Accelerating renewable projects
End-to-end marketplace for renewable energy land transactions – pg 26
INVERTER GUIDE
From the editor
As we look towards the future of sustainable energy in Australia, the horizon is brightened by the rapid expansion of utility-scale renewable projects across our vast landscape. These initiatives represent not just a shift towards cleaner energy sources but a fundamental reimagining of our national energy infrastructure.
Australia is continuing to build its presence in renewable utility-scale projects. The vast expanses of sun-drenched land and windswept coastlines have endowed us with immense potential for harnessing solar, wind, and other renewable sources. It is no wonder that utility-scale projects have gained momentum, promising to help meet our energy needs in the decades to come.
The scale and ambition of these projects are truly staggering. Each project represents a testament to human ingenuity and our commitment to a sustainable future. These projects are not just about generating electricity; they are about laying the foundation for a cleaner, more resilient energy grid that can power our homes, businesses, and industries while safeguarding our environment for generations to come.
The economic benefits of these projects not only creates jobs in regional communities, but they stimulate local economies, and attract investment from around the globe. The shift towards renewable energy is not just an environmental imperative but also an economic opportunity that Australia is poised to seize. However, challenges remain. The transition to renewable energy is not without its complexities, including grid integration, storage solutions, and community engagement. We recognise the importance of addressing these challenges head-on, fostering dialogue, and highlighting both the successes and the lessons learned along the way.
In this edition, we delve into the stories behind Australia’s most ambitious renewable energy projects, profiling some of the key utility-scale projects around Australia helping transform our energy landscape. Readers will also find ecogeneration’s annual solar inverter guide, which provides installers with important information and the latest innovative products in the market.
Happy reading!
Molly Hancock ecogeneration Managing Editor
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Average net distribution 6616 Period ending September 2021
News in brief
PM introduces Future Made in Australia legislation to Parliament
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has formally introduced ‘Future Made in Australia’ to Parliament.
‘Future Made in Australia’ is a major legislative package aimed at strengthening the nation’s economy and capitalising on global clean energy opportunities.
According to PM, the ‘Future Made in Australia’ bill outlines the government’s strategy for unlocking private investment in renewable energy industries and creating secure, well-paid jobs across the country.
“It embeds into law a disciplined and rigorous approach that will govern Future Made in Australia investments,” Albanese said.
“To make the most of our net zero potential and ensure the benefits of these investments are widely shared and flow to local communities.”
Key elements of the bills include a National Interest Framework to identify priority sectors where Australia can gain a competitive advantage, as well as a process for assessing investment barriers and opportunities in those sectors.
The package also legislates five ‘Community Benefit Principles’ that all investments must adhere to, such as promoting safe, well-paid jobs, developing more skilled and inclusive workforces, engaging with local communities like First Nations groups, strengthening domestic industrial capabilities, and ensuring tax transparency.
Businesses may be required to develop
This
key renewable legislation will change Australia’s clean energy landscape.
‘Future Made in Australia Plans’ to maximise broader economic and community benefits from investments in line with these principles.
The legislation further establishes a Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund to support emerging clean technologies like green metals, clean manufacturing, and low-carbon fuels. It also expands the National Interest Account to enable greater investment in the national interest.
“The government recognises that the best opportunities for Australia and its people lie at the intersection of industry, energy, resources, skills and our ability to attract and deploy investment,” Albanese said.
“The Future Made in Australia package improves our investment environment and encourages new industries that put us on a path to net zero and strengthen our economic resilience.”
Canadian giant takes control of Neoen for $10.2 billion
Canadian investment giant Brookfield is acquiring French renewable energy leader Neoen for $10.2 billion.
Neoen is Australia’s biggest and most successful foreign developer of renewable and storage assets.
The deal comes after Brookfield’s $20 billion bid for Origin Energy was rejected by shareholders last year.
Brookfield has now reached an agreement with Impala, the French company controlled by billionaire Jacques Veyrat which backs Neoen, to secure a 53.32 per cent stake.
Neoen has led landmark renewable projects like the Hornsdale Power in South Australia and Victoria’s Big Battery. Its upcoming Collie battery project will be
one of the nation’s largest battery storage facilities.
“Under Impala’s sponsorship, Neoen has built one of the world’s greatest renewable energy development platforms. We are excited to build on Brookfield’s expertise and access to capital to further accelerate Neoen’s growth,” CEO at Renewable Power & Transition at Brookfield Connor Teskey said.
Jacques Veyrat, founder and president at Impala, said the company is delighted to sell the control of Neoen to Brookfield, calling it “a responsible actor and world leader in the renewable energy market”.
“Impala created Neoen 15 years ago and have since then supported every stage of its development in France and then internationally, with an outstanding success
in Australia. With the financial backing of this new shareholder and the talent of Xavier Barbaro and his teams, Neoen will be able to continue its growth trajectory,” Veyrat said.
Xavier Barbaro, Neoen’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said after 15 years of successful and profitable growth with Impala as Neoen’s key shareholder, the company is thrilled to open a new chapter with the arrival of Brookfield as a new majority shareholder in the company.
“We look forward to developing a strong relation with Brookfield that will take Neoen to the next phase of its growth story, further consolidating its leadership position as an independent producer of renewable energy, and one of the most dynamic globally,” he said.
Peak shaving
Backup power supply
Diesel generator replacement
Frequency modulation
Embracing storage as a critical solution
Renewables’ backed up storage is the future of energy in Australia, at both utilityand small-scales, Kane Thornton, Chief Executive, Clean Energy Council writes.
By harnessing the powers of the natural resources Australia is blessed with and storing excess energy until it is needed, we can decarbonise our economy, deliver benefits to communities and meet government targets.
To make that happen, we need to embrace storage as a critical solution.
Consumer energy resources
Australia is a rooftop solar success story.
Last year, more than 11 per cent of our electricity came from rooftop solar systems – a figure that continues to grow rapidly . I’ve written before about how the next stage for Australia is to incentivise the uptake of home batteries to make the most of those solar panels.
But it isn’t just rooftop solar and batteries. Other technologies such as electric vehicle chargers, water heaters and
heat pumps make up what is referred to as ‘consumer energy resources’ (CER).
As a collective, CER have a profound role to play in Australia’s renewable energy future.
The 2024 Integrated System Plan, published by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), predicts in its ‘step change’ scenario that we will require approximately four times more rooftop solar, a seven-fold increase in residential and commercial batteries, and a huge increase in orchestrated battery capacity by 2050 to limit global temperature rise to less than 2 degrees.
