RenewEconomy
News and analysis for the clean energy economy
In Australia, as in the US, the right-wing still doesn’t understand the significance of “clean”, and don’t accept renewables could be cheaper, smarter and more reliable than coal, gas and nuclear plants. And they’re not giving up without a fight, confected moral outrage, and lies.
New Australia-wide standard gives networks power to limit size of household solar systems – and could push up prices for AC-coupled battery storage products from Tesla, Enphase, Selectronic and others.
Global battery storage companies prepare to fight proposed Australian standards that could effectively ban battery storage from homes and garages, and put major dent into Australia’s claims of being first mass-market for the technology.
Coal-dependent NSW faces rolling blackouts on Friday as temperatures soar to 45C, after similar problems in renewable-rich South Australia. But the biggest problem is that we get dumb politics, and a dumb grid because of it.
With no economic option to clean it up, and no buyer, the French owner of Victoria’s Hazelwood coal power plant has confirmed it will close in March 2017. Engie also looking to sell Loy Yang B coal plant, and WA Kwinana gas station, as it transitions to low-carbon generation.
AGL Energy taps two govt-owned funds for new renewables investment vehicle it will use to defray costs of developing new projects.
Australia’s biggest utilities are passing on the surging cost of the country’s predominantly coal-fired grid to consumers at the start of the new financial year, but it seems pretty clear that many solar households are missing out.
Victorian govt to use reverse auctions to reach 40% renewable energy by 2025, underlining the policy divide between Labor and conservative governments. The target will require 5,400MW of new wind and solar capacity to be built in less than a decade.
Western Australia finds itself at the cutting edge of energy market reform, and its main grid operator is imagining a future totally different from the past – where many towns and cities look after all or most of their energy needs with renewable-based microgrids.
A two-year high in black coal output helped deliver a continued rise in emissions on Australia’s NEM, and pushed coal to 75.6% in the generation mix.
