Latest Renewables

The latest news on all things renewables.

Look, no turbines! Natural landscape returns at site of decommissioned wind farm

The site of one of Australia’s very first wind farms now shows little evidence of ever having hosted turbines, as work continues on returning the decommissioned project to its natural landscape.

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South Australia won’t reach its 100 pct net renewables target on schedule, but it won’t be the fault of households

South Australia energy minister hints that the 100 pct net renewables target may not be reached by 2027 as planned. At least households are getting on with the transition.

Giles Parkinson

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Australian wind farm starts hit record levels, but the technology is dead in the state that needs it most

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Australian wind farm starts hit record levels, but the technology is dead in the state that needs it most

Australia can now boast of record amounts of wind farm construction starts this year, but it remains at a standstill in the state that needs it most to replace ageing coal.

Giles Parkinson

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Solar farms can help stop the spread of dust storms, new study finds

New study demonstrates that solar farms can have a material impact on reducing dust pollution reaching major cities.

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Wellington North solar farm. Lightsource bp.

Investment giant seeks to add five-hour battery alongside panels and sheep at existing solar farm

Macquarie’s renewables offshoot is seeking to add a big battery to a fully operational 330 MW solar farm – an addition it says should slot in to the project’s existing approved footprint.

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Wind

Look, no turbines! Natural landscape returns at site of decommissioned wind farm

New

Look, no turbines! Natural landscape returns at site of decommissioned wind farm

The site of one of Australia’s very first wind farms now shows little evidence of ever having hosted turbines, as work continues on returning the decommissioned project to its natural landscape.

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South Australia won’t reach its 100 pct net renewables target on schedule, but it won’t be the fault of households

New

South Australia won’t reach its 100 pct net renewables target on schedule, but it won’t be the fault of households

South Australia energy minister hints that the 100 pct net renewables target may not be reached by 2027 as planned. At least households are getting on with the transition.

Giles Parkinson

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Australia’s first transmission loop between three states set to “fundamentally change” flow of electricity

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Policy & Planning

Australia’s first transmission loop between three states set to “fundamentally change” flow of electricity

Australia’s first major transmission loop is now operating, and will be at full capacity by the end of next year, bringing a major change in the way the grid operates.

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Australian wind farm starts hit record levels, but the technology is dead in the state that needs it most

New

Australian wind farm starts hit record levels, but the technology is dead in the state that needs it most

Australia can now boast of record amounts of wind farm construction starts this year, but it remains at a standstill in the state that needs it most to replace ageing coal.

Giles Parkinson

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Biomass

“Only so much you can do” with hydrogen and batteries: Jet fuel made from cooking oil to be used at Australian airport

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Electrification

“Only so much you can do” with hydrogen and batteries: Jet fuel made from cooking oil to be used at Australian airport

Jet fuel made from used cooking oil will be used at an Australian airport for the first time, giving wings to new technology without frying the planet.

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Mining giant Rio Tinto to build “green iron” facility that uses biomass to cut emissions

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Mining giant Rio Tinto to build “green iron” facility that uses biomass to cut emissions

Rio Tinto to invest $215 million in development facility in Australia to assess a new ironmaking process using biomass called BioIron.

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ACT adds new 24 MWh battery as it expands landfill gas generation

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ACT adds new 24 MWh battery as it expands landfill gas generation

The new battery will store power from the expanded 6.2 MW gas to energy power plant for dispatch during peak periods.

Rachel Williamson

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Renewable hydrogen tech that turns biomass into green molecules wins CEFC backing

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Renewable hydrogen tech that turns biomass into green molecules wins CEFC backing

Macquarie University engineered technology that converts biomass into “carbon negative” green hydrogen gets $2m investment from federal green bank.

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Wave

Two massive wind and battery projects held up by weight of objections, including 13 signed by one individual

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Two massive wind and battery projects held up by weight of objections, including 13 signed by one individual

Two massive wind and battery projects are the latest referred to state’s independent planning arbiter because of the number of mostly long-distance objections.

Giles Parkinson

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Carnegie begins work on its biggest array as wave energy pioneer edges towards commercial viability

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Carnegie begins work on its biggest array as wave energy pioneer edges towards commercial viability

Carnegie Clean Energy begins development of a 6-megawatt (MW) wave energy array – its biggest yet – in an important step towards commercial viability.

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Ever heard of ocean thermal energy? This Australian startup wants to take it from prototype to product

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Ever heard of ocean thermal energy? This Australian startup wants to take it from prototype to product

An Australian startup is hoping to commercialise a little known ocean energy tech, with an eye on a future green hydrogen industry.

Rachel Williamson

Carnegie eyes Alaska for wave energy potential as Spain CETO project gathers momentum

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Carnegie eyes Alaska for wave energy potential as Spain CETO project gathers momentum

Carnegie Clean Energy secures deal to manufacture its proprietary CETO wave energy technology – and signs an MOU to explore projects in America’s 49th state.

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