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
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
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
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
Collapsed Queensland batteries maker draws early buyer interest
The descent of Redflow into administration follows similar collapses earlier this year of Tritium and Redback Technologies, which have both since been sold.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
Origin’s virtual power plant now as big as a coal power station
The company has claimed bragging rights over rival AGL for the largest virtual power plant in Australia – and perhaps the world.
- Ben Potter
How AGL’s big battery bet on Firm Power will pay off
The surge is caused by huge expansions in manufacturing capacity, plunging battery cell prices and an urgent need for on-demand power.
- Ben Potter
AGL Energy prepares to unveil big batteries play; acquires Firm Power
The company, which builds project to support the energy transition by providing firming power, was founded by Simon Ingram and Chris Wilson.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Super funds look to take advantage of energy transition
The biggest question for the $3.9 trillion super sector is not whether to invest in the energy transition’s unlisted asset boom, but rather which opportunities are best.
- Hannah Wootton
July
No wind or sun? Try using compressed air and molten salts
“You want as many cards up your sleeve as you can,” says Hydro Tasmania chief executive Ian Brooksbank of emerging renewable generation technologies.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
Origin Energy ups battery investments with $450m Eraring project
The second power storage system to be installed at the NSW Central Coast site will have more than double the duration of the first one.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
Fortescue’s pivot shakes faith in Labor’s Hydrogen Headstart strategy
Power prices would need to drop steeply and electrolyser costs more than halve to produce hydrogen at anywhere near a competitive level, the industry has warned.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
Akaysha signs $650m debt deal for giant NSW battery
The system to be built near Wellington will be one of the largest in the world. The BlackRock-owned group has also struck a supply deal with EnergyAustralia.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
Snowy Hydro pushes gas power ambitions with major storage deal
The 25-year contract will underpin the expansion of the Iona project, and underscores expectations the fuel will remain part of the energy mix past 2050.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
HMC Capital chooses battery storage for first climate investment
David Di Pilla’s asset manager will pay up to $50 million for a controlling stake in StorEnergy, which is headed by a former Spark Infrastructure executive.
- Kylar Loussikian
June
Three big challenges for Australia’s net-zero transition
Addressing the missing middle, allaying community concerns and more government cooperation will all be critical to the future of the net-zero transition, according to energy experts.
- Ronald Mizen
The big equity problem in household EV charging
Gavin Dufty, executive manager of policy and research at the St Vincent de Paul Society, says the current electricity tariff system is not fit-for-purpose when it comes to EV charging.
- Ronald Mizen