 But here's my concern: Media often paints solar waste with terms like "waste crisis" and "waste boom"—and it’s harmful. Such language creates the misconception that adopting solar today just means creating a bigger problem tomorrow. That’s misleading, and it’s dangerous for the future of renewable energy. 💡 Here’s the truth: Solar panel end-of-life is not an unsolvable problem—it is solvable. We are not facing a "waste boom." We are actively working towards a circular economy for PV. Yes, the solution is still being realised, but we are moving forward, repurposing old panels and materials to create a self-sustaining, resilient industry. This is possible, and it’s happening. 💰 But we need more—more investment, more government support, more industry buy-in. Together, we can accelerate this transition and make it a reality faster. ♻ What will that look like? In the future, we won’t need to mine new materials to make solar panels—we’ll source everything from the "waste panel resource reservoir." Imagine a solar industry that completely sustains itself. 📢 The main takeaway: Solar is not the problem—it’s the solution. Don’t hate solar panels—they are incredible!  ##CleanEnergy #CircularEconomy #SolarRecycling #Sustainability

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📢 EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority) is looking for projects that demonstrate the use of very #hightemperature heat pumps over 100°C in New Zealand to accelerate the #decarbonisation of hard-to-abate processes. 💡 Currently there are limited #electrification options for industrial processes that require heat over 100 °C. This is a unique opportunity to be involved in projects showcasing New Zealand’s first very high temperature heat pump technology. 📢 A staged process will be required for successful project delivery, so the earlier businesses can engage with suitable suppliers the better equipped they will be to provide suitable project applications. This will also help identify what level of support may be required for New Zealand businesses to invest in this #technology. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/gCWsEwe8

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⚡ EnergyLab is excited to announce the 10 clean energy startups that have been selected to participate in the 2024 EnergyLab Scaleup Program! 🤝 The Scaleup Program will support these late-stage, industry-ready startups in developing initiatives to fast-track decarbonisation of the grid by collaborating with Australia's most innovative energy companies including Endeavour Energy (NSW). 🔌 With technologies spanning grid digitisation, community engagement, commercial and industrial decarbonisation, distributed energy resource management, and on-demand satellite imaging, we are incredibly excited about the potential for grid decarbonisation projects and partnerships that will develop as a result of this years’ program. 🌏 This year's cohort consists of 5 startups from Australia, 4 from Europe, and 1 from the US, representing some of the most exciting clean energy startups that can be found across the global clean energy sector. You can read more about the Scaleup Program and hear from the startups that have been selected to be part of the 2024 cohort on our website: https://lnkd.in/gqJ2HXCw Expressions of interest for the 2025 program are now open - see the link in our comments. The 2024 EnergyLab Scaleup Cohort: SNAPI, Safegrid, Sentrisense, SkyFi, Reswitch , VizAR - Infrastructure Visualisation Platform, KRAFTBLOCK, ACCURE Battery Intelligence, Techko Pty Ltd, Diagno Energy Mark Hartmann, Nina Owen, Paula Laine, Klaus Ola, Sebastian Cerone, Luke Fischer, Kate Osaze, Marina Rodato, Tristan Place, Wing Cheung, Martin Schichtel, Christian Gebhardt, Dr. Kai-Philipp Kairies, Elizabeth Oliphant, Dr. Christian Offermanns, David Barshevski, Parag Panchal, Chris Martell, Earl Duran Melanie Sibraa CA, Peter Hanley, James Lindley, Chris Mock, Will Barbour, Travis Kauschke, Juan Antonio Gonzalez Sicilia, Juan Ozores Arriola, Alexandra Motbey, CFA, Mathew Knight

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🇦🇺🦘We are currently going down under! We've been invited to join the EnergyLab Scaleup Program, an initiative dedicated to bringing solutions to the Australian energy landscape. With a large industry such as mining, Australia needs a big decarbonization effort. Currently, coal produced in the country accounts for a large share of electricity generation and total energy consumption. Australia has set an ambitious target of 82% renewable electricity by 2030. Now, critics have calculated that at the current rate, it will fall 20 percentage points short. Still, 60% renewables, much of it from PV, means high volatility and curtailment. Kraftblock can avoid grid costs and use the energy to decarbonize the industry. We are off to a great start and have 3 months left in the program - very exciting to dive into the unique situation Down Under! #energy #energystorage #thermalenergystorage #australia #industry

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Ever thought of the intersection of AI and clean energy? Check out this interesting article related to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7: Affordable and Clean Energy! The start-up SolarisAI Pty Ltd, from The University of Queensland is able to use AI/machine learning to conduct analytics on solar panels. The challenge they are solving is that in massive solar projects, it is difficult to detect an issue within these large-scale solar arrays that could have millions of panels. Their software is able to automate the process of inspecting every panel for damage and is able to identify defective or inefficient solar panels and suggest precise maintenance actions. Energy costs are rising in growing nations worldwide. In Australia, according to the Guardian's findings, power prices surged by 6.9% in 2023 compared to 2022. SolarisAI's innovative techniques promise to slash the cost of solar energy in Australia by swiftly identifying and replacing inefficient solar panels. Associate Professor Rahul Sharma, based at The University of Queensland, notes that underperforming solar farms cost the industry approximately $400 million annually. This software exemplifies how data science drives efficiency in clean energy, playing a vital role in making it more affordable. To expand renewable energy projects and transition away from fossil fuels, clean energy companies must adopt data science solutions to reduce operational expenses and pass on savings to consumers in need of electricity. #DSSD #DataScience #SDGs #SustainableDevelopment #TechForGood #Tech #Innovation #SDG7 #solar #sustainability #decarbonization https://lnkd.in/gSUpQbWF

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Make sure to check out Rong Deng's recent seminar on 'Solar Panel End-of-life Management in Australia' Rong is an APVI Board Member and represents Australia on the IEA PVPS Program on Sustainability Watch the seminar here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gP2f6AS3 #seminar #sustainability #solar #management

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A team of researchers at UNSW has developed a groundbreaking method to recycle end-of-life solar panels, achieving a 99% separation rate of PV cell component materials. 💡 Key Highlights: - Recycling Breakthrough: UNSW scientists have pioneered a method to recycle solar panels, effectively separating crucial materials like aluminium, glass, silicon, silver, and copper. - Major Funding: The Australian Research Council (ARC) has awarded AUD 5 million to establish the ARC Research Hub for Photovoltaic Solar Panel Recycling and Sustainability at UNSW Sydney. - Innovative Goals: Led by Professor Yansong Shen, the hub will focus on enhancing technology throughout the solar panel value chain, aiming to create scalable recycling solutions and improve panel design for easier material extraction. This initiative marks a significant step toward sustainable solar energy, ensuring that the materials from old panels can be reused, reducing waste, and supporting the green energy transition. Australian researchers eye redesigned panel as part of recycling plans https://lnkd.in/euRXR78D #RenewableEnergy #SolarPower #Sustainability #Recycling #Innovation #GreenTech #CleanEnergy #EnergyTransition

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