EcoGeneration October - November 2023

Bringing auto electricians and mechanics up to speed on EVs

The essential role of data centres on the path to net-zero emissions

Extending the life of energy assets through monitoring and data

From the editor I

t has been a big 12 months for Australia’s offshore wind industry. On the back of the nation’s first offshore wind zone announcement in waters off Victoria’s Gippsland region in 2022, comes the unveiling of plans for an official wind zone off the coast of the NSW Hunter region. This announcement, in July 2023, cements the Federal Government’s commitment to fast-tracking wind energy production.

The declared offshore wind zone 20km off the coast of the Hunter region will cover 1800 square kilometres between Swansea and Port Stephens, with potential energy generation of 5GW. This location is an important pillar to support one of Australia’s industrial heartlands.

Australia is a nation with an abundance of sun and wind so it makes sense we maximise these natural resources for solar and wind energy as part of national ambitions to become a renewables superpower.

While the announcement of large-scale renewable energy projects is always exciting for Australia’s future, it is important we maintain momentum to remain on track to meet legislated emissions targets of 43 per cent by 2030, and 82 per cent renewable energy by the same year. As Clean Energy Council chief executive Kane Thornton explains in his regular EcoGeneration column (page 14), there have been some bumps in the road in 2022 as the nation accepts that 240 per cent expansion in annual new generation from 2026 to 2030 is required to meet these targets. However, our commitment remains strong.

As Australia’s uptake of electric vehicles rises, mechanics and auto electricians face challenges adapting their skill-set and knowledge. Neil Beveridge from Albury-based renewables training organisation Skillbuild explains how he is delivering practical courses that offer expertise to ensure mechanics are up to speed on how to service EVs. Read more on page 40.

Also in this issue is a feature on the role of data centres in achieving net-zero emissions (page 28), and how the Clean Energy Council’s new myCEC service is helping the solar industry to keep on top of regulations and reducing compliance concerns.

Finally, in the solar inverter guide in the August issue of EcoGeneration, we mistakenly left off our thanks to David Tolliday from Holmesglen Institute for his time and expertise in compiling the information and writing the feature.

Gavin Dennett EcoGeneration Editor

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ACT welcomes Australia’s first zero-emissions emergency vehicle

Australia’s first zero-emissions emergency services vehicle has been unveiled at the Australasian Fire and Authorities Conference in Brisbane, Queensland.

Volvo Group has supplied the green logistics vehicle to the ACT Emergency Services Agency, and it will be used for operational support to fire and rescue teams in the national capital.

The Volvo FL Electric is a solid and nimble truck designed for urban and city environments.

“This is a significant milestone for the ACT,” says ACT Minister for Police and Emergency Services Mick Gentleman. “Transitioning emergency services operational support vehicles to zero-emissions vehicles is a crucial step to achieving our government’s nation-leading target of net-zero emissions by 2045.”

ACT Fire & Rescue has welcomed the new truck as part of the department’s commitment to a cleaner and greener future.

leadership and innovation in the design and delivery of this vehicle.”

Volvo Group Australia president Martin

Solar farm opens on King Island

King Island’s transition from dependence on diesel to a renewable energy future has taken another step forward with the opening of a 1.5MW solar farm.

Owned and operated by Hydro Tasmania, the 5000-panel solar farm on the picturesque Bass Strait island, between Tasmania and Victoria, spans six hectares and cost $3.35 million to build.

“During the past 10 years, we’ve slashed diesel consumption on King Island by 50 per cent [through renewables projects],” says Hydro Tasmania CEO Ian Brooksbank. “That saves 2.1 million litres of diesel and cuts carbon emissions by 5700 tonnes a year.

“The solar farm will save an additional 300,000 litres in diesel and 800 tonnes in carbon emissions annually, delivering greater reliability in electricity supply for local homes and businesses.”

processes, the first vehicle is expected to go into operational service in and around the ACT in early 2024.

The first wind farm was installed on King Island 25 years ago, and subsequent expansions and technology advances have made the island an Australian innovator in hybrid renewable energy systems.

“King Island has become a renewable energy blueprint for isolated off-grid communities in Australia and around the world, and it continues to lead the way,” says Brooksbank.

“This type of hybrid, renewable energy system is a model for the national electricity market. How we integrate wind, solar and storage, while reducing fossil fuels and maintaining grid stability, is an important lesson as the nation transitions to renewable energy.”

Hydro Tasmania aims to achieve net-zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions across its organisation by 2025.

Australia’s first zero-emissions emergency services vehicle on display at the Australasian Fire and Authorities Conference in Brisbane.

The new 1.5MW solar farm on King Island.

Victoria bans gas in all new homes from 2024

The Victorian Government is phasing out gas usage across the state, with a new policy requiring residential dwellings built after 1 January, 2024, to be all-electric.

Victoria has the highest usage of residential gas in Australia, with 80 per cent of homes connected. However, the state government is committed to reducing its dependence on the fossil fuel and embracing its electric future with new regulations to residential planning permits.

All new public buildings – such as schools, hospitals, police stations and government offices – that have not already reached the design stage will also become all-electric, effective immediately.

Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio says the ban on gas in new homes will help the state reach its emissions reduction target of 75-80 per cent by 2035 and net zero by 2045, as well as easing cost-of-living pressure.

“The cost of living for Victorians is getting bigger,” she says. “Gas bills are absolutely eye watering.

“Going all-electric will save a new homeowner $1000 off their energy bills each year. If they’ve got solar panels, it will save them $2200.”

The Energy Efficiency Council endorses the Victorian Government initiative to reduce its dependence on gas, which contributes around 17 per cent of Victoria’s emissions.

“All-electric homes are good for Victorian families,” says Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel. “They are cheaper to run, healthier to live in and help lower emissions.”

Analysis by consumer group Renew reveals that building an all-electric home could reduce household energy bills by 35 per cent.

“With interest rates sky high, if used to help pay off your home loan, these bill savings from going all-electric could slash two years off an average 25-year mortgage in Melbourne,” says Menzel.

“Given upfront costs of building an all-electric home are comparable to building a home with a gas connection, it makes going all-electric a no-brainer. It is a big

Transgrid signs $100 million contract for transmission equipment

Transgrid is preparing to deliver a major overhaul of Australia’s electricity transmission network. It has signed a $100 million contract for the supply of high-voltage equipment as the nation transitions to a clean energy grid.

The transmission operator in NSW and ACT has signed the contract with ZTT Australia to supply 17,500km of high-voltage conductors as part of its Powering Tomorrow Together program that includes the rollout of major projects such as HumeLink, VNI West and EnergyConnect.

“We continue to build our global supply chain to secure the specialised kit needed to build the future clean energy grid and ensure competitive and efficient delivery of the Federal Government’s energy plans,” says Transgrid CEO Brett Redman.

“Transgrid has finalised a $100 million contract with ZTT Australia to supply 17,500km of high voltage conductors – enough to stretch from Sydney to Dublin. We are also finalising a separate contract with another Australian company to supply other locally produced conductor elements.”

The Powering Tomorrow Together

program bundles procurement for major projects and enables Transgrid to purchase materials such as substation equipment at a lower cost, enabling limited resources to be used across multiple projects. It is supported by a $400 million Federal Government underwriting as part of the Rewiring the Nation program.

“Transgrid is investing $16.5 billion in transmission infrastructure in NSW during the next decade to accelerate the Federal Government’s vision,” says Transgrid’s executive general manager, delivery, Craig Stallan. “Our major transmission projects involve a long shopping list for big kit, and we are competing with Europe, the US and UK to secure highly sought-after slots on production lines.

“The new conductors will be used on HumeLink and VNI West. By securing supply now, we can deliver projects faster and cheaper for consumers.

“It is also reducing risk as we compete with other energy companies and nations to secure critical, large-scale equipment, materials and skilled labour to deliver the projects Australia needs.”

Transgrid’s executive general manager, delivery, Craig Stallan (left), and ZTT Group CEO Xue Chi (right) at the signing of the $100 million deal for the supply of high-voltage equipment.

The Victorian Government is banning gas in new homes from 2024.

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Staying the course on energy targets

Tuning in to the news in recent times reminds me of the history of clean energy and the naysayers who always said, “It can’t be done.”

They said it couldn’t be done when John Howard set the original 10 per cent Renewable Energy Target (RET) at the turn of the century. They said the 20 per cent RET couldn’t be achieved by 2020, yet we smashed that. They said one million rooftop solar systems would shut down the grid. Today, there are more than 3.5 million of them on Australian roofs.

There have always been naysayers, but clean energy progress in Australia and worldwide continues regardless.

Emissions reductions of 43 per cent, and 82 per cent renewable energy, by 2030 are ambitious targets. But they set up Australia to become a global clean energy superpower, fundamentally modernising

our economy and energy system.

At the Clean Energy Council, we recently commissioned a report from Green Energy Markets, which reveals that achieving the 82 per cent target will require a 240 per cent expansion in annual new generation from 2026 to 2030.

For that to happen, Australia must double down on its abundance of natural, renewable resources and not be distracted by debates about extending the life of fossil fuels, or a role for nuclear energy, as is currently popular. These are distractions.

Fossil fuels are finished – Victoria’s decision to ban gas connection in new homes from January 2024 is a good example – and nuclear is far too costly, time-intensive and untested.

Energy targets

At the Australian Clean Energy Summit, in July 2023, we were blessed with a fantastic

line up of speakers from government, industry leaders, analysts and experts. We were pleased to find there is widespread enthusiasm for extending Australia’s RET, something we have long called for.

Australia’s previous RET was met in 2020 and it is phasing out. No single policy has propelled forward the industry as much. The benefits of an extension would be enormous. While state governments have stepped into the breaches, we still need a national policy mechanism to help us reach the 82 per cent target.

Consumer uptake of rooftop solar in Australia has been built off the back of the successful Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) program. Not only has SRES helped reduce upfront costs associated with the purchase of rooftop solar, it has built strong compliance requirements.

Despite some bumps in the road, Australia is making giant strides in its renewable energy progress, writes Clean Energy Council chief executive Kane Thornton.

Australia requires 240 per cent expansion in annual new renewable energy generation from 2026 to 2030 to meet its emissions target.

At the Clean Energy Council, we are proud of the role we have played in building robust i nstaller and product accreditation programs, and running the New Energy Technology Code of Conduct (NETCC), which was replaced by the Solar Code of Conduct in early 2023. These schemes are a critical part of the regulatory framework that helps drive better behaviour from the industry and ensures customers are treated fairly and honestly.

The Clean Energy Regulator is currently undergoing a tender process for the installer accreditation program. The Clean Energy Council has not applied to continue in this role, assuming there is another body that can perform this important, but arduous, task.

However, our strong support for installers continues. This takes the form of the myCEC program, a subscription service providing technical support, learning resources, business benefits and much more. This service provides critical support to installers in understanding and

navigating growing complexity and demands as they install systems. We need more installers, and myCEC is designed to encourage and support them in the industry.

The Clean Energy Regulator’s latest small-scale technology certificates report shows that rooftop solar capacity installed in Q1 2023 was 21 per cent higher than in Q1 2022. The rooftop solar industry in Australia is world leading, and evidence suggests it will continue to drive the country’s clean energy transition.

The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) and the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) are currently undertaking several policy reviews that are exploring ways to unlock value in making

energy generated from rooftop solar more flexible and valuable by creating markets and providing incentives for consumers to move their energy to different parts of the day when the system has spare capacity. These reforms are important to unlocking new revenue streams and incentivising households to take up solar.

Consumer confidence in any industry is essential. The rooftop solar industry in Australia has built significant social licence with communities by delivering power bill savings. These benefits are there for all to see – clean energy is the best way to reduce energy bills in the short-term and long-term.

The Clean Energy Council is carefully considering how we can leverage an expanded SRES program to better support customers in the future. The focus needs to be on how to encourage more orchestration of rooftop solar and storage. However, that needs to be driven by consumers who make informed choices and have trust in the installation process and the quality of products.

At a time when the large-scale clean energy sector is wrestling with how best to engage and work with communities on bigger projects – although large-scale projects are a more difficult sell, have longer lead times and fewer immediately visible benefits – rooftop solar continues to bring crucial generation to the grid.

Embracing the challenge

It’s no secret commitments to large-scale clean energy projects slowed in early 2023. Just 0.4GW of large-scale projects were committed in the first half of 2023, which is a long way short of the 5GW per annum we need.

But we must not forget we have the best combination of wind, solar and water resources anywhere in the world. For the first time in our history, we have wall-to-wall governments supporting clean energy. Australia has built a strong, vibrant industry, led by remarkable progress in the rooftop solar and storage sector.

This is the time to embrace the challenge and prove the naysayers wrong again.

