Energy Magazine

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) will provide $4.8 million in conditional funding to Gelion Technologies to implement its Advanced Commercial Prototyping Centre (ACPC) and facilitate development of a unique #batterytechnology.   The $9.6 million project will enable testing with prospective customers to inform the investment decision on a future pilot manufacturing plant. The project will commence once Gelion secures appropriate co-funding.  ARENA Acting CEO, Christopher Faris GAICD, said the project will drive the next generation of battery technology, delivering more efficient, less expensive and more sustainable #energystorage solutions.   “Energy storage is a critical component in the clean #energytransition, and this project, which aims to demonstrate the potential of alternative battery chemistries, could be a game changer.”  Gelion CEO, John Wood, said, “We are really grateful to ARENA for their support of this important project. “Australia has developed a small but strong community of #batteryinnovators attaining global recognition. Gelion is part of this community, and this project is key to our own growth and will also continue to develop battery technology development and commercialisation capabilities in Australia.”  Learn more about the tech in the article below.

The Australian Government has announced it will deliver two regional #bigbatteries and a #solarfarm that will power 160,000 Australian homes with a $100 million investment as part of its Reliable Renewables Plan. The Clean Energy Finance Corporation will provide $100 million to Neoen to support 1.3GW of #renewableenergy and #batterystorage, including three new projects across the country. Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, said the Federal Government is deploying Australia’s largest green bank to invest in reliable renewable energy right now, creating the clean, cheap and secure #energygrid Australians deserve. To learn more about the projects and the funding, follow the link below.

Western Power has removed hundreds of poles in Perth’s east, with Maylands becoming the latest suburb to welcome #undergroundpower in 3000 homes and businesses. As part of the State Underground Power Program (SUPP), the utility removed 445 poles and 24km of overhead cable and installed 374 LED streetlights within the City of Bayswater. It means about 3000 customers will now benefit from improved streetscapes and increased resilience in #powersupply. 

The Government of New South Wales (NSW Government) has signed a commitment deed to appoint Ausgrid as the preferred network operator for the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).  Under the commitment, Ausgrid will design, build, finance, operate and maintain the REZ network infrastructure. The NSW Government said it will be the first REZ in Australia to leverage the distribution network of poles and wires, rather than a #transmissionnetwork. Ausgrid will do this by upgrading existing infrastructure. Ausgrid CEO, Marc England, said Ausgrid is proud to be getting on with the job of delivering the first extension to its #network in a generation, enabling more #renewables for the communities its people both serve and live in. “By enhancing our existing medium-voltage network, we are enabling a faster and cheaper integration of renewables into the #grid, minimising the impact on communities. “The proposed upgrades will facilitate more than 1GW of #energy into the grid, which is enough to #power around one-million homes.”

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) will provide $8 million in funding to Ampol and $6.1 million to GrainCorp for two separate studies to develop #renewablefuel alternatives for the country’s airline industry. ARENA CEO, Darren Miller, said the projects represent an important step towards developing a pipeline of projects that could support the reduction of aviation sector emissions.  “These two projects are an important step towards developing opportunities to cut emissions from Australian skies and ARENA will be working to ensure the lessons from these projects help inform the broader development of a sustainable aviation fuels industry in Australia.” Ampol and GrainCorp, along with IFM Investors, recently entered a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore the establishment of an integrated renewable fuels industry in Australia.  Ampol Managing Director and CEO, Matt Halliday, said the funding will further Ampol’s investigations into establishing a domestic renewable fuels capability, which could create benefits in #energysecurity, support regional development and stimulate agriculture and manufacturing industries. GrainCorp CEO, Robert Spurway, said that the funding will support ongoing efforts to expand the company’s leading oilseed crush capacity.  “Our feasibility work focuses on proximity to oilseed sources, fuel refining capacity, customer demand, and export potential for canola meal.  “In partnership with Ampol and IFM Investors, we are committed to supporting the establishment of a domestic supply chain for sustainable aviation fuel as a vital step towards decarbonising Australia’s aviation sector.” 

The Australian Energy Regulator has released a draft decision to deny APA Group form converting #Basslink into a Transmission Network Service Provider (TNSP) from a contracted Market Network Service Provider (MNSP). The regulator said that its draft decision presents its assessment as to whether conversion is likely to support the achievement of the National Electricity Objective. In doing so the AER said it has considered the potential outcomes of conversion in a range of potential future states and counterfactual scenarios.  If the final decision diverges from the draft and supports conversion, the AER would need to consult on the revenue Basslink would be entitled to earn as a regulated transmission service. If the final decision confirms the draft decision, APA Group said it would progress its plan to trade Basslink as a non-contracted MNSP, with the systems already in place to bid the asset, as required under the current Hydro Tasmania contract.  APA Group CEO and Managing Director, Adam Watson, said, if the draft decision by the AER is confirmed as final, APA Group will seek to maximise the value of the asset, in the best interest of APA Group’s investors, by progressing its plans to trade Basslink capacity in the spot market, in line with market rules, once the Hydro Tasmania contract expires on 30 June 2025.  “We will be able to leverage the existing systems and capabilities in place across APA.” Mr Watson said. 