In other words, CER has a critical role to play in what AEMO predicts would be the lowest-cost pathway to meeting both Australia’s energy and emissions targets.
the benefits of rooftop solar and there are now over 3.7 million households and small businesses with panels installed.
It is now up to governments to find efficient ways to incentivise the other elements of CER, particularly home batteries. Home batteries can harness, and dispatch energy generated during the day for use when the sun isn’t shining, making solar panels even more valuable.
Earlier this year, we published a national roadmap for CER: Powering homes, empowering people. The roadmap outlines just how important CER is and what industry and policymakers need to focus on to ensure consumers are brought along on the CER journey.
The modelling for that roadmap revealed four crucial things we risk losing if we do
CEC CEO Kane Thornton is calling for Australia to embrace storage to help hit net-zero targets.
• Over $22 billion in savings for Australian taxpayers
• $35-71 off the average annual energy bill for all Australians
• Up to 3.8 million more homes and businesses with orchestrated batteries
• 18,200 jobs in selling, designing and installing CER
Those are significant numbers we cannot afford to ignore.
Empowering consumers to embrace CER
Our CER Roadmap, written with consumers squarely front of mind, identifies five key themes that will empower consumers along each step of the CER journey: education, targets, consumer protection, incentives, and unlocking and maximising the use of network capacity.
Under those themes are practical recommendations such as funding support at state and federal levels to incentivise uptake, government targets for the orchestration of CER on government-owned assets, a National Home Battery Saver scheme and empowerment funds to help educate consumers on CER benefits.
A key recommendation and one in which we all play a role is communicating the value of these assets and technologies to consumers so that they understand what they are getting and how it will help them, be that lower energy bills, increased energy independence, supporting emissions reduction or helping to support the network by shifting energy flows to where there is available network capacity.
Large-scale storage boom
On the larger-scale side of storage, Australia is set for a boom . Q1 2024 marked the fourth consecutive quarter in which large-scale energy storage projects secured financial investment commitments of over $1 billion.
The record-breaking performance of the sector in 2023 was clearly not a flash in the pan, suggesting Australia is considered one of the most attractive markets for battery energy storage systems.
There are also significant developments to come in energy storage away from commonly seen technologies such as lithium-ion batteries and pumped hydro facilities, both of which are established at scale and widely used.
We published a landmark report in June, The future of long-duration energy storage, which provides a comprehensive overview of how alternative long-duration storage technologies could help keep costs down and firm renewables as the transition progresses.
The report covers a whole range of exciting alternative technologies, only some of which are already being practically used but all of which could play a huge part in the years to come. Those include mechanical storage, such as compressed air; electrochemical storage including redox flow and hybrid flow batteries; and thermal storage, which includes concentrated solar power and miscibility gap alloy.
Our report explores how these alternative storage technologies can complement lithium ion and pumped hydro to replace fossil fuel generation, forming a portfolio of long-duration storage that will help meet the needs of a modern, renewable energy system.
The future of energy
We’ve heard a lot recently in Australia about other forms of energy, including nuclear. But those plans are thinly drawn, speculatively based on technology, capability and a political landscape that doesn’t exist in Australia.
What Australia has already is an abundance of natural resources and the technology to harness them to decarbonise our economy. Renewable energy is already providing almost 40 per cent of our electricity.
If we are to meet our climate targets, there is no time to waste getting bogged down in starting a new industry and spooking clean energy investors , risking them choosing to invest elsewhere.
Rather than indulge a nuclear plan that would be decades in the making and incredibly costly, we must stick to and incentivise what is demonstrably working. At both small- and utility-scale, renewables backed by storage is the future of Australia’s energy system.
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.
Renewable Energy Training
Gain new skills for growing opportunities in the renewable energy market. Electricians and engineers interested in upskilling or gaining accreditation can tailor their training to suit their career goals at Holmesglen Institute’s Renewable Energy Centre of Excellence.
Industry experts deliver our nationally accredited renewable energy short courses with online and face-to-face hands-on practical workshop sessions. You can study:
• Grid Connected PV systems • Battery Storage • Stand-Alone Power Systems
Multiple start dates available throughout the year at our Moorabbin campus. Scan the QR code to find out more, or call 1300 639 888 to apply now.
WA pioneers renewable projects, investments
Western Australia is seeing significant investments, pioneering projects, and bold policies coming together to secure the region’s role in the global transition to net-zero emissions.
The Federal and State Government, major corporations, and Indigenous communities are collaboratively driving the energy landscape advancements, focusing on developing sustainable energy solutions and decarbonising key industries in WA.
Zenith commissions solar farm for Jundee
Zenith Energy has announced significant progress in its Jundee Solar Farm project, located in WA’s gold mining region.
The project, supported by Northern Star Resources, reached a major milestone on May 31, 2024, with the successful commissioning of its first solar farm blocks.
These newly activated blocks are now contributing solar energy to the Jundee Grid, enhancing the region’s access to clean and sustainable power.
Simultaneously, the company has begun commissioning its battery energy storage system (BESS), which has already captured and discharged its first solar energy.
The BESS is expected to play a crucial role in storing excess energy from the solar farm, ensuring a stable and reliable power supply during periods of low solar production.
This integration is part of Zenith Energy’s strategy to optimise renewable energy utilisation and maintain grid stability.
The Jundee Solar Farm project is part of a broader renewable energy Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) between Zenith Energy and Northern Star Resources.
The agreement includes the addition of 24 megawatts (MW) of wind power, 16.9 megawatts peak (MWp) of solar capacity, and 12MW/13.4MWh of battery storage to the existing 46.6MW natural gas-fuelled power generation that Zenith has been providing since 2016.
Once fully operational, the renewable energy components are expected to provide up to 56 per cent of the mine site’s power needs.
Northern Star’s Jundee Operation, an underground mining facility, is located in the Northern Goldfields region of Western Australia, approximately 45km northeast of Wiluna and about 520km north of Kalgoorlie.
APA builds solar and battery projects in Pilbara APA Group is advancing renewable energy in Western Australia with the construction of the Port Hedland Solar and Battery projects.
The initiative, which includes a 45-megawatt alternating current (MWAC) solar facility and a 35MW/36.7 MWh battery energy storage system, will support large mining operations in the Pilbara region.
As the owner and operator, APA Group said the project is set to complement the existing Port Hedland Power Station (PHPS).
Construction began in 2023, and the project is expected to be operational by late 2024.
