She is a cleanskin in the local energy debate but is hugely experienced, most recently as chair of the New York state utilities regulator–- responsible for implementing New York’s pro-wind and solar “Reforming the Energy Vision” plan – under Democratic governor Andrew Cuomo. Before that she was chief operating officer of PJM, a huge utility company covering 13 north-eastern states and Washington DC. Continue reading
28 July REneweconomy news
- EnergyAustralia: “The truth about coal is that it is not cheap”
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EnergyAustralia says coal is not cheap and idea that new coal plants could reduce electricity costs is a “myth”. This comes as the ACCC vows to focus on bidding practices in wholesale markets, an issue completely ignored by AEMC, the market rule maker.
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ACT launches second phase of battery test centre, early results inEarly results suggest that lithium-ion out-performs both the advanced and traditional lead-acid battery packs in terms of round-trip efficiency.
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Electricity sector “gold plating” behind sky-high prices – not renewablesTAI report says electricity sector gold-plating costing households $400-$500 a year. Cost of carbon price: “barely noticeable.”
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AGL expands smart technology portfolio with $13m in US start-upAGL invests $13 million in smart lock and smart home controls start-up in US, expanding its push into new technologies.
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Queensland launches “world’s largest” EV fast-charging networkQueensland govt launches Electric Super Highway, names first 18 locations for “green-powered” EV fast charging stations.
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Digging for carbon cuts: How the mining industry can win with renewablesAn unprecedented drop in renewable energy prices, the high energy intensity of mining, and the volatility of fossil fuel pricing have combined to create a groundbreaking opportunity for decarbonizing the mining industry.
John Grimes – on South Australia’s energy storage revolution
SA’s energy revolution – what it means for Australia http://www.examiner.com.au/story/4803957/sas-energy-revolution-what-it-means-for-australia/?cs=97 23 Jul 2017 The energy storage revolution has arrived with a bang. The recent announcement by the South Australian government that it will partner with Elon Musk’s Tesla to build the world’s biggest lithium-ion battery was a lightning bolt moment with profound implications for regional communities. The 100MW battery will provide stability for a wind farm, and emergency backup power. It will also provide badly needed jobs for regional towns in construction, operation and maintenance, as well as tourism from those flocking to see this technological wonder.
This project marks just the beginning. Both Victoria and Queensland are planning similar large-scale battery projects, and storage is also being rolled out in homes, businesses and regional communities across the country.
Australia has the highest rate of household solar use in the world, so it makes sense that families would look to batteries to store excess electricity (created during the day) to be used when they need it most (when returning home from work or school).
Around 20,000 families have solar batteries now, but as prices keep plummeting it’s not unreasonable to expect 500,000 Australians will have them by 2020.
Many companies offer mouth-watering financial packages that combine solar and storage. German battery storage company Sonnen is offering Aussies free electricity – paying customers’ power bills in return for accessing the battery storage capacity to provide grid balancing services for network operators.
Storage has arrived and it will give you control of your energy use, and slash your power bills. With power prices set to rise by up to 20 per cent, now is the time to shop around and see how solar and storage can work for you.
John Grimes is the Chief Executive of the Australian Solar Council and Australian Energy Storage Council.
22 July REneweconomy news
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North Queensland to be Australia’s first major exporter of solar powerAs Conservatives push for new coal generator in north Queensland, the region is about to become Australia’s first significant solar power exporter.Australia’s Greatcell signs MOU with JinkoSolar for perovskite cellsUnder a non-exclusive MOU with JinkoSolar, Greatcell will make developmental perovskite cells available for further evaluation.
Clean Energy Finance Corporation sees rapid growth in renewables
‘Almost exponential’: Green bank eyes rapid renewables growth as doubts linger, SMH Peter Hannam, 20 July 17 Investments by the government’s $10 billion clean energy fund are growing at an “almost exponential” rate but growth could shudder to a halt if the industry’s post-2020 policy is not settled, according to the agency’s new head, Ian Learmonth.
Mr Learmonth, who took on the role of chief executive of the Clean Energy Finance Corp, said the fund had about 50 transactions in the pipeline worth about $4 billion of its own funds. Based on previous years’ results, partners joining the CEFC would lift the total investment value to $10 billion.
In the year to June 30, the CEFC committed to 35 projects in wind, solar, storage and energy efficiency projects worth almost $2.1 billion, more than double the previous year’s tally and close to five times the size of its first-year investments in 2014-15.