The University of Melbourne has signed a new MoU with OW Ocean Winds – – an international company formed as a 50/50 joint venture by EDP Renewables and ENGIE AU – to advance #offshorewind energy through pioneering research and innovation, while minimising environmental and measurement constraints. Key areas of focus include marine science, climate impacts, #transmission, environmental considerations and technological advancements relevant to offshore wind in Australia. The University of Melbourne partnered with several universities to establish the Australian Centre for Offshore Wind Energy (ACOWE), which aims to enable sustainable offshore wind development in Australia. ACOWE Director, Shiaohuey Chow, said a collaborative approach is crucial to meeting Victoria’s offshore wind targets in a socially, culturally and environmentally responsible manner. University of Melbourne Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology Dean, Thas Ampalavanapillai Nirmalathas, said the MoU will play a key role in unlocking the vast potential of offshore wind energy in Australia, while benefiting local communities and contributing to environmental sustainability. OW Ocean Winds Chief Business Development Officer, Rafael Munilla Muñoz, said, “We are delighted to take steps in shaping the Australian offshore wind industry, hand-in-hand with the University of Melbourne.  

Western Power has hired 33 #apprentices, #trainees and recent university graduates to aid in the state’s #energytransition. The new employees were trained as part of and have recently graduated from Western Power’s nationally accredited training program. WA Energy Minister, Reece Whitby, said apprentices are critical not only to the state’s economy but to the changing #energysector. “I want to congratulate everyone who has been trained at and has now gained employment with Western Power,” he said. WA Training and Workforce Development Minister, Simone McGurk, said there’s no doubt the skills the Western Power trainees and apprentices are learning will put them in the box seat to take advantage of the huge amount of work available both now and in the future. “There has never been a better time to get into training.” 

The Liberal-National Coalition has released its #energyplan, including the construction of seven #nuclear power plants. While the Coalition said the energy plan would save Australians up to $263 billion compared to the Federal Government’s renewables-only approach, the Australian #energysector has raised questions on the plan – which follows the latest #GenCost report, finding that #renewables remain the cheapest new-build #electricitygeneration to 2050. Australian Energy Council (AEC) Chief Executive, Louisa Kinnear said the AEC is concerned about the assumed lack of investment in new and replacement generation over the next ten years. “We acknowledge both consumers and industry have become concerned with the cost and deliverability of the transition, but slowing investment while we assess technologies only available in the future creates a significant risk for the stability of the #energysystem,” she said. Clean Energy Council CEO, Kane Thornton, also raised concerns about the slowdown in the installation and investment of #renewableenergy across Australia. “Australia has been a world leader in #rooftopsolar with over four million systems installed on homes and small businesses and an additional 300,000 plus systems being installed every year. “The Coalition’s plan means millions of Australians would miss out on the chance to install #solar.” In a recent poll, RE-Alliance found that nuclear was ranked last in terms of #energyinfrastructure that people living in renewable energy zones would be comfortable living near, with those living in the areas of some of the proposed nuclear sites stating they would reject living near a nuclear power plant. “There is little appetite for living near nuclear,” RE-Alliance National Director, Andrew Bray, said. “We know #nuclearpower isn’t compatible with rooftop solar because you have to turn solar off to make the nuclear power plant more viable during the day. What happens to the four million households with rooftop solar in Australia?” Follow the link below to learn more about the plan and the response from the Australian energy industry.

The Government of Western Australia has appointed an Industry Advisory Board to lead the country’s first Clean Energy Skills National Centre of Excellence (CESNCE). The appointments mark the official commencement of operations, with ten members representing #industry, #unions, #FirstNations people, #government, #TAFE, and #university. The Advisory Board will provide a clear voice and buy-in from industry on the workforce planning, co-ordination, development, promotion and TAFE #investment needed for the state’s transition to a #netzero emissions economy. The Board will be supported by the CESNCE’s recently appointed General Manager, Ty Theodore.  The Industry Advisory members are: - Matthew Cheney – Western Power Executive Manager Transition and Sustainability (CESNCE Chair) - Mara West – North Metropolitan TAFE Governing Council Chair - Terry Hill AM – Pilbara Development Commission Chair - Jasmine Kadic (nee Harp) – Noongar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) Director - Shannon O'Rourke – CEO, Powering Australia - Jai Thomas – Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety Deputy Director General, Co-ordinator of Energy - Michael Wright – Electrical Trades Union of Australia National Secretary - Rebecca Tomkinson – The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia CEO - Greg Warren – MIZCO Pty Ltd Director - Jodie Wallace – Department of Training and Workforce Development Director General Congratulations to the new advisory members! To learn more about the CESNCE and its new Industry Advisory Board, click the link below.