APA Group shared on LinkedIn that the company is excited to share “a major milestone” in the construction of the Port Hedland Solar Farm and Battery WA project.
“All 34,016 piles have been successfully installed, marking significant progress in just eight weeks,” the company said.
“This incredible achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire project team including Shanghai Electric Power Design Institute and Monford Group, and the collaborative efforts of all involved.”
The new infrastructure consists of the solar PV generation facility, the BESS, a one kilometre 33 kilovolt (kV) cable connecting the solar PV facility to PHPS, and an extension of the 66kV switchyard at PHPS.
The WA Government has committed $1.5 million from its Clean Energy Future Fund to support the BESS.
This funding will help replace the spinning reserve currently provided by the gas-fired power station with energy stored in the battery, offering instant grid support when needed.
Indigenous renewable energy project secured in Pilbara
The Yindjibarndi people have secured the registration of an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) for the Yindjibarndi Renewable Energy Project (YREP) in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
The YREP ILUA, registered with the National Native Title Tribunal, provides the necessary native title consents for the development of large-scale renewable energy projects on Yindjibarndi country.
This follows a two-year process involving the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (YAC), Yindjibarndi Ngurra Aboriginal Corporation (YNAC), and the ACEN Corporation, Yindjibarndi’s strategic renewable energy partner.
Under the agreement, any renewable energy projects on Yindjibarndi land must be socially, culturally and environmentally appropriate, and will be subject to strict heritage protections.
The projects will be developed through a partnership called the Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation (YEC), which will see Yindjibarndi hold a minimum 25 per cent equity stake, and up to 50 per cent in individual projects.
YAC Chief Executive Michael Woodley said the ILUA places the Yindjibarndi people as leaders in the Pilbara’s transition to clean energy, allowing them to control development on their country.
“Large-scale renewable energy is
aligned with Yindjibarndi’s vision to create community-owned commercial businesses that protect our land, build a stronger community and respect our culture,” he said.
YEC has plans to develop up to 3 gigawatt of wind, solar and battery storage projects over the coming years, with the first 750 megawatt solar and battery storage project expected to reach final investment decision in late 2024.
ACEN Australia Managing Director David Pollington said the partnership is “aligned on so many levels” and they are grateful for the trust placed in them by the Yindjibarndi people.
Kathleen Valley Lithium Project gets $230m to bolster green lithium
The Australian Government is investing significantly to secure the nation’s role in renewable energy supply chains, critical for the global transition to net-zero emissions.
According to an announcement, a combined $230 million from government lenders is set to turbocharge the Kathleen Valley Lithium Project in WA.
The $110 million from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and $120 million from Export Finance Australia will help battery minerals producer Liontown Resources complete construction of the major lithium mine located north of Kalgoorlie. Once operational, the project is expected to create around 450 ongoing jobs.
Kathleen Valley could produce about 500,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate annually – a vital raw material for manufacturing lithium-ion batteries. Importantly, it will be one of the world’s lowest emissions lithium mines, powered by at least 60 per cent renewable energy.
“Australia has nine out of ten critical minerals needed for batteries, giving us a massive opportunity in the net-zero transformation,” Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen said.
“Making lithium a major export earns us a place in global automotive and renewables value chains.”
Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King highlighted the project shows how the resources sector is driving the low-carbon transition with government support.
“To meet net-zero, we need more mining for solar, batteries, and wind farms reducing emissions,” she said.
Liontown has already secured substantial offtake agreements with Tesla, Ford, and others.
The company aims to move into downstream processing, allowing Australia to capture more lithium battery value domestically.
Rio Tinto invests $215m in renewables for low-carbon steelmaking
Mining giant Rio Tinto has invested $215 million to assess its low-carbon ironmaking process, aimed at decarbonising the industry.
The BioIron Research and Development Facility, south of Perth, follows successful trials using raw biomass and microwave energy instead of coal to convert iron ore into metallic iron, potentially reducing emissions by up to 95 per cent.
The new facility will house a pilot plant ten times larger than the previous one in Germany, testing the innovative process at a semi-industrial scale to produce one tonne of direct reduced iron per hour. Data collected will assess scaling the technology.
A collaborative effort with the University of Nottingham, Metso Corporation, and Sedgman Onyx, the plant’s equipment fabrication commences this year for commissioning in 2026, supporting up to 60 construction jobs.
Employing around 30 full-time staff, the facility aims to develop a skilled workforce in steel decarbonisation while supporting local research organisations.
“The world needs low-carbon steel to reach net zero, and we are working to make this a reality by finding better ways to turn our Pilbara ores into steel,” Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Simon Trott said.
Western Australian Premier Roger Cook said as one of the world’s largest iron ore producers, it “just makes sense for WA to lead the world when it comes to lowemission steelmaking”.
“Our plan to turn WA into a renewable energy powerhouse opens up massive economic opportunities for the future, like producing low-emission steel right here at home,” he said.
Cook added that processing iron ore in WA will create jobs, reduce the world’s carbon emissions and help to diversify and strengthen our economy for decades to come.
“This is another job-creating clean energy project in our industrial heartland of Kwinana and Rockingham, part of our commitment to transitioning the industrial strip to a clean energy future,” he said.
The Albany Wind Farm in Western Australia.
RELA-tionship, Australia’s key to renewable success
As Australia’s first marketplace that exclusively brings landowners into the renewable energy system by connecting them with renewable energy developers, RELA is helping accelerate renewable projects.
As the renewable energy transition gathers momentum across Australia, a critical intersection has emerged – the convergence of energy production and land use.
Rural lands are increasingly in demand for wind and solar farms, creating a new frontier where the interests of landowners, developers, and communities intersect.
In this landscape, a pioneering company called RELA has stepped forward, establishing itself as an end-toend marketplace for renewable energy land transactions.
Bridging the gap
Through its revolutionary approach, RELA aims to accelerate and optimise the renewable energy transition by fostering
transparency, facilitating fair deals, and safeguarding the long-term interests of all stakeholders involved.
At the helm of RELA is Chief Executive Officer Michael Katz. In an exclusive interview with ecogeneration, Katz has shed light on the company’s mission and the pressing need it addresses.
“This transition to renewable energy has created a new marketplace,” he said.
“We identified about five years ago that there was no intermediation of that new intersection between energy and land, which is crucial for the future of our economy, environment, and energy and food production.
“But it was basically ignored from the landowners’ perspective.”
According to Katz, RELA’s inception
was driven by the recognition that while developers were well-resourced and experienced, landowners – often farmers and rural communities – lacked the specialised support and services needed to navigate this complex landscape.