“We feel like we’ve gone mainstream these days,” Mr Learmonth told Fairfax Media on the sidelines of the Clean Energy Summit in Sydney, adding that Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg had trumpeted the fund’s activities. “I don’t have any concerns about the political issues around the organisation.”……
Mr Frydenberg said “appointments to the Clean Energy Finance Corporation will be announced before the next scheduled board meeting in August”. He did not say if any of the four, including chair Jillian Broadbent, would have their terms extended. http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/almost-exponential-green-bank-eyes-rapid-renewables-growth-as-doubts-linger-20170717-gxd7pj.html
Australian Businesses now realising that renewable energy is cheap
Smaller businesses are installing rooftop solar at unprecedented rates (which explains why solar is by far the most popular technology choice)
Business slowly wakes up to reality that renewables are cheap http://reneweconomy.com.au/business-slowly-wakes-reality-renewables-cheap-32040/, By Giles Parkinson on 19 July 2017 One Step Off The Grid Consider these two propositions: The top reason cited by Australian business for using more renewables it that it costs less. The top reason cited by Australian business for not using renewables it that it costs more.
As Ivor Frischknecht, the head of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency observes, both propositions cannot be right. It is pretty obvious now that the right answer is that renewables cost less, but ignorance is hurting business, as well as Australia’s policy debate.
Less than half of Australian businesses – according to a new ARENA report – actually source any renewable energy at all, and when they do it assumes only a minor role (less than 10 per cent of the needs of the user).
The lack of knowledge is perhaps understandable – the arrival of cheap renewables is not something that gathers much mainstream media attention, despite the soaring cost of grid power to its current ridiculously high levels.
Two of the biggest corporate investments in renewable energy have received little or no mainstream media coverage.
These include the Sun Metals investment in a 116MW solar farm to underpin the expansion of its zinc refinery in north Queensland; and the commitment by Nectar Farms to power the country’s largest glasshouse for vegetable crops with just wind and battery storage, preventing a project from heading overseas due to high energy costs in Australia.
Telstra got a lot of publicity for its recent commitment to a 70MW solar farm in Queensland, but as Nada Kalam, an electrical engineer for Telstra Energy says, it was no easy job.
“The economics for a solar PPA speaks for itself,” Kalam said. “Financially it totally makes sense.” But, Kalam added, it was hard work to get it through the system.
“It took a while but it set a precedent,” she said at the Clean Energy Summit on Tuesday. “We showed it is very doable and we built trust about the process. This is something we can do more of and at a faster pace.” Continue reading
21 July More REneweconomy news
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Queensland energy minister stands down amid email investigationA blow to the state-based renewable energy and climate effort as Queensland energy minister Mark Bailey is sidelined by allegations of corruption.
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Hazelwood gone today – Liddell gone tomorrow. Are we ready?Early action on transmission should be at the top of the new Energy Security Board’s agenda if we are to connect enough wind and solar and hydro to replace retiring coal generators.EnergyAustralia signs PPA for 150MW Neoen solar farm in NSWEnergyAustralia has agreed to buy 100MW of output from planned Neoen solar farm in NSW – its 5th renewables PPA in seven months.Rooftop solar shock for consumers, installers as rebate price falls by one-thirdPrice of rooftop solar to jump 10%, and catch many installers unawares, due to sudden fall in price of rebate certificates after record amounts of new solar in past 6 months.
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Former Wallaby player and European energy veteran joins Wirsol Energy Pty LtdWIRSOL Energy, part of the WIRCON Group, has appointed Bill Calcraft as non-executive director of its Australian operations, to focus on expanding WIRSOL Energy’s relationships in Australia, bringing a wealth of experience in the European energy sector to WIRSOL Energy’s thriving business.
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GreenSync awarded CEC innovation awardGreenSync has won the 2017 Clean Energy Council Innovation Award in conjunction with AusNet Services and Power Tech for their work on the Mini Grid project in Mooroolbark, Victoria.
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Photon Energy mandates Pottinger as financial advisors for Australian project pipelineGlobal solar power solutions provider Photon Energy NV has mandated financial and strategic advisory firm Pottinger Co Pty Limited, to advise on a capital raising for a solar PV project pipeline with a total generation capacity of over 1 GW in Australia.