Kane Thornton has more than a decade of experience in energy policy and leadership in the development of the renewable energy industry. His column is a regular feature in EcoGeneration, where he analyses industry trends and explains the impacts of federal and state renewable policies on the energy sector.

Creating opportunities through emissions reduction

Leading suppliers in Australia’s clean energy sector will recognise the market opportunities the recent Safeguard Mechanism reforms have created.

The facilities covered by the emissions legislation will increasingly need to source clean energy technological solutions, large and small, to achieve and surpass the Federal Government’s emissions reduction targets.

The Safeguard Mechanism has been in operation since 2016. However, for 2023-2024, the system has been tightened to drive down emissions in Australia’s industrial sector.

The Safeguard Mechanism applies to facilities that emit more than 100,000 tCO2-e of covered emissions in a financial year. It covers Scope 1 emissions – including direct emissions from fugitive emissions –and emissions from fuel combustion, waste disposal and industrial processes such as cement and steel making. Scope 2 emissions, such as those associated with electricity sourced from the grid or from hydrogen produced offsite, are not covered under the mechanism.

Approximately 28 per cent of Australian greenhouse emissions come from facilities

covered under the mechanism from sectors of the economy including mining, oil and gas extraction, manufacturing, transport and waste.

Earlier in 2023, Federal Parliament passed reforms to the Safeguard Mechanism, which came into effect on 1 July and apply to the 2023-2024 compliance period. The reformed Safeguard Mechanism will contribute to Australia’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, and to reach net zero by 2050.

The mechanism requires and incentivises Australia’s largest industrial facilities to

Recent reforms to the Safeguard Mechanism are helping keep Australia on track to meet its emissions reduction target, as well as stimulating new renewables solutions, writes Clean Energy Regulator chair David Parker.

The Safeguard Mechanism requires and incentivises Australia’s largest industrial facilities to reduce their emissions.

Overview of the Safeguard Mechanism

be issued to facilities that do not exceed their declining baselines. The structure of these incentives means those who reduce emissions faster and at the lowest cost will be rewarded. The first SMCs are likely to be issued in early 2025 to facilities whose emissions are lower than their baselines in the year to June 2024.

SMCs may be on-sold for financial benefit or retained for use against a future liability.

Facilities that don’t have commercially available emissions reduction opportunities have options to meet their baselines. Facilities could choose to bring forward capital investments, and doing so will reduce emissions and generate SMCs. They may borrow a portion of their baseline from a future compliance year, apply for a Multi-Year Monitoring Period (MYMP) or purchase and surrender SMCs or Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs).

To promote accountability and transparency, facilities will be required to publicly justify their use of offsets if they use ACCUs equivalent to 30 per cent or more of their baseline to meet their obligations.

I believe the reformed scheme will stimulate demand for large-scale and small-scale clean energy solutions. Many Safeguard facilities are remote and have onsite electricity generation that could be transitioned from diesel to firmed renewables.

Other potential changes may include the electrification of industrial processes, or the production of renewable-electricity based “green” hydrogen to displace the use of natural gas for heat-based processes.

The economic incentives are now in place for facilities to seek cleaner energy solutions. The mature and innovative Australian clean energy sector is well placed to supply Safeguard facilities with the solutions they are looking for.

reduce their emissions to help meet these targets. It aims to deliver more than 200 million tonnes of abatement by 2030. This is equal to taking two-thirds of the nation’s cars off the road during the same period.

The reforms introduce a declining emissions limit – called a baseline – that facilities are required to stay below each year. The baseline of each facility will lower by 4.9 per cent annually through to 2030. Some trade-exposed facilities, such as cement manufacturing, may apply for flexibility to secure a reduced baseline

decline rate if they meet a cost-impact metric test. New facilities will have their baselines set to tighter international best-practice emissions-intensity levels.

The reforms also introduce Safeguard Mechanism Credit units (SMCs), which will

The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) administers the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) scheme and Safeguard Mechanism. CER oversees facility registration, reporting and obligation management. Information about covered Safeguard facilities are available at cleanenergyregulator.gov.au.

David Parker AM has been chair of the Clean Energy Regulator since July 2017. With a career spanning more than 25 years with Commonwealth Treasury, he has worked across financial sector liberalisation, tax reform, macroeconomic forecasting and policy, competition policy, energy policy and international economics.

Safeguard Mechanism

Not covered by the Safeguard Mechanism

A facility emits 100,000tCO2-e of covered emissions or less

for financial years commencing on

after 1 July 2023

Transgrid completes annual bushfire prevention program

Transmission operator Transgrid has carried out its bushfire prevention operation ahead of a predicted hot and dry summer in Australia.

With Australia bracing for a long, hot summer, Transgrid has undertaken its annual bushfire prevention program to help protect communities from natural disaster.

The transmission operator in NSW and ACT has carried out hundreds of hours of helicopter inspections, aerial imagery, 3D laser scanning, thermographic surveying, vegetation management and network maintenance across thousands of kilometres of transmission lines as part of its bushfire prevention operation.

“Transgrid has completed its comprehensive annual bushfire prevention program as we prepare for what is likely to be a potentially severe bushfire season,” says Transgrid’s executive general manager of network, Marie Jordan.

“We take the risk of bushfires very seriously and the safety of our people and local communities is our priority. That’s why we have ensured a high level of preparedness across more than 13,000km of transmission lines.

“Transgrid uses best-practice asset management and network safety management systems to reduce bushfire risk and potential impacts to local communities and the environment.”

Transgrid’s 2023 bushfire safety management program includes:

• A 3D laser aerial survey of easements across the entire network using LiDAR technology to identify vegetation growing too close to transmission lines.

• An extensive vegetation management program with on-the-ground teams assessing and mitigating potential vegetation encroachments.

• Helicopter inspections and aerial imagery of the network to physically assess the condition of transmission towers and lines.

• On-the-ground teams carrying out network inspections and maintenance to avoid potential bushfire hazards.

• Thermographic surveying of substations to identify and address required asset upgrades.

“These aerial surveys and inspections involve 500 flying hours and have enabled our teams on the ground to proactively respond to potential bushfire hazards, including vegetation management and tower and line maintenance,” says Jordan.

“About half of our maintenance expenditure each year relates to mitigating bushfire risk, including ongoing and comprehensive vegetation management to maintain our easement corridors.

This is conducted with asset inspection programs and rectification works to ensure the safe operation of our network.

“Transgrid works closely with the NSW Rural Fire Service and local Bush Fire Management Committees comprising landholders, land managers, fire authorities and community organisations.

“During bushfire season, we work very closely with fire authorities to provide safe and secure access to our easements for firefighters, including de-energising transmission lines if required.

“Our focus is on prevention first. That’s why our network planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance takes bushfire risk into account every step of the way.”

NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Rob Rogers says preventative bushfire action ahead of the predicted hot and dry summer is essential work.

“As we move out of a period of incredibly wet weather, the risk of serious bush and grass fires is returning to NSW,” he says.

“Transgrid’s commitment to preparedness is an important part of ensuring our people are in the best position to protect communities across the state when fire threatens.”

A Transgrid aerial team surveying bushland around transmission line towers.

With predictions of a hot summer ahead, Transgrid is conducting bushfire prevention work in NSW.

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The vision for a sustainable nation

The recent Australian Clean Energy Summit in Sydney provided a platform for leaders in the renewables space to progress the industry into the future.

The future of Australia’s renewables industry was in focus at the Australian Clean Energy Summit in Sydney on 18-19 July, 2023. Hosted by the Clean Energy Council and run in conjunction with the Energy Next exhibition at ICC Sydney, the conference was a platform for industry leaders to share their sustainability and renewable energy vision. Across the event’s two days of keynote speakers and networking, attendees gained insight into the ideas, innovations and policies driving Australia’s ambition to becoming a clean energy superpower. Presentation topics included decarbonising Australia’s industrial sector; large-scale hydrogen; First Nations engagement in the renewables industry; the importance of small-scale renewables; the transition away from oil and gas; offshore wind power; and growing the clean energy workforce.

Gala dinner

The annual Australian Clean Energy Summit gala dinner was a highlight of the event. Hosted by Walkley-award winning journalist Jan Fran, the evening incorporated the 2023 Clean Energy Council Awards, in which the renewables industry’s high achievers were honoured.

The dinner’s guest speaker was prominent lawyer, academic, land rights activist and founder of the Cape York Partnership, Noel Pearson.

Women in Renewables Luncheon

Another feature of the summit was the Women in Renewables Luncheon on the opening day. The theme was mentoring, with prominent clean energy industry leaders speaking about the role of women supporting each other and fostering vocational relationships.

The event was introduced by the Clean Energy Council’s director of workplace development, Dr Anita Talberg, and featured panellists including session chair Victoria McKenzie-McHarg, strategic director, Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia; Ruby Heard, director, Alinga Energy Consulting; and Romilly Madew, chief executive officer, Engineers Australia.

“Mentoring is a big part of our professional lives and in a small purpose-driven industry such as renewables in Australia it can become a really important part of our personal lives,” Dr Talberg told attendees. “This year, the Clean Energy Council launched its Women in Renewables Mentoring Program. We connected 40 industry leaders with 40 aspiring and emerging leaders who identify as women.

“The driver for our work in this space is the staggering statistic that the

The Women in Renewables Luncheon at the Australian Clean Energy Summit.

representation of women in our industry, which sits at 39 per cent across the whole industry, drops to 32 per cent in senior management roles, and just 19 per cent at board level.”

In chairing the onstage panel, McKenzieMcHarg stressed the importance of mentoring in fostering an industry where more women are in leadership roles.

“The evidence is abundantly clear that more women in decision-making roles equals better outcomes for the environment, climate change and clean technology,” she said. “If we want to see the scale of the energy transformation that everyone is exploring at this conference, we need to see women in senior leadership roles. That is across politics, government, business and community sectors.”

Small-scale renewables

A highlight session on day one of the summit was “Shining light: The massive role of small-scale renewables in the clean energy transition”. This session was chaired by Jenny Paradiso, co-founder of solar and battery storage company Suntrix. The keynote speaker in this session was Warwick Johnson, Clean Energy Council board member and founder of solar analytics company SunWiz.

The focus was on the role of rooftop solar and batteries in doing much of the heavy lifting in Australia’s clean energy transition. However, it was noted that households will need to prepare for greater PV system sizes – from the standard rooftop system size of 6.6kW to 26kW – as full electrification of

homes and vehicles takes hold.

“6.6kW has been the habit of the solar industry,” said Johnson. “From research I have seen, households follow the recommendation of their retailer. But we will see significant upgrades as people realise what they have is not enough and they embrace things such as electric vehicles.”

Industry collaboration

Focus was placed on collaborative relationship building between industry and training organisations at day-two session, “Attract, train, retain: Industry partnerships to support the clean energy workforce”. With the ongoing skills shortage in the renewables sector, there is growing need

for collaboration between industry and training organisations to offer portable entitlements and transferable upskilling opportunities.

“The clean energy industry is in huge competition with every other industry in Australia,” said NSW Electricity Infrastructure Jobs Advocate Mark Apthorpe. “There are so many infrastructure projects happening around the country and as an industry, employees need to be the most valuable assets.

“There is an opportunity for collaboration between players we have not seen before. As we move to a new world of energy, there is an opportunity to go to a new world of managing people and working collaboratively.”

The Clean Energy Council’s stand at the two-day event in July 2023.

The Australian Clean Energy Summit in Sydney brought together the renewables industry for knowledge sharing and networking.

Noel Pearson was the keynote speaker at the annual Australian Clean Energy Summit gala dinner.

Top achievers in clean energy

The 2023 Clean Energy Council Awards honour the individuals and organisations excelling in Australia’s renewables industry.

The Clean Energy Council celebrated high achievers of the renewables industry at the Australian Clean Energy Summit in Sydney on 18 July. The 2023 Clean Energy Council Award winners were announced at a gala dinner during the two-day event at ICC Sydney.

The awards recognise leaders who are contributing to Australia’s clean energy transformation. They honour individuals and organisations across categories including Outstanding Contribution to Industry, Collaboration, First Nations Engagement and Participation, and Diversity and Inclusion.

The Outstanding Contribution to Clean Energy Award went to former NSW Minister for Energy and Environment Matt Kean. This award honours an individual’s impact towards accelerating Australia’s transition to clean energy. During his time as state energy minister, from 2019 to 2021, Kean delivered the 20-year Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, the biggest renewable energy policy in Australia’s history.

“Leadership is doing more than showing up,” said Clean Energy Council chief executive Kane Thornton. “Leadership is taking risks to have an impact even if it comes at the expense of your own role or position.

“Championing a progressive set of energy and climate policies in the Liberal Party, Kean argued that the centre of Australian

politics needs to reclaim its voice in the political debate. His leadership helped break through the partisan political barriers that plagued our sector for years.”