By bridging this gap, RELA seeks to empower landowners and create an equitable playing field for all parties involved.
At the core of RELA’s model is a commitment to fostering transparency and competition through structured, marketdriven processes.
“We don’t set the market or dictate terms,” Katz said.
“What we do is provide a balanced space for these interactions to take place through a transparent, competitive process.”
Rural lands are increasingly in demand for wind and solar farms.
This approach ensures that landowners receive the best deal available in the market, rather than simply accepting the first offer that comes their way.
Simultaneously, it levels the playing field for developers, allowing reputable companies with competitive offerings to secure the right land parcels through a fair and structured decision-making framework.
One of RELA’s key innovations is its ability to facilitate upfront lease payments for landowners through partnerships with institutional investors. This groundbreaking solution addresses a common challenge –the desire to unlock the full value of their land without having to sell it outright.
“Through the deals that we have facilitated, we are looking at over $200 million in lease value going back into the regions through our upfront lease prepayment product,” Katz said, highlighting the tangible impact RELA has had on rural communities.
By bringing forward the lease payments into a lump sum, landowners gain immediate access to substantial capital, which can be invested in business growth, diversification, or succession planning.
Make it fair for everyone RELA’s role extends far beyond mere financial transactions. The company is
actively working to promote the coexistence of agricultural activities and renewable energy projects on the same land – a critical aspect of achieving social license and community acceptance.
“We believe the farm plan has to be held as an equal guide to the project plan and the establishment of the project,” Katz said.
RELA facilitates open dialogue and problem-solving between landowners and developers, ensuring that landowners’ objectives and concerns – from biosecurity to aerial cropping – are incorporated into project design.
This collaborative approach not only safeguards agricultural production but also fosters a harmonious coexistence of food and energy security, a delicate balance that is imperative for the long-term sustainability of both industries.
The company’s unwavering commitment to education and knowledge-sharing is paramount.
“It’s two-way education,” Katz said. “We share with the landowners the information they need to navigate the transition, and equally, the landowners educate us about their broader land and business objectives.”
This mutual learning extends beyond RELA and landowners, as developers also gain deeper insights into the intricate details of farming operations, fostering a
deeper understanding and appreciation for the complexities involved in integrating these industries.
As the renewable energy transition continues to evolve, RELA’s role in facilitating these complex interactions is becoming increasingly crucial. The company has developed a platform that allows developers to holistically view and evaluate land opportunities, enabling them to strategically match their resources and optimise project scale and viability.
Katz said the importance of maintaining objectivity and avoiding conflicts of interest is a challenge inherent in working with both landowners and developers.
RELA’s revenue model, tied to project success rather than upfront fees, aligns its incentives with delivering the best outcomes for all parties involved. Additionally, landowners retain independent legal representation, further safeguarding their interests.
“Our clients are the landowners,” Katz said.
“We have no economic ties with any specific developers. This ensures that landowners know when they work with us, they are our sole focus.”
RELA’s commitment to fairness and equitability is further reflected in its approach to fostering transparency and
RELA accelerates renewable energy transition by promoting transparency, fair deals, and protecting stakeholder interests.
competition in the renewable energy land market and industry.
“By facilitating a transparent, competitive business process within a structured decision-making framework, we’ve created an inherently transparent and fair marketplace,” Katz said.
Equitable, inclusive and patience
RELA’s commitment to openness, inclusivity, and patience is evident in both its business practices and the testimonials from landowners and developers who have engaged with the company.
By actively listening and seeking to understand the unique objectives and perspectives of each stakeholder, RELA fosters an environment of mutual respect and collaboration.
The diverse range of its client base, spanning corporate farming entities, individual landowners, and individuals of varying ages and backgrounds, underscores the company’s ability to tailor its approach to the specific needs and circumstances of each client.
This inclusivity ensures that no perspective is overlooked or marginalised, as highlighted by Katz’s insights.
Testimonials from clients offer a resounding endorsement of RELA’s patient and equitable approach.
Colin Sussman, CFO of Twynam, commended the company’s clear communication and decisive resolution of matters.
“It was a great experience. Communication was clear and timely, any
matters requiring resolution were dealt with equitably and decisively. It really was a pleasure,” Sussman said.
Similarly, Simon Kidston, Chairman of Genex, praised RELA’s ability to exceed expectations while safeguarding the interests of all parties involved.
Archie Chen, CEO of Risen Energy, echoed this sentiment, applauding RELA’s focus on creating fair and positive outcomes for both landowners and developers.
“RELA was a pleasure to work with throughout the process as the organisation is focused on creating fair and positive results for both landowners and developers,” he said.
Katz said these testimonials serve as a testament to RELA’s patient, inclusive, and equitable approach.
As the renewable energy transition gains momentum, the importance of RELA’s role in fostering an equitable and inclusive marketplace becomes increasingly pivotal.
By empowering landowners, promoting transparency, and facilitating fair negotiations, RELA is paving the way for a future where the pursuit of renewable energy and agricultural productivity can coexist harmoniously.
“Our mission is to empower landowners with the knowledge and resources needed to unlock the full potential of their land,” Katz said.
“It’s a journey that requires the right partners and a commitment to working together towards shared objectives.”
For more information, visit rela.com.au
When working with RELA, landowners retain independent legal representation, further safeguarding their interests.
The Green Gold of Australia
In Australia’s sun-drenched expanses, a new gold rush is underway – one that harvests energy from the sky.
Green Gold’s Kerta Project in South Australia.
At the forefront stands Green Gold Energy, an Adelaide firm that has just secured development approvals for a groundbreaking project in South Australia.
The project combines a 110 megawatts (MW) solar farm with a 91.7 megawatts-hour (MWh) DC-coupled battery energy storage system.
This hybrid facility promises to power over 47,000 homes annually while slashing carbon emissions by a staggering 167,000 tonnes per year - equivalent to removing more than 60,000 cars from our roads.
And that’s just part of Green Gold Energy’s renewable achievements, as this industry leader has been turning sunlight into power and profit since 2017.
The firm specialises in delivering comprehensive “Solar+” solutions, encompassing development, engineering, construction, and operational expertise across four of Australia’s most populous states: South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland.
This turnkey approach streamlines project delivery and reduces risk for investors in the burgeoning solar energy sector.
In an exclusive interview with ecogeneration, Green Gold Energy’s Managing Director John Huang shared the company’s journey.
