Oceania

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has offered funding to nine Australian universities and research organizations to propel innovation in green hydrogen export.

Chinese wind turbine supplier and project developer, Goldwind is looking to offload its Australian wind and large-scale solar development pipeline, according to reporting from the Australian Financial Review. The move would be one of the first international player looking to exit the Australian renewables marketplace in the face of policy chaos on a national level.

If all planned renewable energy projects were to proceed, Queensland, Australia, would be in line for an AU$24 billion injection into the state’s economy and over 35,000 new jobs, shows a new Solar Citizens report.

The new control room located in Bangkok will help the German renewable energy developer to keep tabs on its growing APAC portfolio.

Australia’s new federal Energy Minister has revealed his thinking, although few details, as to the measures the government will take in pursuit of its new “laser like”, focus on electricity price reduction. While denying that he is a climate sceptic, emissions reduction clearly has no place in the proposed policy measures.

Following the signing of an assistance agreement between the Queensland Government and international consortium Imperium 3, an AU$2 billion lithium-ion battery factory is one step closer to reality.

Delays in achieving the full commissioning of Australian PV power plants are beginning to seriously impact project EPCs. Diversified engineering and infrastructure company, RCR Tomlinson has postponed its annual financial results, with speculation mounting that delays to the commissioning of a solar project has caused “a material negative impact” on its earnings.

A report by Technavio suggests the global market for battery materials could grow 9% annually in the next four years. Analysts point to the increasing installation of storage systems with PV as a key driver. pv magazine has covered previous reports predicting significant growth in PV and storage systems.

Ignoring opposition appeals for cross-party support on clean energy policy ‘because Labor wants to drive up energy prices’ Australia’s ruling coalition will introduce an energy policy that features no emissions reduction targets.

Low emissions hydrogen offers significant exporting potential for Australia, and could contribute AU$1.7 billion to domestic economy annually, shows a new report released by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). A separate briefing paper released by the Australian government’s Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel, describes hydrogen as Australia’s next multibillion dollar export opportunity.