The Collaboration Award recognises an organisation, individual or group that has worked to build consensus and progress a reform that benefits Australia’s clean energy industry.

For 2023, it was presented to Supply Solar for its work recycling and repurposing solar panels. Addressing Australia’s major problem of 450,000 tonnes of used PV panels being destined for landfill by 2040, the company has formed a relationship with the Ministry of Defence to export secondhand panels abroad.

The First Nations Engagement and Participation Award recognises an individual or organisation that demonstrates outstanding positive engagement with First Nations communities.

The 2023 recipient is the First Nations Clean Energy Network for its groundbreaking work giving First Nations peoples a voice in Australia’s clean energy transition.

The organisation – which was featured in EcoGeneration’s cover story in April 2023 – works with Indigenous communities to develop clean energy engagement and activities. It also works with policymakers to develop strategies to ensure the nation’s clean energy transition is equitable.

There were joint winners of the Diversity and Inclusion Award, with Hydro Tasmania and RES taking the gongs.

Lucy Aird commenced with Hydro Tasmania in 2017 and is recognised for leading an inclusive and accessible culture across the business.

“Championing a sustainable future isn’t just about renewable energy,” she said upon accepting the joint award. “It is about addressing social inequalities and investing in opportunities for people to succeed.”

RES is the world’s largest independent renewable energy company. It has been honoured for its establishment of a global “affinity network” covering the five dimensions of diversity: age, disability, gender, race and LGBTQI+.

Thornton said the 2023 Clean Energy Council Awards recognise outstanding work to fast-track Australia to a clean energy future.

“Our sector is navigating the greatest transformation of our economy since the Industrial Revolution,” he said. “This year’s award winners lead the way, delivering the benefits of clean, low-cost renewable energy for Australia’s success and prosperity.”

First Nations Clean Energy Network founder Karrina Nolan (centre) with Chris Croker from Impact Investment Partners (left) and Clean Energy Council chair Peter Cowling (right). The First Nations Clean Energy Network won the First Nations Engagement and Participation Award at the 2023 Clean Energy Council Awards.

Outstanding Contribution to Clean Energy Award winner Matt Kean (centre) with Clean Energy Council chair Peter Cowling (left) and chief executive Kane Thornton (right).

Energy Next: Charting Australia’s net-zero future

Australia’s clean energy industry gathered in Sydney on 18-19 July, 2023, for the annual Energy Next exhibition. Co-located under one roof with the Clean Energy Council’s Australian Clean Energy Summit, the events attracted the renewables sector’s innovators and thought leaders for two days of knowledge sharing and exploration of the nation’s clean energy future.

Powered by All-Energy Australia, in partnership with the Clean Energy Council, Energy Next at ICC Sydney focused on the latest renewable energy and energy management technologies and solutions from suppliers across solar, energy storage, electric vehicles and energy monitoring software.

In 2022, around 1500 attendees passed through the doors during the two-day event, but in 2023 this same approximate number of people visited in the first day alone, helping cement Energy Next as a premium renewables expo.

The overriding themes were collaboration, creativity and critical thinking on Australia’s path to net-zero emissions. These messages were communicated through keynote speakers and technical sessions with experts who discussed the latest issues and areas of growth for the industry across PV

innovation, electric vehicles, digitisation, hydrogen, energy data, offshore wind, microgrids and storage.

Solar installers and designers attending Energy Next benefitted from the educational Solar Masterclass sessions, where technical experts presented on a range of issues relating to standards, compliance and the latest developments in the PV industry.

“The Solar Masterclass sessions provided a great platform to engage installers on industry requirements,” said Gary Edgar, technical services SME at the Clean Energy Council. “They provided a great platform to engage installers on industry requirements.

“Energy Next is a good base for products and new technologies for consumers to consider, and it has been a great place for the Clean Energy Council to connect with the industry.”

Energy Next also served as an urgent call for action from the clean energy industry and government to accelerate the uptake of renewables to meet Australia’s target of 43 per cent emissions reduction by 2030.

“We need to decarbonise rapidly,” said Dr Nicole Kuepper-Russell, deputy CEO of solar company 5B, during her address at the event. “We need to electrify everything and deploy at enormous scale, well beyond the Industrial Revolution.

“Australia needs 80 terawatts of power and 60 times more terawatts on the ground by 2030. However, there are major challenges: labour is becoming scarce, with an ageing population. Large-scale solar farms are in highly remote sites; materials are scarce and land is scarce. We urgently need to think creatively about how we achieve these goals.”

Energy Next returns to Sydney in July 2024

The bustling expo floor at Energy Next in Sydney in July 2023.

Warwick Johnston from SunWiz addressing Energy Next attendees. Photo: Energy Next.

The recent Energy Next event in Sydney brought together the clean energy industry to shine a spotlight on the nation’s renewables roadmap.

Offshore wind zone announced for NSW Hunter region

The NSW Hunter region has been announced as Australia’s second offshore wind zone, maximising the nation’s abundance of wind to produce renewable energy, writes Gavin

Dennett.

Australia’s offshore wind industry is fast-tracking the future with the Federal Government unveiling an official wind zone off the coast of the NSW Hunter region.

Following the 2022 announcement of Australia’s first offshore wind zone in waters off southeast Victoria’s Gippsland region, this latest development cements the government’s commitment to maximising the nation’s abundance of natural wind to produce clean energy.

The Hunter region is one of Australia’s heavy industrial heartlands. Combined with its offshore region in the Tasman Sea featuring strong, consistent winds, it is an ideal location for turbines to produce large volumes of renewable energy while supporting future onshore manufacturing.

The declared offshore wind zone covers 1800 square kilometres between Swansea and Port Stephens. It is positioned 20km from the coast in the north and 35km from the coast in the south. Its potential energy generation is 5GW, enough to power local industries and an estimated 4.2 million homes.

“The Hunter is undergoing significant economic change, and the prospect of creating new job opportunities for decades to come through a new offshore wind industry is a game changer,” says Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen.

“This declaration opens the door for a new industry in the region, which could create more than 3000 construction jobs and another 1560 ongoing jobs.”

The Climate Council endorses the rubber stamping of the Hunter offshore wind zone,

which brings Australia a step closer to being a renewable energy superpower.

“Offshore wind will be a key pillar of Australia’s future renewable energy mix,” says Dr Madeline Taylor, Climate Councillor and senior lecturer at Macquarie University’s School of Law. “The Hunter offshore wind zone will fill another piece in the puzzle in decarbonising Australia’s energy system as we continue switching away from carbon-intensive fuels.

“As one of the windiest places on earth, Australia should be cashing in on those solutions and creating a prosperous and sustainable future.

“Australia holds the potential to generate up to 5000GW of electricity from offshore wind using a combination of fixed and floating infrastructure. It is endowed with some of the richest and most diverse renewable energy resources. The right investment and planning in offshore wind is Australia’s golden ticket to a clean energy future.”

Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie says wind power is an essential ingredient in Australia’s renewable energy mix.

“We have a huge opportunity to seize our potential and get more renewables such as offshore wind online as we work to dramatically slash our emissions this

decade,” she says. “Wind energy is one of the cheapest ways to add new electricity supply in Australia, especially as power prices continue to bite.

“Ramping up the renewables rollout will bring us closer to lower power bills and less harmful carbon pollution. We must maintain this momentum if Australia is to become a renewable energy superpower.”

The parameters of the Hunter offshore wind zone were established following two months of public consultation with local communities, local industry and sea users. The area is smaller than the original proposed zone, with stakeholder feedback resulting in amendments to enable safe management of shipping and other sea industries.

Offshore infrastructure will be limited to a height of 260 metres to ensure aviation safety.

“The Albanese Government has listened to community feedback and revised the offshore wind zone to ensure it coexists with whale migration, bird and sea life, and our shipping industry,” says Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon.

“This is an important part of a suite of measures which will position Newcastle and the Hunter as a clean energy hub, including a $100 million investment to ensure

hydrogen readiness at Port of Newcastle.”

Leading Australian energy developer Oceanex and international energy company Equinor welcome the news of Australia’s second offshore wind zone.

“We’ve seen firsthand the incredible transformation the Hunter economy is undergoing with the need to rapidly decarbonise local industry,” says Oceanex CEO Andy Evans.

“This announcement is an unprecedented opportunity for the Hunter to benefit from an innovative new industry that will grow rapidly to be a cornerstone of the Australian energy market.

“Developing a multibillion-dollar clean energy industry here will spearhead the Hunter’s economic transformation and ensure its skilled workforce and industrial capacity continues to deliver prosperity well into the 21st century.”

Oceanex first announced plans to develop its Novocastrian Offshore Wind Farm off the Hunter coast in 2020. Two years later, the company partnered with Equinor to bring the project to life once the offshore wind zone was green lit from the Federal Government.

The project will utilise modern floating wind generation technology and will be located more than 20km offshore to access strong and consistent winds.

Australia’s second offshore wind zone will be located between 20km and 35km off the coast of the NSW Hunter Region, with capacity to produce 5GW of energy.

Data centres’ key role in sustainability

With data centres comprising up to two per cent of global energy use, their operators must become resource stewards on the path to net zero, writes Joe

The global energy sector is a major contributor to emissions output, but its demand is currently outpacing supply of renewable energy. In Australia, demand is growing, with development exceeding 183,000 square metres in 2023. Data centre storage needs have led to $3.8 billion investment in Australia in the past 12 months. Globally, it is close to $13 billion investment.

It is incumbent on data centre owners and operators – whose industry is responsible for one to two per cent of global energy use – to focus on energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. With independent research commissioned by Schneider Electric revealing just 33 per cent of sustainability decision makers at colocation providers say their organisation has a strategic sustainability plan, it is clear the industry is only just starting its collective journey in this space. However, there is a path forward. By creating an action plan based on

a holistic measurement framework, and leaning on modern technology, businesses can accomplish sustainability goals and turn them into competitive advantages.

Paving the way for sustainability

Energy use is just one measure of sustainability. Data centre operators that wish to turn sustainability into a competitive advantage should consider energy use as one part of a holistic plan.

Understanding a data centre’s impact on the environment requires measuring greenhouse gas emissions; water use; waste production; land and biodiversity footprint; and energy consumption. By adopting standardised metrics within those sustainability categories, data centre operators will gain a thorough view of how their entire value chain impacts the environment.

With metrics in place, organisations can create action plans to mitigate data centres’

environmental impact. This will help operators reduce their negative impact on the environment and achieve operational efficiency. Leveraging cutting-edge software tools to help ingest and analyse data to these ends will ensure ongoing sustainability practices.

Software tools simplifying infrastructure management

Each data centre is one part of sprawling hybrid IT infrastructure that spans edge deployments and smaller regional data centres. Any failure at data centre level can cascade to impact the entire IT ecosystem.

Craparotta from Schneider Electric.

Joe Craparotta is vice-president of IT business at Schneider Electric.

Limiting failure requires carefully monitoring and measuring the performance of various support systems, such as cooling and energy generation. A software management system that measures the output and performance of every piece of infrastructure supporting the system is the only way to corral the

complexity of data centre deployment and realise operational efficiencies.

For example, data centre infrastructure management (DCIM) platforms allow operators to monitor, manage, plan and model physical IT infrastructure, even when it comprises thousands of devices spread across sites around the world. DCIM solutions

help simplify management of complex hybrid IT architectures.

These solutions ingest and analyse data in real time, providing insight into everything from device health to environmental impact for a holistic view of data centre operations.

Resource stewardship creates competitive advantage

Using software to develop and maintain a green action plan does more than increase sustainability efforts. Sustainable operations manage resources in efficient ways, including increased agility and fuel innovation. Such innovation improves customers’ experience and helps create a digital culture that attracts the best candidates. Creating a sustainable IT infrastructure has a ripple effect on an organisation’s bottom line, as well as the environment.

The data centre industry requires vast resources to fuel its boom. Only through careful planning and measurement can operators become thoughtful stewards the industry needs to flourish.

Data centre operators should consider energy use as one part of a holistic plan.

Innovative solar trends in Europe

As the global energy crisis grips the world, companies such as APsystems are developing new technologies that can benefit Australia.

During the ongoing global energy crisis, solar technology continues to nurture the hope of implementing a carbon-free world where energy is accessible to as many people as possible.

According to Solar Power Europe, the European Union (EU) added a recordbreaking 41.4GW of solar power in 2022. This new capacity is equivalent to the power needs of 12.4 million European homes. Annual EU solar power growth has increased by 47 per cent, from 28.1GW, in 2021.

The company mission for microinverter manufacturer APsystems shares this vision of the world where innovation pushes the limits, creating new applications and accelerating energy transition. With more than 3GW of microinverters delivered worldwide, and customers in more than

100 countries, the organisation provides multi-module microinverters utilising cutting-edge technology.

