South Australia Liberal government says it expects state will be “net” 100 per cent renewables by 2030, heralding the most dramatic shift towards wind and solar and storage technologies of any major grid in the world.
Pumped Hydro
Japan utility takes stake in Genex, to fast-track Kidston pumped hydro project
Japanese utility and hydro specialist J-Power takes $25m stake in Genex Power, to help deliver the pumped hydro component of the Kidston solar and storage project.
Queensland looks to extra hydropower from water storage after reboot of Somerset Dam
Queensland explores potential to convert state’s water storage dams into hdyro-power generators, after switching back on Somerset Dam and Hydro Electric Plant.
Big batteries displace coal, and lower costs in frequency markets
New big batteries lower costs in frequency markets, and cash in on morning and evening peaks, while pumped hydro still struggles to make money in spot market.
Hawaii prepares sunset for fossil fuels and aims for 100% renewables
Hawaii is looking to phase out fossil fuels altogether, and it will be renewable and storage systems like these that replace it.
AGL plans 250MW pumped hydro plant in South Australia as replacement for gas
AGL wins tender to use an old copper mine near Adelaide to provide 250MW of pumped hydro capacity and eight hours of storage, and help the shift from fossil fuels in the grid.
ARENA debunks Coalition claims on energy storage costs
Coalition has been insisting controversial Brian Fisher report uses storage costs based on ARENA modelling. Not so, says ARENA boss, who says storage costs are significantly less.
No new coal in Coalition generation shortlist, just an upgrade, gas and storage
No new coal plant made the Coalition’s shortlist for new generation, although Morrison has bowed to the far right and agreed to a feasibility study for Queensland coal plant.
Genex finalises NSW solar purchase, as progress continues on Kidston hydro
Genex Power completes acquisition of 50MW Jemalong project in NSW, in bid to diversify, boost earnings, as flagship Kidston solar and pumped hydro storage project progresses.
Coalition throws another $1.4 billion to try and make Snowy 2.0 stack up
Coalition gives green light and another $1.4 billion of taxpayer money to Snowy 2.0, but it will take a dramatic shift in renewables to make the project work.