“Since Green Gold Energy’s inception in 2017, one of the most significant milestones was connecting the first 1MW to the South Australian distribution network within our first year.
Our team’s efficient collaboration and rapid response have been crucial factors in our fastpaced growth from the very beginning to the present day,” Huang said.
This early success set the tone for the company’s rapid ascension in the renewable energy sector.
The ability to deliver results quickly and efficiently has become a hallmark of Green Gold Energy’s operations, enabling them to build trust and credibility in a highly competitive market.
The Solar+ approach
The company’s competitive edge lies in its comprehensive approach to renewable energy solutions, which they term “Solar+”.
Green Gold Energy offers a vertically integrated service model that spans the entire project lifecycle, from initial consulting and development to engineering, procurement, construction, and ongoing operation and maintenance.
Huang said this approach has multiple benefits, which in Australia its investors usually need to engage multiple service providers for various aspects.
“This includes things such as development, engineering, construction, maintenance, and operation. By offering a comprehensive range of services, we help investors save costs and accelerate their investment processes,” he said.
“Traditional solar projects focus on solar as a product, whereas our ‘Solar+’ approach emphasises innovation in solar energy applications.
“Each application involves technical development and implementation. The benefit of this approach is that it broadens the scope of new energy applications.”
This innovative approach allows Green Gold Energy to offer solutions that go beyond traditional solar installations, addressing the evolving needs of the renewable energy sector and providing added value to their clients.
A prolific developer
The firm has successfully completed over 20 solar farms across Australia, with numerous others in various stages of development.
According to Huang, key members of Green Gold Energy have decades of experience in the renewable energy industry, and this translates into tangible benefits for clients.
“Our team members are well-versed in supply chain management, which helps reduce EPC costs for our projects.
Additionally, our in-house engineering and construction capabilities allow us to better control both financing and project timelines,” he said.
The company’s noteworthy projects include the 6.5MW Mannum installation with a 5.5 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery storage system in South Australia, the 5.18MW Elwomple Solar & BESS project, also featuring a 5.5MWh storage capacity, and the 6.5MW Kerta solar farm.
The Mannum project, located in South Australia, is one of the remarkable examples of Green Gold Energy’s comprehensive approach to renewable energy solutions.
This large-scale solar project, fully developed and constructed by Green Gold Energy’s in-house teams, showcases the company’s expertise in end-to-end project delivery.
From identifying suitable land to achieving connection and development approvals, Green Gold Energy’s dedicated teams have ensured seamless project execution from the beginning.
Images: Green Gold Energy
More than individual projects
Green Gold Energy is actively shaping Australia’s renewable energy landscape, boasting a substantial development pipeline exceeding 1.2GW of solar capacity and 2.5GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems.
This forward-looking strategy positions the company as a key player in Australia’s transition towards a more sustainable energy mix. The company has diversified its offerings beyond traditional solar farms to include microgrid systems, hydrogen solutions, electric vehicle charging stations, and renewable-powered data centres.
Huang said an example of the company’s innovative approach it is being able to provide advice and technical support, working closely with suppliers to enhance their products.
“For example, we helped a major energy storage manufacturer improve its inverter control strategies, significantly boosting its systems’ financial performance,” he said.
This commitment to innovation ensures that Green Gold Energy remains at the vanguard of the renewable energy sector, well-equipped to address the evolving demands of a dynamic market.
Certified to excel
The company holds ISO 9001:2015 for Quality Management Systems,
ISO 14001:2015 for Environmental Management Systems, and ISO 45001:2018 for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems.
Huang said these certifications distinguish Green Gold Energy from competitors and showcase its commitment to high standards in quality, environmental management, and health and safety.
“ISO 9001:2015 ensures consistent quality and enhances customer satisfaction through standardised processes and continuous improvement. ISO 14001:2015 demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability and regulatory compliance, minimising environmental impact. ISO 45001:2018 promotes a safe working environment by identifying and mitigating occupational hazards and ensuring team member wellbeing,” Huang said.
Beyond mere kilowatts
Green Gold Energy’s success hinges on its strategic relationships with different stakeholders, Huang said, adding that these partnerships are crucial for the company’s growth.
“Collaboration with local governments has been instrumental in garnering community support and addressing concerns through public consultations.
Similarly, our close ties with network providers have streamlined grid connection processes, significantly reducing project delays,” Huang said.
Despite the company’s expansion across Australia’s diverse states, it faces unique challenges with different network providers and regulatory landscapes.
“Each state presents distinct working cultures and approaches, demanding patience and adaptability from our team,” Huang said.
However, Huang sees opportunities in these challenges.
“These hurdles have opened doors to partnerships with top-tier investors, ultimately strengthening our network and propelling our growth,” he said.
For landowners/investors, Green Gold Energy offers a tailored, integrated solution covering the entire process from initial site identification to project completion and long-term operation.
Landowners can lease or sell their land to Green Gold Energy, especially if it is adjacent to a three-phase powerline, potentially transforming it into a solar farm.
According to the company, it is committed to high-quality and safety standards, ensuring compliance with all national certifications and state regulations.
Green Gold offers investors end-toend solutions, from site identification to project completion and operation.
Additionally, it provides various land management measures recommended by experts in vegetation and ecology, striving to accommodate specific requirements for land management and protection.
While for developers, they can partner with Green Gold Energy to benefit from its deep understanding of the local land and communities, along with exceptional relationships with network service providers. As an industry leader with superior local knowledge, the company also promises to share its experiences in dealing with different local government organisations in Australia, to ensure each solar project is developed, constructed, operated, and maintained to the highest standards, delivering efficient and reliable renewable energy solutions.
A vision for future
Green Gold Energy is poised to acquire an energy retailer license, aiming to provide Australians with greener, more affordable, and sustainable energy solutions, Huang said.
“We believe ‘Green is Gold,’ and conversely, ‘Gold is Green.’ At Green Gold Energy, we focus not only on the short-term profit of our projects but also on promoting sustainability for future generations.”
storage and green hydrogen.
“Battery energy storage system technology, especially with newer applications, complements existing solar farms by balancing grid supply and demand. It also offers potential opportunities for green hydrogen production from solar power,” Huang said.
Green Gold Energy also recognises the future challenges of recycling solar panels and battery systems after their 25–30year lifespan and will work closely with
and address these concerns.
“Our mission is to develop green energy, utilise sustainable practices, and instil the green concept in the minds of the next generation,” Huang said. “With innovative ‘Solar+’ solutions, solid projects, and ambitious goals, we will prove that in the land down under, green truly is the new gold.”