Microinverter systems bring many benefits to residential rooftop systems. APsystems’ products eliminate shading issues. Through their installation flexibility, energy production can be maximised and users can rely on a safe system.

Standalone balcony systems

Since the start of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, Europeans have braced for the possibility of widespread power cuts. The already strong demand for residential solar energy has accelerated since the Northern Hemisphere winter of 2022.

In Germany, the deployment of microinstallations for balconies has increased. This type of application – favoured by local legislation authorising direct injection of up to 600W from solar energy into a home’s electrical network – helps families reduce their energy bill while covering the energy needs of their appliances.

These microinstallation systems allow families to fight against energy shortages without having to make substantial investment up front. APsystems’ dual microinverters are suitable for such applications, and there is strong demand for them in Germany.

On the back of this demand, APsystems has introduced a range of microinverters that are simple to use due to integrated wi-fi technology that allows a direct connection with a user’s internet router. The company’s range of microinverters was launched in Germany in June 2023.

APsystems is at the forefront of clean energy innovation, including solar energy carport stations.

The LAKE1000 portable power station, released under APsystems’ storage brand, APstorage.

Switching gas-powered apartments to solar

As uptake of microinverters increases for residential and commercial rooftops, site owners of large projects are realising their potential. In Terneuzen, Netherlands, a large-scale residential solar conversion has utilised APsystems’ inverters. Combining rooftops and cladding, this 88kWp project features 110 of the company’s DS3 microinverters, switching 22 gas-powered apartments to clean electricity from solar, including for hot water and heating.

“It was decided to connect every home to 10 solar panels – together these provide 4000W to each residence,” says the project’s installer, Erik de Zwart, from Zonnepaneel Zeeland. “However, space was lacking and the roof offered limited capacity. That’s how I thought about completing the solar-powered roof with a cladding project for 20 panels which, according to our calculations, was the optimum size of the installation.

“But then a new challenge arose – how would we divide the panels among the residents in a fair way? We chose the ideal mix, with each house receiving 10 panels, some on

the east and a few on the south and west. This way, every home is guaranteed a minimum yield.

“Connecting all the panels with different orientations together with a string inverter would not have worked. The flexibility offered by the DS3 dual microinverters from APsystems assured every home would get an optimal solar power generation package to cover its boiler and heating.”

Commercial and industrial solar Converting unused parking spaces into solar energy carport stations across supermarkets in France was debated in the country’s National Assembly in 2022. In December the same year, it was legislated that outdoor car parks of more than 1500 square metres must be equipped with photovoltaic structures by 2028.

At the end of 2022, APsystems introduced the QT2, its second generation of native three-phase quad microinverters. The car park legislation in France illustrates how the

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APsystems’ EZ1 microinverter is suited for balcony PV systems and is popular in Europe.

inverters, but this is not true. A native three-phase microinverter, such as the QT2, guarantees phase balance while connecting four modules of 500W to 600W per device.

For a 100kW installation, it would require the installation of only 25 microinverters, which guarantee optimum production from each of the PV modules independently without any impact on the panel next to it. APsystems understands the cost of cleaning the panels – frequently needed for this type of installation with string inverters – is now less of a priority since each panel operates independently, benefitting project owners.

Because microinverters produce more power while requiring minimal maintenance, the small upfront cost is largely offset by a lower levelised cost of energy (LCOE) during the life of the system.

Microinverters also present many advantages compared to string inverters, including greater flexibility when fitting a roof with different angles or orientations, and accommodating other roof obstacles or limited space. Safety is also maximised because there is no high voltage DC on the roof, an important concern for a building such as a school or supermarket car park.

It is also a good way to raise users’ awareness of the project as production of each module is accessible online and free of charge on the real-time monitoring portal with the possibility of observing the equivalent tonnes of CO2 avoided.

Storage the next big thing

Generating clean energy from solar-powered roofs, cladding or carports is a growing trend, but the next step is the ability to store that energy for use at other times. This is driving the next wave of product innovations APsystems will launch on the market under the APstorage brand.

APstorage is already introducing the SEA range, its first generation of smart power conversion systems (PCS) with an ELS battery charger solution.

Based on APsystems’ innovative Module Level Power Electronics technology, the ELS 3K or 5K PCS provide a modular, single-phase AC coupling energy storage solution for residential solar.

Together with compatible low-voltage LiFePO4 batteries, including APstorage batteries, it becomes

the ideal AC coupling storage solution for residential PV applications.

The system can store from 5kWh to 20kWh for households. With automatic energy management features, system owners can choose between a back-up function, self-consumption and peak valley time modes to secure critical loads during power outages and maximise energy savings.

APstorage’s LAKE1000 will complete the company’s mobile power storage solutions range in 2023 with its 1kWh capacity, which is tailored to meet the charging needs of various small home appliances such as a microwave, coffee machine or notebook for several hours.

There are many other innovations on the horizon for APsystems’ product portfolio to make solar energy accessible for everyone.

For more information, visit apsystem.com.au.

Families around the world are benefitting from APstorage’s residential battery systems.

A large-scale residential solar conversion in Terneuzen, Netherlands, which is utilising APsystems’ microinverters.

Powering Australian mining with clean energy

Abra Base Metals Mine turned to Pacific Energy to guarantee reliable clean power at its remote site in Western Australia.

clean energy solutions at scale.

Abra Base Metals Mine is a high-grade lead-silver mine being constructed in the Edmund Sedimentary Basin, in the Gascoyne region between Meekatharra and Newman, in Western Australia, approximately 1000km northeast of Perth. It is majority owned by Galena Mining Limited, which has a 60 per cent share in the site.

The mine’s lead-silver resource is 230 metres below the surface. Exploration drilling has identified the potential of copper-gold mineralisation directly below the currently defined lead-silver mineralisation.

site’s energy requirements. The company has supplied two 4.6MW (4565kVA) FIMER PVS980-58 central inverters that are guaranteed to deliver high performance in the harsh Western Australian desert, where temperatures can reach 50 degrees Celsius.

The mining industry is a critical pillar of the Australian economy. It has an essential role in the nation’s ambition to become a clean energy superpower. With wind and solar megaprojects rolling out during the next decade, the sector is providing the resources to ensure infrastructure gets built.

The mining industry is synonymous with its carbon footprint, however it is taking steps to reduce its emissions. With Australia committed to a 43 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030, and net zero by 2050, mining is innovating to become cleaner and greener.

This is where renewables entities such as FIMER Australia can assist. With a history of solar-inverter excellence, the Italian-based company can help support mining heavyweights to deliver

Due to the remote nature of the mine, Galena Mining has sought to establish an onsite hybrid thermal and renewable power station to ensure reliable energy, lower the mine’s operating costs, and reduce its carbon footprint.

The off-grid power station was completed in 2022 and is operated by Pacific Energy. It is a 21MW fully integrated system combining a 6MWac solar farm, 2MW battery energy storage system (BESS) with a 10MW highefficiency/low-emissions gas generation plant and 1100kl LNG storage and re-gas facility.

The solar farm – which features 15,024 mono-facial 460W panels that provide 30 per cent of power to the site – and BESS system were designed and constructed by Pacific Energy.

In mid-2021, FIMER was engaged by Pacific Energy’s renewables division to provide a 8.8MVA solution to meet the mine

“We have been extremely impressed with the capability and responsiveness of FIMER’s local and global product team throughout the project, specifically the product selection process and commissioning of products,” says Daniel Jackson, Pacific Energy’s managing director – renewables. “Their level of communication provided us with comfort that our requirements have been met and we could meet our project milestones.”

FIMER’s PVS980-58 inverter performs  in harsh environments, including extreme summer heat. It is durable and equipped with electrical and mechanical protection to provide reliable service life of at least 25 years.

“FIMER’s PVS980 inverters have proprietary technology using self-contained, two-phase thermo-syphon heat exchangers,” says Jason Venning, country manager at FIMER Australia. “These are totally passive and provide high performance with a low-pressure drop, with an efficiency equivalent to liquid cooling and with the simplicity of an air-cooled system. This enables the inverters to be installed in high temperatures while still providing reliable performance.”

For more information, visit fimer.com/anz.

FIMER’s PVS980-58 central inverters onsite at Abra Base Metals Mine in Western Australia.

The hybrid thermal and renewable power station at Abra Base Metals Mine.

President Biden visits Ingeteam’s US plant

In August 2022, the US Government announced the Inflation Reduction Act, a landmark legislation passed by Congress that commits A$520 billion into programs and funding to accelerate the North American nation’s transition to net zero.

The legislation is a win for global emissions reduction and the health of the planet. However, given the size of the US economy, there are major ramifications as the worldwide renewables landscape has become more competitive.

For a nation such as Australia that harbours achievable ambitions to be a clean energy superpower, it is essential to enact a coordinated response to the Inflation Reduction Act to ensure it doesn’t get left behind.

To help combat increased renewable energy competition from the US, the Federal Government committed $4 billion to the advancement of Australia’s electrification and growth of the domestic hydrogen industry in the 2023-2024 Federal Budget. This big spending on clean energy is a direct response to the Inflation Reduction Act

Benefits for US-based companies

For international companies with a renewables footprint in the US, the Inflation Reduction Act is a shot in the arm for research and manufacturing. Spanish company Ingeteam, which has 5000 employees stationed in 21 countries around the world, has been boosted by government support in the US.

Ingeteam is a leader in renewable generation across wind, solar and hydroelectric; in energy storage solutions; in green hydrogen; and in the electric vehicle charging space. The company has operated in the US since 2008, and has a manufacturing plant in Milwaukee, in the northern state of Wisconsin.

The site has manufactured more than 4000 generators for the wind energy sector and supplied 4GW of solar and energy storage inverters for the US market. An additional 1.1GW of awarded contracts for solar and energy storage are in execution stages and scheduled to be installed by the end of Q1 2024, totalling more than 5.1GW of utility scale installed capacity for the company.

In August 2023, US President Joe Biden toured the Ingeteam plant during a visit to Milwaukee. He met with staff and viewed the

processing facility where generators for the wind energy sector, solar and energy storage inverters, and EV chargers are produced.

During the visit, Biden was welcomed by Alex Belaustegui, Ingeteam’s corporate development director; David Solé, Ingeteam’s managing director; and Mark Obradovich, Ingeteam’s US director.

Upscaling EV charger production

Thanks to incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act, US orders of wind turbine generators from Ingeteam are expected to double in the next year.

In May 2023, Ingeteam announced its Milwaukee plant will manufacture electric vehicle chargers for the North American market. This plan is a direct response to the US Government’s announcement to develop a national network of 500,000 electric vehicle chargers.

Ingeteam’s production capacity of EV chargers in the US will exceed 13,000 units per year. These chargers will range from 7.5kW to 420kW and production is expected to commence in the first half of 2024. For more information, visit ingeteam.com.

US President Joe Biden recently toured Ingeteam’s Milwaukee manufacturing facility in support of the nation’s commitment to clean energy.

US President Joe Biden touring Ingeteam’s plant in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Preparing EVs for maximum efficiency

As the sixth-largest country on Earth by area, Australia is a sprawling land mass comprising many climate zones. From the desert centre and tropical north, to the snowfields and temperate east and south, it is a nation of extremes with seasonal variations.

Due to these environmental contrasts, there are varying conditions in which Australia’s electric vehicles operate. At the highest and lowest ends of the temperature scale, it can be essential to precondition vehicles prior to use for maximum performance, energy efficiency and driver comfort.

Preconditioning allows users to pre-heat or pre-cool an EV’s cabin before each journey, ensuring less of the vehicle’s stored energy is used for these functions. By preconditioning an EV while it is still plugged in, it ensures power for these functions is used from the grid or solar, increasing the vehicle’s range when hitting the road.

In winter, preheating an EV refers to the use of external power from the charger – or the power supply from the car battery if need be – to heat the battery before starting the car so it reaches optimal discharge working temperature.

The battery life of EVs is shortened in winter, and in extreme cold vehicles can be difficult to start. Therefore, the battery needs to be preheated to power the car.

The heating technology of an EV battery varies according to the vehicle. A battery comprises the positive electrode, separator, negative electrode, organic electrolyte and battery shell.

The organic electrolyte conducts ions between the positive and negative electrodes of the lithium battery, which is the guarantee for the lithium-ion battery to obtain the advantages of high voltage and high-energy density so the low viscosity of the electrolyte makes for the movement of lithium ions. If the viscosity is high, it will form internal resistance, thereby preventing the movement of lithium ions.

When the temperature is low, preheating the battery can increase activity of the electrolyte inside it with the change in temperature so the charging and discharging performance is improved. This preheating helps meet the power demand of the vehicle.

