This Month
Japanese giant buys Aussie battery start-up in coal to minerals pivot
Idemitsu has taken majority control of Vecco Group as it tries to move towards investments in critical minerals and energy storage.
- Peter Ker
Andrew Forrest-backed wind farm gets taxpayer revenue guarantee
Energy Minister Chris Bowen will on Wednesday announce 19 projects to get the guarantee, but a new report says environmental laws are causing major project delays.
- Ronald Mizen
November
The unusual reason home batteries are making more financial sense
The price of installing batteries to go with your home solar system hasn’t changed much in years, but the rising cost of electricity is making storage more cost-effective.
- Nila Sweeney
Supersized renewables auction helps deliver 2030 emissions target
The government will reach its 2030 emissions target due after pumping taxpayers’ money into the Capacity Investment Scheme.
- Phillip Coorey
Rebound in wind, solar projects revives slim hope for 2030 targets
More commitments were made to new wind and solar farms in the September quarter than in the whole of 2023, according to Clean Energy Council data.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
Taiwan investor to open borders for Garnaut’s Zen Energy
The funding deal with HD Renewable Energy Co will enable Zen to progress battery projects in South Australia that will add needed storage to its portfolio.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
Innovations that go above and beyond to meet customer needs
Endeavour Energy, the winner of the Established Business to Consumer category, has found customer expectations keep changing, requiring an innovative response.
- Christopher Niesche
Solar thermal developer backed by energy royalty in financial peril
Vast Renewables, chaired by Peter Botten, is battling to remain a going concern, despite a funding deal last December that enabled its listing on the Nasdaq.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
October
Why investors still have ‘great opportunity’ on the net zero path
Despite higher interest rates, foreign currency fluctuations and commodity price volatility, investors still see Australia as set for “a rapid amount of growth”.
- Ronald Mizen
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Energy is a mess. But there’s light at the end of a 30-year tunnel
It’s not going to be easy, but a road map for the energy transition is taking shape and progress is occurring, even if it’s hard to see.
- James Thomson
NSW to introduce 2034 target for long storage
NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe says the legislated goal will show investors the government has a long-term commitment to storage.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith and Phillip Coorey
Labor to amp up household battery plan with low-interest loans
Clean energy advocates believe Labor is preparing to offer taxpayer-backed loans at the next election, in a plan designed to drive household electrification.
- Ronald Mizen and Tom McIlroy
How this Aussie mining tech company is doing its bit for the planet
ElectraLith is named the 2024 AFR BOSS Most Innovative Company in the Agriculture, Mining, Engineering and Utilities sector.
- Sally Patten
September
- Exclusive
- Energy transition
Labor shrugs off flat battery projects with $25m investment
Treasurer Cameron Dick said he was confident the $70 million plant in Maryborough wouldn’t suffer the same fate as earlier failures of battery ventures.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith and James Hall
- Exclusive
- Carbon challenge
Shell says ‘dysfunctional’ rules putting energy transition at risk
The London-listed group’s local chairwoman, Cecile Wake, says high hurdles for its gas projects are now emerging in its big renewable generation portfolio.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
Legendary investor Jeremy Grantham, Origin back energy storage startup
Australian investors tipping into the $17.5 million funding round include ASX-listed energy giant Origin Energy, Melt Ventures and Impact Ventures.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
How this battery system can help the energy transition
The electricity grid is long on solar power and short on storage. This first of a kind battery service could be the solution.
- Sian Powell
This man’s $168k annual saving gives hope for net zero
Household rooftop solar has taken off, but small and medium firms have barely started. The huge reduction in the cost of solar panels and batteries may change that.
- Ben Potter
Out of thin air: Solving the energy storage dilemma
Two first-of-a-kind technologies in Australia are firming up as options to crack the tough nut of energy storage that lasts much longer than batteries.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
August
- Exclusive
- Electricity
Garnaut-backed Zen Energy sinks to $35m loss as volatile prices bite
Zen Energy, backed by Ross Garnaut, suffered volatile early-winter electricity prices and a near-$100 million loss on hedging contracts.
- Ben Potter