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Transgrid: 100% renewables is feasible and affordableNetwork operator Transgrid says 100 per cent renewable energy is both feasible and affordable, and says only incremental increases in renewable energy will not achieve potential falls in the cost of electricity.
21 July REneweconomy news
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Lawyer Steven Skala named new chair of Clean Energy Finance CorpLawyer and ABC director Steven Skala named chair of $10 billion CEFC, three women appointed to board.
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Australia becomes 35th member of International Solar AllianceLaunched in Paris during the COP21 summit, the International Solar Alliance, spearheaded by India and France, has this week welcomed Australia to the fold.
19 July MORE REneweconomy news
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COAG: Can democracy weed out climate deniers?Turnbull’s recent use of the word “delusional” reminds us that climate denial is still alive and kicking in mainstream Australian politics.Australian coal, gas miners seek renewable energy projectsAustralian oil, gas and coal mining body, NERA, issues call for cleantech, renewable energy partnerships, says timing is “spot on” for collaboration.Base-cost renewables: When wind and solar finally kill coalBNEF says building new solar plants will be cheaper than shovelling coal into existing coal generators within 15 years. This will trigger a complete re-make of the energy system, and a share of wind and solar far beyond that contemplated by the Finkel Review.Frydenberg says Zibelman “doing really great job” at AEMOFrydenberg defends AEMO chief Audrey Zibelman from attacks by conservative commentators.
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Greens Senator for SA visits battery storage facility in Southern CaliforniaAustralian Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young has called on Malcolm Turnbull to intervene to end the delay in fixing energy market rules, including the 5-minute rule, to allow battery storage to compete fairly.
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Leaders’ pledge to galvanise renewable energy leaders to champion gender diversityBetter gender diversity across the renewable energy industry requires leaders from both genders to step up and drive change, the Clean Energy Council said in launching its Women in Renewables Leaders’ Pledge today.
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Business slowly wakes up to reality that renewables are cheapARENA report shows less than half Australian businesses have tapped renewables. But there’s no doubt the idea is starting to catch on.
19 July REneweconomy news
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Coal has lost the energy war, so why are we still fighting?The political fight for coal power in Australia is already lost. Meanwhile, we are missing all the clean energy opportunities that have fallen into our lap.LO3 unveils ‘game-changing’ solar sharing microgrid in South AustraliaUS-based energy sharing company LO3 partners with Yates Electrical to build 6MW solar microgrid in SA Riverland region.Turnbull’s coal delusions as COAG “changes course” on energyIf COAG did change the course of energy in Australia, it is not immediately obvious, given Turnbull’s coal delusion comments. Much will depend on how Finkel recommendations are put in place, and the storage equation and the make-up of the energy security board are critical.Know your NEM: Generator Reliability Option might be dumb ideaThe COAG endorsement of the Finkel Review (apart from the CET) won’t mean much in the short term, but the generator reliability option might be a dumb idea. Meantime, smart companies are showing how to save costs with solar and storage.National Electricity Market has served its purpose – it’s time to move onThe NEM has failed. Its very narrow economic objective was to provide low prices, reliable and safe energy, and to act in the long term interests of consumers. It hasn’t.
18 July REneweconomy news
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GE: Some Australia regions to be 100% renewable in 5-10 yearsGE says parts of Australia will soon get all electricity from renewables, at least for a few days a year, as utility business models disrupted.
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AGL’s Vesey: Clean Energy Target should recognise Paris climate agreementAGL adds pressure to Turnbull government, saying CET needs to be adopted, and needs to reflect Paris climate targets.
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Australia’s $10 billion renewable energy boom: But then what?A $10 billion clean energy investment boom in 2017 could quickly fade without longer term policies. Labor tries to wedge Turnbull on climate policy, just as it did in 2009, while the Greens also say they would look at a Clean Energy Target.
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Clean-tech stocks outperform general market again, as smart investors buy inIt is no surprise that, regardless of the fickleness of environmental politics, smart investors are buying into the businesses that are redefining how we live.
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NSW launches home battery guide, as race to “plug hole” threatens industryNew South Wales issues set of home battery storage guidelines, as industry warns against “jumping to an endgame” on safety.
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Peer-to-peer electric vehicle charging network launched in SydneySydney start-up Everty launches P2P platform allowing electric vehicle owners to rent out their parking space, and home charger, to others.