When the temperature is below -25 degrees – not an issue in Australia, but certainly in parts of Europe, Asia and North America – the lithium electrons freeze, resulting in failure to start the car. In such cases, vehicle charge time is

Preconditioning an electric vehicle prior to use ensures it is ready to roll in all conditions, which reduces battery stress and range anxiety, writes Gavin Dennett.

An ATESS EVD-40S EV charger installed in the UK.

extended to warm the battery in preparation for use.

The most common EV preheating systems are PTC preheating, electrothermal film preheating, cold preheating, phase change material preheating, heat pipe preheating, thermal and AC preheating. No matter what kind of preheating system is used, the most important aspect is electrothermal conversion.

Most EV users charge their car during the off-peak time at home, usually at night. In some winter cases, when drivers are in a hurry to use their car in the morning, they have to spend time warming it up. There are vehicles available with pre-heating functions, however if that power comes from the battery, it can reduce battery life and create range anxiety.

However, if the preheating can be sourced via the EV charger, the battery is preserved. This function is available in all Shenzhen ATESS Power Technology Co (ATESS) EV chargers available in Australia.

Founded in 2017, ATESS is a global supplier of solar energy storage and EV charging solutions. The company offers a range of EV chargers at the forefront of technological advancements.

When users charge overnight with ATESS, the EV charger remains connected to the car to reach the set preheating time, and the energy required for preheating comes from the charger. The preheating power for the in-car environment is also provided by the charger, which improves user experience. For more information, visit atesspower.com.

The ATESS EVD-60-160D EV charger.

“Preconditioning allows users to pre-heat or pre-cool an EV’s cabin before each journey, ensuring less stored energy is used. By preconditioning an EV while it is still plugged in ensures power is used from the grid or solar, increasing the vehicle’s range.”

The portfolio of ATESS EV chargers, which ranges from 7kW to 400kW, and has AC and DC charging stations for home and public applications.

Servicing EVs: Bringing mechanics up to speed

course, and now we strip down a few vehicles and do training in EV conversion projects. We are also doing diagnosis, repairs, fault-finding, disassembling and reassembling – fully stripping down and rebuilding individual components, then putting them back together.”

For mechanics and auto electricians who don’t have experience working with electric vehicles, the Skillbuild course is opening a world of learning in a rapidly evolving segment.

With Australia’s uptake of electric vehicles accelerating, the nation is facing a shortfall of skilled auto electricians, mechanics and repairers who are adept at working on what’s under EV bonnets.

For auto electricians who were trained on traditional combustion engine vehicles, the working components of an EV are different to what they are accustomed. Identifying a hole in this clean energy space, Albury-based national registered training organisation Skillbuild is offering students EV training courses.

The course is for auto electricians and mechanics who want to depower and repower hybrid and electric vehicles. Delivered by electrician and heavy diesel mechanic Neil Beveridge, the Skillbuild course offers education in EV charging, maintenance and servicing.

The course covers safely depowering hybrid and electric vehicles, servicing and repowering the battery system. It allows participants to access manufacturers’ manuals and work on an EV.

“We discovered there are not enough technicians in Australia,” says Beveridge.

“In conjunction with an overseas company, we have developed virtual reality and augmented reality, with online training, to get in the market so students can get their head around the way EVs work.

“In 2025, EVs are going to become bidirectional compatible so they can feed homes and feed back into the grid, which bleeds into renewable energy training.

“With auto technicians on the EVs, we started with the repower-depower safety

“Coming from a mechanical background, I know mechanics have been left unchecked in the industry in regards to upskilling,” says Beveridge. “Vehicles have changed so much since they were first invented. Pistons still go up and down, fuel goes in and burns, but we have tweaked a few systems, and in many respects, mechanics have been left to figure it out.

“However, this is a revolutionary change. We no longer have the engine and fuel, and are dealing with electronics, which is a whole new field for mechanics.”

Initial interest in the Skillbuild EV training course has been from the private market, predominantly car enthusiasts with a thirst for knowledge on how EVs work.

“These people are saying, ‘We don’t know

Huge numbers of new electric vehicles are hitting Australia’s roads, but the nation’s auto electricians and mechanics currently lack the know-how to service them. Skillbuild is addressing this problem, writes Gavin Dennett.

Skillbuild students receive electric vehicle safety theory at the Sydney Training Centre.

Neil Beveridge delivering safety training for auto technicians at Skillbuild’s Sydney Training Centre.

what we don’t know, and we don’t know what we need to know.’ We are basically trying to teach them to be pseudo electricians.”

From a legislative standpoint, there are still many grey areas to work through.

“Governments are still trying to tweak legislation to figure out what works,” says Beveridge. “There are existing conflicting rules and regulations with regards to if the electrics are on a house, unqualified people would not be able to touch it. But because it is on a vehicle, mechanics can touch it unrestricted. This is mainly because when EV standards were written, voltages were not as high. But things have changed.

“It’s a slightly messy area at the moment that we’re trying to navigate our way through. It is a bit of a minefield. Government has been really receptive to change, but they are a bit slow to move because when they commit, they want to ensure they commit to the right thing.”

The problem facing the industry is that EVs are already on the road and are coming to Australia every week. Therefore, more of this training is needed to bring the auto industry up to speed.

“We do training for electricians with EV charging, and are already doing training for auto technicians on how to diagnose problems, repairs, fault-finding and depower-repower, but there is enormous potential to roll it out in a more systematic fashion,” says Beveridge. “When policy catches up, the expectation is it will be part of the learning curriculum for mechanics.

“The rollout of EVs is still in its early stage in Australia, but with plans across the nation to increase fleets during the next few years, it’s going to be an interesting navigation. There are thousands of mechanics across the country who are going to need to know this stuff.

“This is the first time we have had vehicles and homes meshed. Some of these vehicles are capable of powering a house, yet you have a mechanic who has to repair it because it’s on wheels. An electrician usually deals with things that plug into a house, with all their standards. It’s going to be a really interesting hybrid between the two industries.”

For more information, visit skillbuild.edu.au.

GEN24 Primo

Testing EV battery cells in the Skillbuild workshop.

Maximising the lifespan of clean energy resources

Dynamic Ratings is an Australian owned and operated business that provides condition monitoring products and services to the renewables industry. Based in Melbourne, it has been in operation for 25 years, and has a team of industry experts internationally, with offices in the US and UK.

The company’s global reach helps it leverage experience and cutting-edge technology to produce solutions for the evolving needs of its customers. It is passionate about extending the life of renewable assets, and by utilising real-time data, it provides awareness of high-voltage electrical equipment, including transformers, circuit breakers and switchgear.

According to Dynamic Ratings, condition-based monitoring is a way for renewable assets to increase workplace safety; reduce unexpected failures; reduce unplanned outages; gain visibility of asset conditions; increase load and overall safety; and nurse aged or critical assets.

Wind and solar energy operations have long been confined to a short design life based on current technologies. In many cases, decisions about what to do with assets come down to the economics of long-term maintenance costs and equipment failure risks. Condition-based monitoring

technologies help renewable generation providers offset risk, extend asset life and reduce the cost of repowering a facility.

The amount of renewable assets connected to the grid has quadrupled during the past decade, and the renewable-energy sector is a lucrative space for investors. Dynamic Ratings aims to shift the status quo of operations and maintenance (O&M) providers, system designers and energy users towards a culture of maximising the lifespan of electrical assets.

With wind and solar energy operations working within the parameters of a 15-20year design life based on turbine and panel technologies, power purchase agreements (PPA) structures and tax incentives, decisions to repower or dismantle renewable energy operations often come down to the economics of long-term maintenance costs and equipment failure risks.

By implementing condition-based maintenance technologies into renewable generation, energy providers can offset risk, extend the life of assets, and reduce the cost of repowering a facility.

Best practices for O&M indicate that investments in proactive maintenance are key. Continuous monitoring systems are an efficient means of collecting data to achieve maintenance goals and keep a power plant

running as efficiently as possible.

Online monitoring systems not only provide critical data for assessing the long-term health of electrical equipment, they reduce downtime and lower maintenance costs. Online monitoring allows operators to deploy condition-based maintenance and direct resources to known issues rather than introducing potential problems by performing unnecessary work. It also reduces unplanned outages and maintenance durations, keeping power and revenue flowing.

In solar applications, the cost of vegetation maintenance and keeping PV panels clean can account for as much as one-third of

Australian company Dynamic Ratings is helping the renewables industry extend the life of its assets through real-time monitoring and data.

Through the use of real-time data, Dynamic Ratings limits unplanned outages and increases asset load and safety.

O&M costs. Wind facilities require more maintenance and repair activities, whereas the maintenance requirements for solar tend to lean towards site maintenance. This can lead to the idea that solar O&M costs are less than wind when viewed on a kWh basis, however their electrical maintenance costs are similar and provide equal benefits to extending the life of equipment.

Renewable applications are still the new kids on the block when it comes to the electrical world. In a system designed for stepping down power from transmission voltages to distribution levels, data is available to determine the useful life calculations for utility transformers. Absent of rich data sets, it becomes important to begin gathering this data early in the life of a renewable asset.

Asset owners have increasingly relied on independent service providers or selfperforming maintenance work, however the cost of maintenance contracts has increased. As a result, investors are increasingly looking for wind and solar farms that have implemented computerised maintenance and asset management systems.

There is still some resistance to implement digital solutions as asset owners struggle to justify up-front capital costs. But this reluctance should be eased by considering the loss of production and increased maintenance costs associated with traditional methods. By allowing an electrical asset to run to failure, the risk of downtime is higher than maintenance guided by an online monitoring system. When planned outages are taken, there are lower logistical costs since parts are not being expedited. Production losses can be mitigated by performing work when generation is at low points and overtime costs can be avoided.

In other industries, the business case for online monitoring can be made based on the issue of an unexpected loss of power impacting production and costing equipment downtime. Similar value propositions can be made for renewable assets. Implementing condition-based maintenance powered by continuous monitoring systems is a cost-effective and proven solution to reduce O&M costs, extend asset life, improve planning cycles, and keep

reducing unexpected failures.

renewable-energy facilities online longer. All these elements will shift the culture of renewable-energy operations and maintenance practices towards longevity and sustainability, which is needed to address the gap in renewable generation demand and production capacity. For more information, visit dynamicratings.com.

Helping local businesses achieve net zero

Australia’s Green Energy Group is committed to assisting organisations achieve their decarbonisation and sustainability goals, writes Emily Skehill.

Australian businesses are taking great interest in decarbonisation opportunities, with increasingly ambitious commitments across sustainability, energy transformation, and environmental, social and governance (ESC).

“Beyond our sustainability community, it is sometimes hard to gauge the business world’s commitment to meeting climate challenges,” says Green Energy Group CEO Luke Konynenburg. “At the recent Australian Institute of Company Directors’ Climate Governance Forum, there were 1000 directors in the room. I was blown away by how laser-focused they were on driving environmental and sustainability outcomes for their organisations.”

Decarbonisation is a race to adapt. Some businesses will pick up pace after receiving a shocking energy bill, or experiencing tough energy or fuel contract negotiations. Others will be challenged by leadership, major tender scope requirements, board commitments and competitors to

account for carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions.

Setting benchmarks

Whatever the motivation to adapt to decarbonisation, the first step should be an energy audit to set a baseline.

“For so long, energy was cheap and didn’t significantly impact business decisions,” says Green Energy & Carbon Management (GECM) CEO Caroline Bennett. “With increasing energy prices and decarbonisation goals becoming a requirement, the best place to start is to work out your business energy consumption and onsite opportunities so you can build a clear and actionable plan.”

The team at GECM is passionate about measuring and managing energy, and helping businesses to reduce costs, improve productivity and achieve emissions reduction targets.

With a clear picture of energy consumption from a baseline benchmark audit, digitisation of energy management becomes a pillar of

most strategic plans. The GECM Productivity Suite digitises onsite energy consumption and reveals details needed to plan and prioritise transformative investment opportunities and adopt demand response strategies.

A roadmap for action: switch, shift and store

A tailor-made roadmap – designed with GECM’s Energy Efficiency Council-certified energy management systems (EnMS) advisors – puts business goals at the centre of a company’s energy transformation. It comprises three components:

Switch: With gas prices soaring, the stage is set for the electrification of homes and businesses across Australia. While switching to renewables is an obvious option, many households and businesses can reduce energy quickly by focusing on draught-proofing and insulating their building, and then electrifying gas heating appliances.

“It is urgent we start putting more effort into identifying and implementing

opportunities in homes and businesses to reduce our need for energy from far afield,” says Tristan Edis, director – analysis and advisory, Green Energy Markets.

Easy switches include upgrading to heat pump or solar hot water, and reverse cycle air-conditioning. These upgrades can be done by local qualified installers, making them accessible options for people wanting to reduce energy bills.

