This Month
Australia must overcome these challenges to meet its net zero targets
A massively complex and expensive task is ahead for Australia to decarbonise its power supply and infrastructure. To start, it will take a lot of building.
Albanese praises Western Australia’s gas reservation policy
The Albanese government will conduct a review energy policy including whether a portion of gas produced on the east coast should be reserved to avoid energy shortages.
May
Victoria clears path for local gas imports as shortage looms
The decision to greenlight a proposed gas import terminal could allow it to compete for future underwriting support.
Alcoa CEO pushes for nuclear and gas, says batteries can’t save smelters
Alcoa chief Bill Oplinger has distanced himself from Rio Tinto’s suggestion that aluminium smelters could run on a mix of renewables and batteries in the future.
April
China’s CATL overtakes BYD on 5-minute EV charging time
The company claimed this week that a new version of its flagship cell can achieve a 520km range in the same time, compared with its rival’s 470km.
March
Federation plots a path from asset manager to batteries developer
The investment firm is launching a multi-billion dollar platform that will specialise building and operating large, long-duration storage.
BYD overtakes Tesla to secure pole position in EV race
The Chinese electric carmaker’s latest full-year financial results reveal the extent of this power shift, with it surpassing the $US100 billion revenue mark.
Wang Chuanfu, the ‘humble’ BYD founder with a battery obsession
Chinese electric vehicle maker’s new five-minute charging system puts the disrupter one step closer to conquering global markets.
BYD unveils EV battery that charges in just 5 minutes
The Chinese company said its new EV system was capable of providing 400 kilometres of range in five minutes, charging more than twice as fast as a Tesla.
Rio Tinto solar, battery deal in Queensland to spur $2b investment
Edify Energy will build two large integrated solar and battery systems to supply Rio Tinto’s aluminium operations in the Gladstone region.
Quinbrook plots $3.5b investment in giant batteries
Managing partner David Scaysbrook says cutting the cost of round-the-clock renewable power was key to Australia delivering on its “green superpower” ambition.
London fintech fund Apis presses the flesh Down Under
With almost $4 billion in assets under management, the investment firm’s executives say they are in “advanced stages on a number of investments”.
February
‘Big water battery’ wins backing in NSW storage tender
The success of a $1.8 billion project near Mudgee in a NSW underwriting tender for clean energy comes amid mounting evidence that pumped hydro can be difficult and costly.
Pacific Green flags more battery sales after $460m Palisade deal
The US-based vendor regards its role as rapidly developing large-scale batteries to support the energy transition before selling them to infrastructure funds.
Rio Tinto says aluminium could run on renewables and batteries
The mining giant is studying the installation of batteries at its Queensland smelter, in a rebuff for Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.
December 2024
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.
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.
November 2024
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.
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.
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.