South Australia government chooses solar tower and storage for its power needs, after SoalrReserve wins tender for baseload power with $78/MWh for 150MW plant in Port Augusta. South Australia suggests it is beginning of the end for coal.
First it was the networks, then generators. Now it’s the retail arms gouging consumers. A bipartisan review of Victoria’s retail electricity market reveals a failed experiment that has delivered the most inflated power bills in Australia.
As long as Australia’s energy networks hold on to their inflated asset base, and generators and retailers to their inflated profit margins, consumers will have no choice but to take matters into their own hands with solar and battery storage. But what a hopeless failure in public policy that would be.
AGL’s multi-billion investment in coal generators, and the recent investment drought in new wind and solar plants, have delivered windfall gains to the country’s biggest generator. It also increased its margins from consumers, despite its offer of discounts.
Big energy retailers didn’t so much blink, as wink in face of Turnbull’s “eyeballing” episode. Here’s why they will be high fiving each other in the Qantas lounge at Canberra airport.
Will Australia’s large-scale renewable energy target be met on time? And what will happen if we move to a CET? Plus AGL’s uncontroversial result; and crunching numbers on SolarReserve’s Port Augusta project.
Market Forces will lodge a new shareholder resolution against Commonwealth Bank after its climate change position statement released today fell well short of its publicly-made 2 degree commitments.
Australian company Energy Renaissance says it has “sealed deal” with NT government, locking in Darwin as preferred site for 1GWh lithium-ion battery manufacturing plant.
A call to retailers; Information about discounts will be simpler, but you’ll still have to do the legwork to shop around.
US EV and battery maker opens new retail store at Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, with show room, service centre and four EV super-charging bays.
IMF says subsidies to global fossil fuel industry reached $A6.7 trillion in 2015 – or $A18 billion a day, or $A12 million a minute.
The PM only had to push energy reforms slightly further to make a world of difference, and protect consumers from the “laziness tax” exploited by utilities.
Canadian start-up claims it can deliver lowest installed cost per kWh for bulk energy storage with compressed air technology.
Euro Solar forced to surrender STCs or replace PV modules after being found to have installed non-compliant solar panels, as part of a Clean Energy Regulator crackdown on Australia’s rooftop solar industry.
EnergyAustralia says profits fell as it got hit by having to buy gas, but it was offset by increased gains from its retail business as consumer bills surged.
The interesting takeaway from EnergyAustralia’s interim results, and other news from the NEM week that was.
Tesla says battery storage can deliver many grid services provided by gas generators, and thinking otherwise is like supporting paper records over digital files.
Tesla is emphasising profitability from its solar business, which has undergone significant transformation since the company bought SolarCity.
In “Australasian first”, 250kW Tesla Powerpack added to 660kw wind turbine, to provide 75 per cent of energy for NZ salt manufacturer.
The transition to a clean, affordable and equitable supply of energy is finely on the agenda in Australia, compounded by soaring electricity prices and the mostly favourable response to the Finkel review.
South Australia’s energy security target could increase electricity prices while providing an incentive for power companies to pump out more carbon emissions.
Queenslanders apparently blame renewables for price rises, even though they have any. But don’t get between a poll and a Murdoch campaign.
Malcolm Turnbull should have a word with network owners and regulators this week, as well as the gentailers. Network charges per unit of electricity have more than doubled.
The notice has no legal weight and does not begin the process of departure from the landmark climate agreement.
Attempts to suggest coal power is cheaper than the plummeting cost of renewables look increasingly ridiculous and desperate.