Many of these upgrades attract government incentive cashbacks through Green Energy Trading and the National Carbon Bank of Australia, allowing installers to offer upfront discounts to customers for gas unit replacements and electric unit upgrades.

For businesses with a more complex net-zero roadmap, the NSW and Victorian energy efficiency schemes offer measurement and verification methods, which allow engineering projects to create energy efficiency certificates for validated emissions reductions or energy savings.

Shift: With summer approaching and the shift in weather patterns from La Nina to El Nino, concerns about grid resilience and reliability during heatwaves means strategies targeting peak demand reduction are important.

Green Energy Markets director Ric Brazzale is pleased the National Carbon Bank of Australia created the first Peak Reduction Certificates (PRCs) in November 2022.

“We’ve been lobbying for a long time, as part of the Energy Savings Industry Association, for a scheme to support reduction in peak demand,” he says. “A new reverse-cycle air-conditioning unit uses half the energy of many of the older standard units currently in homes and businesses in NSW.”

Customers have smarter appliances and supporting apps to enable them to become flexible consumers, including small shifts such as timing an electric water heating cycle to match rooftop solar generation, or opting for climate responsive air-conditioning controls. With the right tools and new strategies, customers can become smart energy managers.

Store: Smart energy management empowers businesses and households to capture the value in managing temperatures, timing and storing cheap renewable energy when it is abundant to use at a later stage when demand is high. There is a range of chemical battery options on the market that can do this job, and increased adoption of electric vehicles adds more solar storage into the system.

Water heaters are also a smart energy management system. They can be thought of as water batteries, soaking up onsite solar electricity and converting it to heat for discharging as a hot shower. Air-conditioning and refrigeration can also be varied in

a similar way for pre-cooling or chilling during peak solar generation.

Carbon offsets

When switch, shift and store options in your roadmap have been implemented, there will still be lingering carbon emissions to account for to get to net zero. Businesses can address this by buying government-managed 100 per cent renewable GreenPower and carbon offsets.

Green Energy Exchange/ACXargyle is the largest independent provider of GreenPower and verifiable carbon offsets, giving choice and confidence to businesses that are limited in options to directly tackle energy efficiency and carbon emissions.

The Green Energy Group is accelerating decarbonisation and creating pathways to transform the future. As a group of five companies – Green Energy & Carbon Management, Green Energy Trading, National Carbon Bank of Australia, Green Energy Markets and Green Energy Exchange – it has the breadth and depth to serve Australia’s growing electrification, decarbonisation and transition needs.

Green Energy Trading will be at AllEnergy Australia on 25-26 October, 2023, at stand GG119.

For more information about navigating the journey to net zero, visit greenenergygroup. com.au/navigatenetzero.

The five companies comprising the Green Energy Group.

Stable backup power for Australian homes

runs off a LiFePO4 battery, which is designed for at least a decade of use. It is built with dust and water resistance, is quiet to operate, and comes with a battery management system (BMS) that prevents short circuits, overcharging and other potential hazards.

The EP760 is easy to install and use. It doesn’t require residential rewiring and can be stacked on a floor rather than being wall mounted. BLUETTI also offers an onsite installation service.

Founded in Las Vegas in 2019 by Wonder Law and James Ray, energy storage solutions company BLUETTI produces minimalist portable power stations for everyday living.

Since the release of BLUETTI’s first two models – the EB150 and EB240 – the US company is committed to developing convenient energy storage products. It now has a portfolio of devices, offering indoor and outdoor power backups at home and on the move.

“Everything started with a simple idea: energy independence for every family,” says Ray. “From that single idea, we’ve built a line-up of solar power storage products for adventurers and all kinds of off-grid lives.

“When designing new products, we use the highest quality, longest-lasting materials available. We choose materials that stand out and outlast.”

In four years since the company’s inception, BLUETTI has expanded its reach to more than 100 countries, including Australia. In 2022, it released its first modular home energy storage system, the EP600, in Europe, which is to be followed by the upcoming release of the EP760 home backup system in Australia.

BLUETTI EP760 modular energy storage system

The EP760 shares its modular design with the EP600 and has a flexible capacity range of 9.9kWh to 19.8kWh, with B500 battery packs, which allows users to customise

their home backup power.

Delivering up to 7600W of single-phase power in grid or off-grid mode, the EP760 system can charge almost anything plugged in and protect homes from power outages.

The EP760 operates at 240V, and the 7600W delivery can power household appliances such as refrigerators, heaters and microwaves, as well as charging power tools and electric vehicles.

In the event of an emergency or power outage, it is designed to provide seamless power supply, taking less than 10 milliseconds to switch from grid power to battery power, keeping household devices running without interruption.

Saving on electricity bills

The EP760 integrates with existing or future residential solar systems, supporting up to 9000W of solar charging. The battery system stores excess solar power generated during the day and uses it when the sun isn’t shining. This means users can depend on stable solar power at all times of the day and in varying weather. Excess solar power can also be sold back to the grid for additional income.

For residents who don’t have rooftop solar, the EP760 can be charged via the grid during off-peak times of the day and then provide low-cost power during peak times.

Ten-year warranty

The BLUETTI EP760 is built to last, coming with a 10-year warranty. The unit

“BLUETTI will continue to innovate the renewable energy world with new products and new concepts while keeping true to a dream that started with one battery, two friends and the community,” says Law. For more information, visit bluettipower.com.au.

Energy storage solutions company BLUETTI will soon release a new residential modular backup power system Down Under.

BLUETTI is helping give Australian families energy independence.

The streamlined BLUETTI EP760 modular energy storage system is quiet to operate and comes with a 10-year warranty.

The BLUETTI EP760 can power household appliances such as washers, dryers, refrigerators, heaters and microwaves.

Solis inverters maintain global ranking

Chinese solar inverter company Solis has recently been ranked the world’s third-largest manufacturer in the category by international information and analytics company S&P Global for the second consecutive year.

Solis was established in 2005 and provides clean energy solutions for homes, businesses and large-scale power plants. It currently has annual production capacity of 80GW.

This latest news builds on high-profile accolades for the company in the past 18 months, including the “Top Inverter Brand 2023” seal in Belgium, the Netherlands and South Africa from German-based firm EUPD Research.

This is the eighth consecutive year Solis has been recognised by EUPD Research, based on 100,000 interviews across more than 50 countries.

“I am delighted Solis has been ranked so highly for another year and maintained our position as the world’s third-largest inverter manufacturer,” says Sandy Woodward, Solis’ general manager, Europe and South Africa.

“I’m particularly proud of our progress during 2022 in the energy storage inverter segment, in which Solis achieved year-on-year growth of more than 500 per cent, accounting for 18 per cent of our total operating revenue.

“This remarkable expansion can be

Akcome’s PPAs helping businesses save

Founded in China in 2006, Akcome Group is a solar manufacturer integrating design, production, sales and service of PV modules and mounting systems. The company operates in more than 30 countries and employs more than 6000 employees.

In 2014, Akcome registered in Queensland and has since serviced the Australian market, focusing on solar power plant construction, project management, and operations and maintenance. The company also distributes the Akcome Tier-1 PV module and mounting system  Australia wide.

A hallmark of Akcome’s offerings is its power purchase agreement (PPA), where the company arranges the design, regulatory approvals, finance and installation of a solar energy system on a client’s property, usually with no investment by the client.

As part of this financial agreement, Akcome provides power generated to the host client at a fixed rate, typically lower than power purchased from the electricity grid.

For sites wanting to enter a PPA with Akcome, the process involves these simple steps:

• Akcome provides a solar consultation

attributed to our dedicated team of more than 4500 people across all the major continents, as well as our high brand recognition, strong channel competitiveness and deep commitment to research and development.”

In Australia, Solis continues its progression in the large-scale solar industry, having recently provided its S5-GC50K inverters for the 4.4MW Northern Power Station Road Solar Farm in Port Augusta, South Australia. Given the solar farm’s location in the desert, the inverters deliver maximum output in temperatures that can exceed 40 degrees Celsius.

For more information, visit solisinverters.com.au.

that includes a site survey and viability analysis.

• Client signs the PPA.

• Akcome designs, installs and connects the solar system to the utility grid at no upfront cost to the client.

• Site owner pays for the power they consume, which is around 25 per cent less than charged by the power company supplying off the grid.

• Akcome monitors and maintains the system.

• After 15 or 20 years, the client can sign a new agreement or the system is removed at no cost. For more information, visit akcome.com.au.

Solis S5-GC50K inverters at the 4.4MW Northern Power Station Road Solar Farm in Port Augusta, South Australia.

Helping installers navigate regulations

The new myCEC service can help the solar industry keep on top of regulations and reduce compliance concerns, writes Robbie Nichols from the Clean Energy Council.

In Australia, thousands of solar installers are investigated or audited for compliance issues every year. It costs them time and energy and can result in serious outcomes. However, the Clean Energy Council’s new myCEC service can help the solar industry navigate regulations and reduce compliance issues.

PV solar and battery installers need to keep up with a lot. As a third-generation electrician with more than 30 years’ experience in the electrical industry, and more than 10 years as a solar installer, I have seen this first-hand.

In 2007, when the Clean Energy Council began administering the solar accreditation program, there were less than 400 accredited installers working in the industry, who set up around 3400 systems that year. Products and configurations were complex, but were being designed and installed by a passionate, experienced, professional and relatively small cohort. The standards at the time were reasonably clear and simple, as were the regulations.

Fast-forward to 2023 and there are more than 9000 accredited installers in Australia, who are installing more than 300,000 systems each year. Systems are now bigger and more complex, integrating

everything from solar and batteries, to heat-pump hot water systems and electric vehicles.

Not only do installers deal with state electrical bodies and inspectors (in some states) but also the Clean Energy Council, Clean Energy Regulator, state programs, Distributed Energy Register (DER), New Energy Technology Consumer Code (NETCC) and network providers. During the past five years, we have seen numerous changes to the standards installers need to comply with; a new National Construction Code and the creation and implementation of new standard AS/NZS5139; a new accreditation code of conduct; the move from the Approved Solar Retailer program to the NETCC; an update to vocational training units; and in South Australia, new dynamic export limit regulations.

All of this is necessary because solar and battery systems provide an essential service, are high-value purchases subsidised by governments, are potentially dangerous and are developing rapidly. Nevertheless, it’s understandable that with so many rules and regulations, compliance among installers is not perfect.

The Clean Energy Regulator conducts audits and inspections. While unsafe

non-compliance issues are discovered in around 1.5 per cent of cases, substandard non-compliance issues have been on the rise and occurred in 25 per cent of cases in 2021.

Installers are trying to keep on top of regulatory developments alongside the never-ending list of administrative, marketing and accounting tasks involved in running their own businesses. They are not solely to blame for non-compliance issues. Shortcomings from other stakeholders in the industry can trigger installer compliance errors, including poor instructions from training providers; incorrect designs and quotes from retailers; poor communication from regulatory bodies; and outdated interpretations from inspectors.

So what is the solution? The answer starts with technical education and support for everyone involved in the industry.

A majority of the solar installer industry wants to do the job right and avoid time-consuming non-compliance issues. Most problems arise from a lack of knowledge or a misunderstanding rather than negligence.

At the Clean Energy Council, we believe opening the information available to the

The Clean Energy Council’s Technical Services team is helping solar installers adhere to Australia’s regulatory framework.

whole industry and providing better education and support is key to fixing the issues. That’s why we have launched our myCEC subscription, which builds on the knowledge and services developed in the 15-plus years we’ve been running the accreditation program, to give industry the tools it needs to keep on top of standards and regulations.

The myCEC subscription features:

• Experts on your team: The Clean Energy Council’s Technical Services team includes experienced accredited installers who still have their boots on the roof as well as sitting on numerous

committees and working groups relating to regulation. They are available on email to answer your questions.

• Supercharge your skills: Our Toolbox Talks are short videos to help users get up to speed on tricky technical topics. Our Advice Docs are deep-dive guidelines on specific standards that give you all the details you need. LearnLAB gives you access to a range of courses with CPD points available.

• Business essentials: Simple templates and checklists to ensure you are covered on specific jobs, plus a maintained list of regulatory updates so you can check on developments. We also have exclusive offers on insurance and workwear.

• Feedback opportunities: Have your say on the issues that matter to you through regular polls, industry opportunities and our Industry Reference Group. The Clean Energy Council wants to raise standards across the industry – not just on design and installation – so the myCEC subscription is available to anyone. Whether you are a salesperson looking to learn more about technical aspects of the job, an inspector who needs detailed interpretations of relevant standards, or you want industry updates and relevant offers, myCEC has tools that can help. Here are some current issues to check out on myCEC:

• Earthing: This is the biggest non-compliance issue the CER

deals with. We have short videos addressing earthing conductor sizing and relevant standards, as well as an advice document on commissioning.