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Barnaby’s warning: Biggest threat to renewables is lights out in SydneyDeputy PM says Sydney blackout could be end of road for renewables, although NSW Coalition minister earlier praised role of wind and solar in preventing blackout.
Australian States and Federal Govt approve 49 Finkel recommendations, but split on Clean Energy Target
COAG splits over clean energy target, but 49 Finkel ideas approved http://reneweconomy.com.au/coag-splits-over-clean-energy-target-but-49-finkel-ideas-approved-97105/ By Giles Parkinson on 14 July 2017
Four Labor states and governments have formalised their push to purse their own clean energy target mechanism, officially breaking away from the federal government after the Coalition refused to endorse the Finkel Review’s recommendation on the issue.
The COAG energy council meeting in Brisbane endorsed 49 of the 50 recommendations from the Finkel Review, and endorsed the decision to get rid of the “limited merits review” that affects network spending. However, the federal government said it could not commit to a clean energy target.
South Australia, Victoria and Queensland, along with the ACT, said they would ask the Australian Energy market Commission to study how a CET might be implemented by the states saying “they can’t wait any longer”.
It is not clear how long this will take, and how quickly legislation can be introduced, or if it can survive state-based partisan politics given that both the South Australia and Queensland Labor governments are facing elections in the next 12 months.
The role of the ACT is also unclear, given that it will reach its target of 100 per cent renewable energy by 2020.
These same states this week all committed to zero net emissions by 2050, in a ceremony marking the visit of former vice-president and climate campaigner Al Gore.
“It is incredibly frustrating that despite the overwhelming community support for a market mechanism, the Federal Government is still resisting committing to all 50 Finkel recommendations,” South Australia energy minister Tom Koutsantonis said in a statement.
“Opposition from the coal lobby and the right wing of his party is preventing the Prime Minister from acting in the interests of all Australians.”
The federal Coalition has been riven by divisions over the proposed CET, with conservative commentators unanimously condemning the idea, and the rump of Far Right Coalition MPs also voicing their opposition.
Federal energy minister Josh Frydenberg said COAG had agreed a “significant set of reforms …. to ensure a more affordable and reliable energy system.”
The recommendations include the creation of an Energy Security Board. Each jurisdiction will send through a name; and the next few weeks the states will agree on a chair and deputy chair. The other members will be the heads of the three main energy industry regulators, rule-makers and operators.
Renewable energy news 17 July
This government needs to get its head around renewables
Peter FitzSimons
http://www.smh.com.au/comment/smh-letters/peter-fitzsimons-government-needs-to-get-its-head-around-renewable-energy-20170714-gxbn81.html
Queensland
Bonanza tipped from clean power plan
Mark Bailey
QUEENSLAND has seen a clean energy boom, with unprecedented levels of renewable energy investment. And it’s about to pay off.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/opinion-bonanza-tipped-from-clean-power-plan/news-story/8685e735a2b5b906661eda311889d395
Western Australia
Energy-saving hobbit house in WA’s South West
A man from the small West Australian town of Quindalup lives in a home covered by almost 1,000 tonnes of dirt and is proud to refer to himself as a modern-day hobbit.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-15/quindalup-man-builds-hobbit-house-to-save-on-energy/8711758
Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, and the ACT defy Turnbull, will “go it alone” on Clean Energy Target
States harden threat to got it alone on clean energy target, THE AUSTRALIAN, 15 July 17 ROSIE LEWIS, Reporter, Canberra @rosieslewis and SID MAHER, NSW Editor, Sydney@sidmaher
Labor states have ramped up pressure on the Turnbull government to adopt a clean energy target but refused to lift bans on gas exploration, triggering warnings from industry leaders that time was running out for a national approach to lowering electricity costs and securing supply.
A crucial meeting of the nation’s state and federal energy ministers yesterday signed 49 of the 50 recommendations handed down by Chief Scientist Alan Finkel, but Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and the ACT stuck to their threat to “go it alone” on a target and moved to “immediately develop and design” options for implementing the mechanism………
The Australian Energy Council, representing major gas and electricity businesses, said brokering a national and bipartisan CET was fundamental to overcoming the energy crisis.
“Successful reform and lower energy bills will only come from bipartisan support and national implementation. Investment behind this reform will run for decades, so we need to find broad and enduring agreement to give it the confidence to proceed.’’