For more information, visit greengoldenergy.com.au
Green Gold’s Mypolonga Project site in South Australia.
Green Gold’s first DC-coupled BESS project, one of the first commissioned in Australia.
Reshaping the renewable landscape
Australia is taking significant strides towards a renewable energy future with a series of groundbreaking utility-scale projects.
These utility-scale developments, including a 1GW wind farm, the country’s first eight-hour battery system, and innovative solar-battery combinations, are set to transform Australia’s energy sector.
These projects are not just expanding capacity but are crucial for enhancing grid stability, increasing energy storage, and accelerating the nation’s transition to clean energy.
As Australia aims to become a renewable energy superpower, these initiatives represent key milestones in reducing carbon emissions and ensuring a sustainable, reliable power supply for millions of homes and businesses across the country.
Octopus expands with massive land acquisition, 1GW wind farm
Octopus Australia has secured its largest wind farm development, the 1 gigawatt (GW) Merino Wind Farm located in the South-West NSW Renewable Energy Zone (SW-NSW REZ).
Octopus Australia said it has acquired 28,000 hectares of land in NSW to build the project, which will be adjacent to the 400MW Saltbush Wind Farm, also owned by Octopus.
This latest acquisition brings the company’s total landholding in the SW-NSW REZ to 35,000 hectares.
According to Octopus, these projects will be bolstered by large-scale solar and battery storage, creating a robust renewable energy generation for the area.
The company now boasts an operating and development portfolio of over $11billion, which includes the Fulham Solar Farm and Battery and the Blind Creek Solar Farm and Battery, both set to start construction later this year.
“The acquisition marks a major milestone in Octopus Australia’s strategy to build a portfolio of energy assets which model what a future clean energy generation base will look like in Australia,”
Co-Managing Director of Octopus Australia Darren Brown said.
“These cornerstone wind assets supplemented with Octopus’ storage and solar developments across the NEM, are designed to be an integrated, multitechnology portfolio that can offer truly unique and differentiated Power Purchase Agreement products to energy customers and sustainable value to investors.”
Marinus Link taps Hitachi for Australia-Tasmania renewable project
Marinus Link has selected Hitachi Energy for the major grid connection project between mainland Australia and Tasmania.
According to Marinus Link, this 345-kilometre cable system will enable the bidirectional flow of renewable energy between Victoria and Tasmania, making it a first for Australia.
Hitachi Energy’s high-voltage direct current (HVDC) Light® voltage source converter stations will be used at both ends of the link.
These converters will convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) for efficient long-distance transmission and back to AC for integration into the grid.
This technology aims to stabilise and integrate increasing amounts of renewable energy into the power grid.
The Marinus Link project will enable Tasmania to import excess solar and wind energy from Victoria, reserving its hydropower for when it is needed most.
This setup will act as a large battery, ensuring a reliable and affordable clean energy supply for Australians.
Niklas Persson, Managing Director at Hitachi Energy’s Grid Integration business, said its technology played a key role in supporting the integration of more clean energy sources.
“Our HVDC technology will help transmit large amounts of electricity with higher stability and lower electrical losses,” Persson said.
“Interconnectors like Marinus Link give customers access to affordable, ondemand renewable energy and increase storage capabilities.”
Upon completion, the Marinus Link will have a capacity of 1500 megawatts (MW), enough to power 1.5 million homes. The project is expected to save up to 140 million tons of CO₂ emissions by 2050, equivalent to taking approximately 1 million cars off the road.
Caroline Wykamp, Chief Executive Officer of Marinus Link, said Marinus Link is a critical part of the Australian Government’s Rewiring the Nation Plan, which aims to secure a reliable future.
APA Group is advancing renewable energy in Western Australia.
Image: Framestock/stock.adobe.com
“With our essential HVDC systems secured, Marinus Link is poised for delivery by the end of the decade,” Wykamp said.
“It is a cornerstone project of the Australian Government’s Rewiring the Nation Plan and is classified as urgent in the Australian Energy Market Operator’s national energy plan.”
RWE unveils Australia’s first eight-hour battery
Global energy giant RWE has announced plans to construct Australia’s first eighthour battery.
The lithium-ion battery energy storage systems (BESS) will be built near Balranald, in NSW.
With a planned capacity of over 50MW and more than 400 megawatt hours (MWh), the Limondale BESS will be a key player in supporting Australia’s energy transition. It will store excess renewable energy and supply it to the NSW grid when needed.
The project will be situated next to RWE’s Limondale Solar Farm, one of Australia’s largest with a capacity of 249 MW. The BESS will connect to the existing grid infrastructure, ensuring seamless integration and operation.
Tesla has been chosen as the BESS supplier for the project. Beon Energy Solutions will serve as the delivery partner for the Balance of Plant, which includes the civil, structural, electrical, and control works required to connect the Megapack to the existing 33kV substation.
Construction is slated to commence in the second half of this year, with the commissioning of the project planned for late 2025.
Katja Wünschel, CEO of RWE Renewables Europe and Australia, said the company is excited about the project.
“As a battery storage pioneer, RWE develops, builds and operates innovative and competitive battery storage systems
work with all stakeholders to help realise the country’s renewable energy goals,” she said.
RWE has been present in Australia since 2013 and has a team of over 70 people developing a portfolio of wind, solar, and battery storage projects across the country. The company aims to develop up to 3 gigawatts of renewable energy projects in Australia by 2030.
APA’s mega solar and battery projects in WA
APA Group is advancing renewable energy in Western Australia with the construction of the Port Hedland Solar and Battery Projects.
The initiative, which includes a 45MW alternating current (MWAC) solar photovoltaic (PV) facility and a 35MW/36.7 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery energy storage system, will support large mining operations in the Pilbara region.
As the owner and operator, APA Group said the project is set to complement the existing Port Hedland Power Station (PHPS). Construction began in 2023, and the project is expected to be operational by late 2024.
APA Group shared on LinkedIn that the company is excited to share “a major milestone” in the construction of the Port Hedland Solar Farm and Battery Western Australia.
“All 34,016 piles have been successfully installed, marking significant progress in just eight weeks,” the company said.
“This incredible achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire project team including Shanghai Electric Power Design Institute and Monford Group, and the collaborative efforts of all involved.”
The new infrastructure consists of the solar PV generation facility, the BESS, a 1km 33 kilovolt (kV) cable connecting the solar PV facility to PHPS, and an extension of the 66kV switchyard at PHPS.