• Safety: There have been serious non-compliance issues regarding safety recently. SafeWork (NSW) has worked with us on a CPD course available in LearnLAB. You can also download a battery risk assessment template to tick off on jobs.

• Flexible exports: Although this is only currently a requirement in South Australia, SolarQuote’s Anthony Bennett recently said, “This issue is coming to a renewables-heavy grid near you soon and it will be a nightmare for all concerned if we don’t get it right.” SA Power Networks have worked with us to develop a CPD course available in the LearnLAB.

We want the myCEC subscription to help industry get on top of regulations and avoid compliance issues. If there is a topic you want to see covered, or ways in which the service could provide better value, let us know at cleanenergycouncil. org.au/mycec-feedback.

Get expert support from Robbie Nichols and the Clean Energy Council’s Technical Services team with a myCEC subscription. Find out more at cleanenergycouncil.org.au/ mycec.

Robbie Nichols from the Clean Energy Council’s Technical Services team.

The myCEC service is raising standards across the solar industry.

Hoymiles enhancing rooftop solar output

Microinverter company

Hoymiles is expanding its reach across Australia, helping customers optimise their solar panel performance.

Cby expanding across Australia to support the nation’s solar system suppliers and installers.

Hoymiles has been supplying solar

PV systems parts internationally since 2012, and the public company is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. It has established strong relationships with distributors in Victoria and is keen to expand its reach Australia-wide.

Hoymiles’ 1-in-1, 2-in-1 and 4-in-1 microinverters are ideal for Australia’s sunny climate, helping customers to embark on their clean energy journey. A microinverter is one of the main components of a solar photovoltaic system. It converts direct current (DC) energy generated by individual solar panels into alternating current (AC) power.

Microinverter technology is a trusted way to get the most

Right: All Hoymiles microinverters enable module-level data to be uploaded to S-Miles Cloud, the company’s monitoring platform, which allows users to monitor the performance of a PV solar system.

Opposite page: Hoymiles’ sleek single-phase microinverters that help maximise the performance of PV solar systems in all conditions.

out of a solar PV system. The right microinverter can optimise individual solar panel usage, compared to string inverters where panels are connected in a series and the performance of the entire string is limited by the least powerful panel.

This limitation isn’t specific to a panel malfunction. A badly performing solar panel can be the result of debris or shade that blocks sunlight from a section of paneling.

Microinverters are installed for individual panels (1-in-1), pairs of panels (2-in-1) or groups of four panels (4-in-1), all which produce a high standard of energy production. If one microinverter fails, it will not negatively impact the performance of the rest of the solar system.

Microinverters can be relied on for many years, and different configurations allow for installation flexibility and the easy addition of panels in the future.

Hoymiles’ microinverters never reach higher than 40V DC voltage on a rooftop. This low voltage protects users from potential fires while panels are in operation. This also presents less risk from electrical hazards during panel installation and maintenance.

The right microinverter can increase the overall efficiency of a solar panel system, and Hoymiles’ 1-in-1 and 2-in-1 offerings are ideal for a typical Australian roof.

The company’s 1-in-1 microinverter is a flexible

solar solution. It requires connection to just one solar panel, can be used across various applications, and has a maximum voltage of 60V.

The 2-in-1 microinverter can connect two solar panels at once, while still enabling module-level maintenance and management of the PV system by monitoring the power generation of each panel.

All Hoymiles microinverters enable module-level data to be uploaded to S-Miles Cloud, the company’s monitoring platform which allows users to monitor the performance of the solar system as a whole or individual panels, in real time, enabling swift identification of any issues.

The wiring method is simple on Hoymiles’ microinverters, usually only requiring plugging into a power outlet, which reduces installation time and risk. The failure rate of less than 0.18 per cent is lower than the industry average, and customers get access to 24/7 technical support, plus a 25-year product warranty.

Renewable Energy Training

Hoymiles is expanding its reach across Australia.

LONGi’s peak PV performance unveiled

At the Energy Next event in Sydney in July 2023, global solar technology company LONGi unveiled its latest PV modules for the Australian market: the residential and commercial Hi-MO 6 and utility Hi-MO 7, which the company says are game-changers for PV performance.

“It’s been a while since we launched a new product, but this is a pivotal moment for us,” says Daniel Lin, managing director at LONGi Solar Australia. “We are confident Hi-MO 6 and Hi-MO 7 will deliver the results our customers expect from our solutions.”

Hi-MO 6: Rooftop excellence

The Hi-MO 6 module features HPBC (Hybrid Passivated Back Contact) cell technology.

It has an average of 10 per cent higher yield from the same rooftop area compared to traditional PERC PV modules.

Through precise adjustments to the cell’s internal structure, HPBC technology enhances light absorption and photoelectric conversion capabilities, increasing module output power. It reaches cell efficiency of more than 25 per cent and module efficiency up to 23 per cent.

Hi-MO 6 performs in challenging conditions, generating energy volumes in high temperatures and low irradiation,

with minimal power degradation.

The Hi-MO 6 series features two categories – Explorer and Scientist – that cater to specific application scenarios. All modules in the series provide upgrades on previous models in terms of sleek appearance, performance and reliability.

Optimisation of photoelectric conversion capacity enhances the Hi-MO 6 performance, while full back welding technology in the HPBC cell improves module resistance to micro-cracking.

“The introduction of Hi-MO 6 is a response to market demands and is testament to relentless research and development,” says Brett Robinson, national sales manager at LONGi Solar Australia. “Hi-MO 6 meets the needs of Australian customers with high-efficiency outputs, ultra-reliability and 25-year product and performance warranties.”

Hi-MO 7: Utility performance

The Hi-MO 7 is a new-generation, highefficiency module designed for the utility solar market. The module deploys LONGi’s HPDC (Hybrid Passivated Dual-Junction Cell) cell technology, which harnesses the power of n-type silicon wafers.

HPDC is a bifacial dual-junction cell produced using hybrid passivation technology.

It is an upgrade from HPC cell technology and features high and low junctions with different passivation technologies, effectively reducing carrier recombination and enhancing power generation capacity.

“With lower performance degradation, optimised cell structure and improved temperature coefficient, HPDC cells represent a significant advancement in LONGi’s solar technology offerings”, says Rayyan Hasan, key account manager at LONGi Solar Australia.

Hi-MO 7 comes in standard M10 72c module size, delivering power output up to 590W. Its module efficiency is 22.8 per cent.

Suitable for high-albedo and high-temperature scenarios, Hi-MO 7 is optimised for peak performance in challenging environments – with minimal degradation over time – making it ideal for Australia’s harsh climate.

“Hi-MO 7 is our flagship product for the Australian utility market,” says Hasan. “With a global production capacity of 30GW for 2023, and 80GW for 2024, we know it is the ideal PV solution for many of the upcoming large-scale solar projects across the country.”

For more information, visit longi.com/au.

Global solar technology company LONGi has released two high-performance PV modules that are suited to Australia’s harsh climate.

The LONGi Hi-MO 6 series is built for residential and commercial high performance in all conditions.

The LONGi Hi-MO 6 Scientist module.

Fronius doubles its Austrian production facility

Photovoltaic inverter manufacturer Fronius is expanding its production facility in Sattledt, Austria, to keep pace with increasing global demand for its products.

For more than 30 years, the company’s goal has been to operate sustainably, with ecological, economic and social responsibility at the forefront of its operations, including in Australia.

“Fronius has a strong bond with the Australian and New Zealand markets, with more than 500,000 inverters installed since opening our subsidiary doors in 2010,” says Fronius Australia managing director Mariella Doppelbauer.

“The growth of our production facility is important to our customers, hence why we invested 187 million Euros ($314 million) in 2022 and a further 230 million Euros ($386 million) in 2023 to enhance our supply into the market.”

Upon completion of the site expansion in Sattledt, its footprint will increase by almost 100 per cent, with a 70 per cent increase in production area, growing from 41,000

square metres to 69,000 square metres.

Through this expansion, Fronius’ production capacity will grow by 65 per cent. By the end of 2023, it is expected 52,000 new inverters will be ready to serve the global market every month.

“We are excited to be nearing completion of our expansion project,” says Doppelbauer. “We believe our Australian and New Zealand installers will be ‘over the moon’ having this process ready heading into 2024.”

With additional capacity at the Austrian site, further strategies relating to supply and the production chain have been improved to satisfy the company’s ambitious growth targets.

“Our internal storage capacity has tripled to ensure we can handle thousands of pallets coming and going from our facility each day, as well as the millions of components that move monthly,” says Doppelbauer.

“Additionally, the picking process aims to achieve 25 per cent more packages daily. We have opened more production

lines and integrated more means of automation throughout.”

Fronius is committed to maintaining and enhancing its dedication to quality as it ramps up production worldwide.

“Fronius takes quality and longevity very seriously,” says Doppelbauer. “Even with increased output, our testing centre has not had to compromise. Every one of our inverters spends two-thirds of its time on the test bench. This is the high standard associated with Fronius products.”

As part of the expansion of its production facility, Fronius is creating approximately 1300 new jobs. Additionally, 100 per cent of energy for production and the facility’s heating and cooling is generated through renewable sources.

“Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do,” says Doppelbauer. “We are proud we do things the right way and continue to strive towards our ‘24 hours of sun’ vision – a world powered by 100 per cent renewable energy.”

For more information, visit fronius.com/ en-au/australia.

The Fronius production facility in Sattledt, Austria.

Solar company Fronius is expanding its European production site to keep pace with growing international demand for its clean energy products.

Next-level power and efficiency

JA Solar has released its next-generation module, the DeepBlue 4.0 Pro.

Photovoltaic company JA Solar has recently released its latest n-type module, the DeepBlue 4.0 Pro, which is based on a new size of nextgeneration rectangular silicon wafer.

The module adapts cells cut from the silicon wafer size that was independently developed by JA Solar and features a long lifespan and low oxygen content. Combined with high-efficiency n-type passivation contact Bycium+ cell technology, the open-circuit voltage (Voc) of the cell reaches 725mV and the cell efficiency of mass production reaches 25.3 per cent.

The DeepBlue 4.0 Pro integrates Super Multi BusBar (SMBB) and high-density encapsulation technology to improve

quality and efficiency, enabling the power of the 72-cell module to reach 630W, with module efficiency exceeding 22.5 per cent.

The module delivers on power and reduces the working voltage of the new dimension by 7.6 per cent, which decreases balance-of-system (BOS) cost – which can be reduced by two per cent to 4.5 per cent – and hot-spot risk.

The 182mm x 199mm silicon wafers can keep a width of 1134mm while satisfying four mainstream module lengths: 1762mm, 2333mm, 2384mm and 2465mm through different cutting methods.

The DeepBlue 4.0 Pro can meet the demands of residential rooftop, commercial and industrial rooftop systems, as well as utility power plants.

Based on Bycium+ cell technology, DeepBlue 4.0 Pro has outstanding power generation, low degradation, improved temperature coefficient, high bifacial generation gain, and lower irradiance performance.

Compared to conventional p-type modules, one-year field test results from JA Solar and international certification company TÜV NORD demonstrate this n-type module has an electricity generation gain of 3.9 per cent.

It has also passed rigorous ageing tests, meeting the requirements of International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards.

JA Solar’s product design philosophy is “tailored to increase customer value”.

The DeepBlue 4.0 Pro delivers on this promise, with its high efficiency, high power, large power generation capacity and reliability.

Compared to p-type modules in different application scenarios, project types and installation methods, the levelised cost of energy (LCOE) cost of DeepBlue 4.0 Pro can be reduced by 2.5 per cent to six per cent. Compared to the original version of the n-type module, the BOS cost of DeepBlue 4.0 Pro can be reduced by 1.4 per cent to 2.8 per cent, and LCOE can be reduced by 0.7 per cent to 1.6 per cent. For more information, visit jasolar.com.

JA Solar’s DeepBlue 4.0 Pro is now available in Australia.

“JA Solar’s product design philosophy is ‘tailored to increase customer value’.

The DeepBlue 4.0 Pro delivers on this promise, with its high efficiency, high power, large power-generation capacity and reliability.”

Growatt unveils exclusive Australian inverter

Smart energy company Growatt has released its three-phase, battery-ready inverter for the Australian market.

Growatt has unveiled its latest threephase, battery-ready inverter, which has been designed for the Australian market. This cutting-edge inverter offers consumers flexibility and sustainability in harnessing solar energy by integrating solar panels with energy storage.