Key Finkel recommendations agreed to at the Council of Australian Governments Energy Council meeting in Brisbane include an obligation on intermittent sources of generation such as wind and solar to provide appropriate levels of backup power to guard against blackouts; a requirement for large generators to give at least three years’ notice before closing; and the establishment of an energy security board to scrutinise the National Electricity Market’s health, security and reliability.
The states also backed the federal government’s decision to abolish the Limited Merits Review — a tool the government says has been used by power companies to increase electricity prices — and accelerate the timetable for gas pipelines reform.
The price and availability of long-term electricity retail contracts will be published so big consumers can understand the market they are competing in.
Grattan Institute energy director Tony Wood said the only factors likely to drive any easing of prices were a decision by the Queensland government to order its generators to lower their returns, and the final commissioning of the Gladstone LNG export facilities, which could see more gas made available for domestic use and ease gas prices……
The Australian Pipelines and Gas Association was dismayed that energy ministers had brought forward reforms to pipeline operations by a month. Information disclosure and arbitration rules will now begin on August 1.http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/climate/states-harden-threat-to-got-it-alone-on-clean-energy-target/news-story/2cd2a87bd563c1e940aeeee83a831cc2
Energy experts and executives are impressed by AEMO boss Audrey Zibelman
Zibelman is not on board the coal-power train with former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce and Jones.
Views such as Jones’s are alien to virtually anyone who works in – or closely observes – the energy industry.
Energy executives are impressed. “I was quite buoyed by Audrey’s approach on demand response,” said Steven Neave, head of electricity networks for Powercor and Citipower, the largest Victorian distributor, who attended the CEDA lunch.
Zibelman said while the CET and consistent national policy would be useful for energy companies – because it would make their investment decisions easier – it wouldn’t make much difference to AEMO’s actions because the shift to renewables is happening and they have to deal with it.
AEMO boss Audrey Zibelman shocks jock with pro-wind and solar energy plan http://www.afr.com/news/aemo-boss-audrey-zibelman-shocks-jock-with-prowind-and-solar-energy-plan-20170713-gxace5Audrey Zibelman has barely been in the country 100 days. Yet she has already aroused such ire in Sydney shock jock Alan Jones that he wants her “run out of town“.How has she done this? In one word, “energy”.
Energy policy has become one of the most polarising issues in the country. Electricity and gas prices are soaring, blackouts and shortages plagued South Australia, NSW and Victoria last spring and summer, and debates about whether wind and solar power are to blame – even whether they can “kill people” – have hit fever pitch.
Zibelman landed in this cauldron in March, fresh from New York, to run the Australian Energy Market Operator – one of three agencies responsible for delivering stable, secure and affordable energy markets.
Josh Frydenberg, Australia’s Minister Against the Environment, warns the States not to act on clean energy target
Josh Frydenberg warns states against going it 
alone on clean energy target, The Age, Adam Gartrell, 14 July 17 The Turnbull government has warned the states their threat to “go it alone” on a clean energy target will only create chaos and inefficiency in the nation’s electricity system.
Energy ministers will clash on Friday as the states seek to pressure the Turnbull government to decide whether it will adopt a clean energy target – the key recommendation of Chief Scientist Alan Finkel’s review of Australia’s energy security – despite ongoing internal divisions over the policy proposal.
Led by South Australian Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis, the Labor states on Thursday threatened to bypass the federal government altogether. Without swift progress on Friday they would ask the Australian Energy Market Commission to model how a state-based target would work, Mr Koutsantonis said.
“The time to act is now – Australian households and businesses cannot be held hostage by the impotence of the federal Liberal government,” he said.
But federal Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg cautioned against the move, urging patience from the states…..
The renewed debate over Finkel came as a Liberal backbencher came under heavy fire for suggesting “people will die” as a result of renewable energy subsidies……http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/josh-frydenberg-warns-states-against-going-it-alone-on-clean-energy-target-20170713-gxafok.html
1 This month
4 November – Will AUKUS keep us safe – at what cost?
the Commissioners of the AUKUS Public Inquiry present their findings at the National Press Club of Australia in Canberra. iview.abc.net.au/show/national-press-club-address
Submissions to the federal government’s new draft framework close on the 13th November 2026.
Australians deserve the truth
about
AUKUS – https://aukuspublicinquiry.com/
PETITION – To: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Government
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