The Western Australian Government has committed $1.5 million from its Clean
reserve currently provided by the gas-fired power station with energy stored in the battery, offering instant grid support when needed.
Punchs Creek Solar Farm approved
The Punchs Creek Solar Farm in Queensland has been given the green light by the Federal Government, which will have a capacity of 800MW.
Tanya Plibersek, Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, said the government wants to unlock Australia’s potential to be a world leader in renewable energy.
“I’ve now ticked off 47 renewable energy projects which will power over 3 million homes. And we have a record 134 renewables projects in the approval pipeline. This is an exciting time. As well as lower emissions, it means cheaper, cleaner power for all Australians,” she said.
Located 64km south-west of Toowoomba, the solar farm will be accompanied by a 250MW battery energy storage system and is set to generate enough energy to power 300,000 homes in the region.
The project involves the installation of 1.7 million solar PV panels on previously cleared agricultural land, which will connect to the existing Powerlink transmission line.
This development marks a significant step in the government’s plan to transform Australia into a renewable energy superpower.
The Punchs Creek Solar Farm project is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 1,438,883 tonnes per annum.
This is equivalent to taking around 450,000 passenger cars off the road for a year.
In addition to boosting renewables, projects like this are also beneficial for local jobs and economies.
The construction phase of this project will support up to 340 direct jobs, with up to 10 ongoing operational jobs.
The Punchs Creek Solar Farm in Queensland involves the installation of 1.7 million solar PV panels on previously cleared agricultural land.
Hitchi Energy HVDC Light Valve Hall. Image: Marinus Link
Holmesglen: Home to Australia’s renewable workforce
Holmesglen Institute, a vanguard in renewable energy education, is reshaping Australia’s workforce to meet the increasing demands of a net-zero future.
Holmesglen’s Renewable Energy Centre of Excellence, located at the Moorabbin campus, is one of Australia’s powerhouses for renewable energy education.
Since its inception in 2008, the centre has been at the forefront of developing Australia’s renewable energy talent pool, a critical contributor to the country’s ambitious clean energy targets.
“We’re not just training students; we’re cultivating the architects of Australia’s sustainable future,” Holmesglen’s Senior Renewable Energy Instructor David Tolliday said.
With over four decades in the electrical
sector, including 15 years in renewables, Tolliday exemplifies Holmesglen’s commitment to industry-relevant education.
A paradigm shift in energy education
Holmesglen offers a comprehensive suite of renewable energy courses, from gridconnected photovoltaic systems to battery storage and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
This holistic curriculum ensures graduates are well-versed in the broader ecosystem of renewable energy.
The institute’s innovative blended learning model balances theoretical knowledge with practical application.
This approach combines self-paced online learning and intensive hands-on workshops, enabling students to upskill while employed.
“Time is of the essence, and minimising time away from the job is a major consideration in our training model,” Tolliday said.
“Without compromising the learning outcomes, our self-paced online learning platform gives students the flexibility to study the fundamentals at home while continuing to work.”
The majority of theoretical knowledge is delivered online, supplemented by webinar support from instructors. This virtual component allows students to learn at
Images: Holmesglen
Holmesglen’s innovative blended learning model balances theoretical knowledge with practical application.
their own pace before advancing to more practical aspects.
Face-to-face workshop sessions reinforce essential knowledge through immersive, practical activities and assessments.
“I am a great believer in practical activities in the workshop sessions to reinforce the knowledge,” Tolliday said.
“This model has worked exceptionally well, and our students absolutely love it.”
Holmesglen’s state-of-the-art facilities, provide students access to cutting-edge technology.
Partnerships with industry leaders such as Clenergy, Solis, and Fronius ensure training aligns with the latest technological advancements and industry demands.
Inclusive training and diverse opportunities
Holmesglen courses stand out for their inclusivity, exemplified by the Grid-connected Battery Storage Systems Designer-Installer Skill Set course.
This program caters to a diverse audience, including electricians, electrical apprentices, engineers, and non-electricians alike.
“I played a significant role on the technical advisory committee for the new solar training package, advocating for pathways for non-electricians to be offered, so we can expand the workforce, especially for women.”
Tolliday said.
This approach underscores Holmesglen’s commitment to diversifying the renewable energy sector and creating opportunities for underrepresented groups.
The course equips students with the knowledge and skills required to gain Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) certification, essential for a rewarding career in the solar industry.
While electricians handle installations, roles such as designers and site surveyors are open to non-electricians, presenting a range of career opportunities for a broader demographic.
Strong industry collaborations
Holmesglen’s success is underpinned by robust industry collaborations, ensuring curricula remains industry relevant and students having access to latest technologies.
In 2023, for example, SunPower partnered with Holmesglen to develop and deliver their installer-based program.
“Our industry partnerships are symbiotic,” Tolliday said. “They provide us with the latest technologies and insights, while we supply a highly skilled workforce.”
This industry alignment extends to emerging technologies.
With an organisational goal to be environmentally sustainable, Holmesglen is also helping lead electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure education, offering Victorian qualifications in EV charging design and testing. The institute also stays current with rapidly evolving battery technology.
“Through our ongoing relationships with industry, we have leading battery manufacturers ensuring their products are in our Renewable Energy Centre of Excellence training workshop,” Tolliday said.
“Brands like BYD, PowerPlus, and SunPower are all used in our hands-on activities.”
However, challenges remain in the broader solar training landscape.
Tolliday said that the knowledge among Australia’s solar trainers is a concern, and there’s a significant shortage of quality instructors in the field.
To address this, Holmesglen prioritises continuous learning for its staff.
“Up-to-date knowledge is paramount for trainers,” he said. “With Holmesglen’s support, you’ll see me at numerous solar conferences throughout the year.”
Tolliday added that “our standing as a leading training provider gives us the credibility for top manufacturers to support us”.
This ecosystem of learning, industry collaboration, and technological currency
ensures Holmesglen graduates are wellequipped to meet the evolving demands of the renewable energy sector.
Holmesglen’s pivotal role in Australia’s renewable energy future has not gone unnoticed by policymakers.
The Victorian Government’s continued support of the institute’s facilities underscores the strategic importance of renewable energy education in Australia.
This funding has enabled Holmesglen to expand its capabilities, including the addition of EV charging stations and solar carports. These enhancements not only improve the quality of education but also position Holmesglen as a living laboratory for renewable energy technologies.