The smart energy company’s MOD 3000-10000TL3-XH inverter embraces the battery-ready concept by enabling installation as a standard on-grid inverter alongside solar panels. Then as a site’s energy needs grow, or when the user decides to transition to energy storage options, the system can be expanded by incorporating the existing ARK-XH battery or the upcoming APX-HV battery.

To cater to increasing demand for solar energy in Australia, Growatt has upgraded the hardware platform of the MOD-XH inverter. The input current capacity of solar panels has been increased to 16A, enabling integration with 500W+ solar panels and improved performance.

Despite its lightweight design, the MOD-XH inverter supports a maximum 10kW load capacity with a battery, delivering efficiency and power to meet the diverse needs of Australian consumers.

A strength of the MOD-XH inverter is its compatibility with Growatt’s award-winning ARK-XH batteries. Available in various capacities – ranging from 7.68kWh (three modules) to 25.6kWh (10 modules) – these batteries cater to a range of energy needs for residential and small commercial users.

Growatt will soon release the next generation in its battery offering, with the APX-HV soon to be approved for sale in Australia. This high-performance battery boasts independent charging and discharging for each module, incorporating soft-switching parallel connection technology.

With protection features and a weatherresistant IP66 rating, the APX-HV battery guarantees safe and flexible energy storage. It also has a capacity range of 5kWh to 30kWh.

In addition to energy storage solutions, the Growatt MOD-XH inverter integrates with the Growatt Thor 11/22AS-S/P threephase electric vehicle charger, showcasing the company’s innovative PV linkage. This integration optimises solar generation and self-consumption, reducing power costs for end-users.

The cohesive interaction between the PV inverter, battery and EV charger amplifies the overall energy efficiency of the system, presenting a smart energy solution.

Growatt is committed to a comprehensive smart-energy ecosystem, encompassing solar generation, energy storage, EV charging and smart power consumption. The company is committed to a greener future, in which everyone can play an active role in fostering a sustainable planet.

According to a recent report from global energy and renewables research and consultancy firm Wood Mackenzie, Growatt

is in the top four storage hybrid inverter suppliers worldwide, with 10 per cent market share in 2022.

“Since our entry into the residential storage inverter market in 2015, Growatt has established distinctive strengths and advantages in this sector, offering hybrid inverters with powerful functionalities, ultimate safety, high yields and user-friendly operation,” says Lisa Zhang, vice-president of marketing at Growatt. “Families and businesses across the globe have achieved higher solar consumption and greater energy independence.

“It is our vision to build the world’s largest intelligent sustainable energy ecosystem for humankind. This ecosystem will revolve around solar PV, energy storage and EV charging, supported by intelligent energy management tools.

“We strive to provide families with a sustainable lifestyle, businesses with high-return operations, and communities with alternative power sources, paving the way for a greener future.”

For more information, visit au.growatt.com.

Growatt’s MOD 3000-10000TL3-XH inverter is battery-ready for future energy storage needs.

Holmesglen’s solar carports revolutionise green learning

Melbourne’s Holmesglen Institute is taking its solar and EV training to another level, giving students valuable clean energy training.

Holmesglen Institute’s Renewable Centre of Excellence in Victoria is shaking things up with its fresh approach to green energy training. The centre recently launched a program that combines grid-connected, commercial-scale photovoltaic installations and electric vehicle charging stations.

The short training courses offer apprentices and upskilling electricians practical experience and hands-on renewables installation experience. The premium equipment at Holmesglen’s Moorabbin campus includes four EV chargers and six parking spaces, as well as a 150kW solar carport, featuring Fronius inverters and BYD lithium batteries.

This equipment and training provide trainees with practical exposure to larger

scale installations. The solar carport shows students different formats and requirements for commercial installations, and they gain confidence and experience with projects beyond residential installations, including systems with capacities up to 100kW.

The development of the Renewable Centre of Excellence was supported by the Victorian Government, and the four EV parking chargers are accessible to the public.

Future-proofing careers

The Green Economy is one of the Victorian Government’s engines for economic growth. The state has set an ambitious target to generate 95 per cent of energy from renewables by 2035.

With people increasingly considering alternative energy solutions to manage their power costs, electricians and apprentices are turning to Holmesglen for nationally accredited training to navigate the dynamic

solar landscape and future-proof their careers. Coupled with electric vehicles transforming from a niche sector to the mainstream in Australia, electricians require a broader skill set in 2023. Many of them realise they may soon be required to install a charging station and battery in every home.

Holmesglen Institute’s renewable energy senior instructor, David Tolliday, is an industry expert in clean energy. He regularly interacts with manufacturers, suppliers and installers to provide trainees with the latest skills and knowledge.

He has travelled around Australia to inspect standalone hybrid power systems, providing feedback and recommendations, and has also studied the latest technology in Germany and Spain.

Advocating for sustainability

Tolliday emphasises that trainees at Holmesglen − through practical experience and accreditation in solar and EV technologies − become advocates for sustainable energy, contributing to an eco-conscious future.

A diverse student body undertakes the institute’s short courses, with ages ranging from 22 to 69, reflecting the appeal and necessity of renewable energy skills training.

With industry support, trainees learn the latest PV and battery technologies from manufacturers such as Clenergy, Solis, SunPower, BYD, REC, PowerPlus and Fronius.

Holmesglen courses include gridconnected PV (GCPV), battery storage, standalone (off-grid) power systems and tailor-made industry training solutions.

Holmesglen is one of the largest TAFEs in Victoria and is considered the state’s premier training facility. It has expanded its facilities for nationally accredited solar course offerings since 2008.

“This underscores the vital role institutions such as Holmesglen play in advancing the green economy and supporting a transition towards a more sustainable future,” says Tolliday. For more information, visit holmesglen.edu.au.

EV parking charger and solar carport at Holmesglen Institute’s Renewable Centre of Excellence in Melbourne.

Clean Energy Market Wrap

Marco Stella from CORE Markets provides a snapshot of Australia’s clean energy market.

Large-scale Generation Certificate (LGC) market

The LGC market continues to grapple with prospects for the supply/demand balance in another year in which project delays and growing voluntary demand have kept the calculus interesting.

Overall pricing outcomes in the LGC market across July and August 2023 were stable/positive with the spot and Cal23 contracts experiencing the most volatility, while Cal24 and Cal25 contracts saw steady, yet modest, gains during the period.

The mid-section of the curve (Cal24 and Cal25) climbed across the middle of the year, which appears to suggest growing confidence that the often forecast, though never (to date) realised, blowout in LGC surplus will not materialise.

However, scars from the sharp drop in

prices experienced between December 2022 and February 2023 will serve as a sage reminder the LGC surplus has continued to grow despite how things have appeared during most of the past three years. At the time of writing, the forward curve is:

• LGC spots: $55.50.

• Cal23: $57.

• Cal24: $52.75.

• Cal25: $45.50.

Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) market

There was little of note in the STC market with the clearing house remaining in surplus throughout winter and the deficit climbing to a high of 4.3 million just after the Q2 surrender on 28 July, 2023. Signs of an uptick in creations in August have led some people to posit that a surplus could return in Q3 or Q4, depending on how significant the usual second half of the year bump in creation rates is.

Energy Efficiency Markets (VEECs and ESCs)

The VEEC market continued to climb across July and August 2023 with a clear reduction in VEEC submissions following the 30 June deadline for 2022 activity date certificates, combining with a lack of confidence in future supply, to push the VEEC price to all-time highs.

Having briefly reached a high of $88 in early August, the spot market softened to trade for the rest of the month in the $86 range. Of note during this time was the forward curve trading at very modest carry rates, which appeared to reflect counterparty credit concerns and the proximity to the nominal penalty rate of $90 rather than an

expectation that future supply would increase.

On the latter subject, there are precious few attractive methodologies capable of creating significant numbers of VEECs moving forward, a factor that bodes poorly for the scheme’s future. The spot price sat at $86.50 at the time of writing.

While the VEEC market moved steadily higher, ESCs lost ground across the same period, although with greater volatility along

the way. The divergent outcomes illustrate significant differences in approaches taken by scheme administrators in the past 18 months.

Victoria sought to phase out lighting before new activities were available, but NSW focused on new activities and allowed commercial lighting to continue creating ESCs while the new activities got off the ground. The result is significant growth in heat pump installations across the state in residential and commercial settings, as has been the growth in ESC supply.

The cut-off date of 30 June for the previous year’s installations saw a record 1.6 million ESCs approved, with the spot ESC price softening to its lowest levels since August 2020. The phase out of commercial lighting is no doubt still on the agenda and an announcement of a firm plan around that could yet buoy ESC prices across the remainder of 2023. Spot ESCs were at $26.05 at the time of writing.

The above information has been provided by CORE Markets and relates, unless otherwise indicated, to spot prices in Australian dollars as of 25 August, 2023

CORE Markets is an end-to-end markets, technology and climate solutions partner for business. Marco Stella is head of carbon and renewable markets at CORE Markets.

The VEEC market climbed in July and August 2023.

Trina Solar releases dual-glass PV module

Photovoltaic and smart energy total solution provider Trina Solar recently released its latest Vertex S+ module in Australia.

The NEG9R.28 is small, but big on power, and is suited to residential, commercial and industrial applications. Featuring a white rear encapsulate for maximum output power of 440W and efficiency reaching 22 per cent, the n-type, dual-glass module features a lightweight design.

The Vertex S+ NEG9R.28 is a monofacial n-type module based on the 210mm technology platform. Upgraded to feature n-type i-TOPCon cells, it delivers as much as 9.6 per cent more power during a 25-year span compared to similar 182 p-cell modules.

This improved performance amounts to 32,146kWh, which is equivalent to powering an electric vehicle to travel 224,797km.

Edison Zhou, country manager for Trina Solar Australia, says the Vertex S+

NEG9R.28 is suited to Australia’s broad climatic and environmental conditions.

“Our understanding of the Australian market informed us that besides power and efficiency, our customers seek modules capable of withstanding the diverse range of Australian climates,” he says.

“We’re confident Australian customers will find the NEG9R.28 an excellent module option. Not only is it designed with our LCOE [levelised cost of energy]-oriented principle in mind and provides excellent mechanical load performance, it is backed by our industryleading product and power warranty to help customers achieve greater savings at a time when energy prices are expected to continue rising.”

The module is compact and lightweight,

measuring less than two-square-metres and weighing 21.1kg – suitable for most Australian rooftops.

Trina Solar’s PV modules are designed to last for generations, with the company offering Australian customers a 25-year product warranty and 30-year power warranty. The advanced n-type cells in the Vertex S+ NEG9R.28 ensure degradation is just one per cent in the first year of deployment, with annual power attenuation at just 0.4 per cent.

Its dual-glass design eliminates a plastic backsheet, which improves the module’s recyclability. Trina’s Solar’s subsequent reduced plastic manufacturing has lowered the company’s carbon emissions by 11 per cent. This design also allows for high resistance through flame-retardance; a durable mechanical load of 5400Pa and -4000Pa for use in extreme weather conditions; and resistance to microcracks that can occur during module transportation and installation. For more information, visit trinasolar.com.

Trina Solar’s latest PV module is lightweight, durable and suited to Australia’s diverse climate.

Left: Trina Solar’s Vertex S+ NEG9R.28 module. Above: Edison Zhou, Trina Solar’s head of Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands.

With over 13 years of delivering renewable energy courses in 30 towns and cities across Australia, is a training organisation with a focus on the precise needs of tradies looking to improve their opportunities in a rapidly changing world. Our trainers have a combined 60 years experience in renewable energy installations and with a total of 8 training centres across Australia, we are the largest training organisation in this area in the country. We are not just a training organisation – we are contractors as well.

Certificate IV Electrical –Renewable Energy

What’s new?

New units for CEC accreditation

We are delivering the new units for CEC accreditation. The old units will be superseded in December 2023.

CET and SkillBuild Join Forces

We have teamed with College of Electrical Training to deliver all our renewable energy courses at their Jandakot campus. CET train half of the electrical apprentices in WA and we are pleased to be associated with the ECA. The Construction Training Fund may pay up to 80% of the course fee subject to eligibility. Enrolment opened in September 2023. Visit the CET website to enrol.

www.cet.asn.au

Gain the skills and knowledge in renewable energy (RE) by taking three of our RE courses:

•Grid Connect.

• Battery Storage.

•Off Grid.

You can complete five extra units in your own time with no extra payment required.

Scan the QR code below or visit our website to enrol.

Electric vehicle (EV) charging seminar in October

Our electric vehicle expert is delivering a two- hour electric vehicle (EV) charging seminar to cover all you need to know to install EV chargers.

Friday 27 October 2023 7.30 am start $100

We have put our last smart metering courses up for 2023. Enrol through our website as they fill fast!

• String current up to 16A

• Integrated with zero export power control function

• Light weight with compact design for easy installation

• 2 MPPT design with precise MPPT algorithm