As Australia charts its course towards a net-zero economy, the role of institutions like Holmesglen becomes increasingly critical. The institute’s forward-thinking approach, evidenced by its continuous curriculum updates and expansion into emerging fields, ensures that it remains at the vanguard of renewable energy education.
“The renewable energy sector is not just evolving; it’s revolutionising,” Tolliday said. “Holmesglen’s job is to ensure that Australia’s workforce is not just keeping pace but leading this revolution.”
For more information, visit www.holmesglen.edu.au/explore-courses/ building-and-construction/renewable-energy
Face-to-face workshop sessions reinforce essential knowledge through immersive, practical activities and assessments.
Procurement’s vital role in shaping the energy transition
For the longest time in Australia, Energy has been a story of state or natural monopolies, regulated tariffs and minimal choice. The fundamental of the energy transition is now being turned on its head. ecogeneration spoke with ArcBlue about how procurement and supply chain is key to overcoming these challenges.
The opportunity to be a producer, or at least to exercise more choice in energy supply, is now open to almost anyone. Australia’s ambitions to achieve net-zero by 2050 will involve a massive, complex transformation of the energy landscape.
This brings new complexity and problems for procurement and supply chain teams to solve. This is not a change that the industry can passively observe, rather, this impacts any business that produces or uses energy and the procurement and supply chain teams responsible for energy spend.
An exploration of new energy supply chain issues
With opportunity also comes challenges, and new energy and infrastructure opportunities have their fair share of issues.
The relative immaturity of supply chains, along with complex technology procurement decisions is daunting. There are well publicised concerns about the geopolitics of semi-conductors and critical minerals supply chains.
More immediately, there are other impactful technology decisions which are also supply chain decisions (every problem,
at its core, is a supply chain problem).
Solar and wind are mature products. There are (not insignificant) logistics and sourcing challenges, however the technologies and markets are known quantities. Generation is only part of the answer - storage and transmission take on outsized importance in renewable energy. Those energy storage decisions are far more complex. Grid-scale battery storage, for example, looks like a diverse and competitive market while it is actually very concentrated at the fundamental technology, the battery cell.
A wind turbine being transported.
Lithium-ion battery cell supply is dependent (+60 per cent) on a handful of Chinese manufacturers. Chinese suppliers hold a monopoly in lithium iron phosphate battery supply, while Japanese and South Korean suppliers rely on strength in NCM (lithium, nickel, cobalt and manganese) batteries. There are known human-rights and environmental concerns in these supply chains. Many other key components are completely reliant on international supply, given the low manufacturing maturity in Australia, exposing Australian projects to international competition.
the world who are working hard to try to transition their economy and we don’t yet have the strength of local manufacturing. We’re competing with other buyers who are often doing bigger projects and are closer to the suppliers in Asia, Europe, and North America,” Managing Director of ArcBlue Chris Newman said.
We most often see this in exceptionally long lead times. High voltage (HV) substations have a two-to-three-year lead time considering engineering design plus manufacturing time. Project quantities of HV cables are typically six to nine months manufacturing lead time from order acceptance.
This can also be a learning experience in Australia’s small market size; there are a limited number of manufacturers who will build to Australian standards, and they can be reluctant to switch manufacturing over for (relatively) small quantities of cable.
“Even within Australia, the competition of energy projects with other infrastructure demands is a constraint. Our tight market, key skill shortages and growing labour costs see projects competing against each other for the same limited resources,” ArcBlue’s Director for Infrastructure and Renewables Daniel Renfrey said.
Renfrey added that Australia’s habit of treating projects as islands with limited coordination or alignment of resource needs at a national level does not help.
Once manufacturing hurdles are overcome, project logistics represent a serious challenge. Wind turbines, for example, are shipped on dedicated vessels that is obviously constrained to a small and in-demand cohort of shippers.
components of the turbine including the generator, gearbox, drivetrain and brake assembly, is a heavy, oversize load creating restrictions on land-side transport.
While community demand for renewable, clean energy may be well past the tipping point of consensus, the reality of renewable energy projects is creating new conflicts.
There are many examples of pushback against construction of solar farms, wind turbines and transmission lines. The social licence to build new energy infrastructure is a critical constraint on projects, and a key consideration for procurement.
The importance of procurement and supply chain
Fundamentally, the procurement function is the way a business connects with the other participants in the market necessary to achieve its goals.
The energy transition has the typical procurement and supply chain challenges in spades; emerging technologies, immature markets, make vs buy decisions and the need for market-building collaboration. All this in the context of broader postpandemic supply chain disruption, with conflicts, loss of shipping routes, re-emergence of sovereign manufacturing imperatives protectionist trade policies.
“If ever there was a time for us in the profession to earn our pay checks, this is it.
An optimised procurement strategy, highly capable procurement and supply chain team with sufficient capacity can be the critical success factor for a winning energy transformation project,” Emerson Boyle, ArcBlue’s Director for Energy and Natural Resources said.
A wind farm in Australia.
Image: Justin Sara
The procurement and supply chain approach – what do we need to do differently?
Idealised procurement practice follows a formula; wait for the end user to develop a comprehensive, detailed scope of work, take this scope to a crowded market in a competitive process, then negotiate with the shortlist for lowest price.
However, this doesn’t work in new energy due to immature markets and technology flux requiring an innovative, agile approach in procurement and challenging legacy practices. So what do we need to do differently?
Develop the supply chain: there is a need to develop the supply chain to a state of maturity. This creates opportunities and also flips the supply chain to consider ‘what can we positively develop or build competitive advantage from?’
“There is an important role for governments here, however as buyers we have the opportunity to build resilient supply chains and develop social licence through investment in local capacity and capability building,” Justin Sara, ArcBlue Director for South Australia said.
Market intelligence isn’t just for tactical sourcing decisions – it is enormously valuable for guiding business strategy. Gaining line of sight of the national project pipeline to assist in forecasting where your demand will be coincident with other like projects is important.
Look beyond your project niche; for example, transmission projects require transformers and so do hydrogen projects, creating competing demand.
Invest in building social licence: not only because expectations of government, regulators and community have shifted but because this is a critical enabler for projects
as a whole. Expectations cover the building of ethical supply chains (navigating the minefield of environmental and human rights issues) through to local employment and social benefits. Procurement is a mechanism to build social licence, when
process. Across the supply chain, we can help in standardising expectations of suppliers.
Contracting models: these often need to support investment.
Typically, we write procurement contracts as a one-way option.
Suppliers making significant capital investments will often need to show stronger, binding obligations as security for finance.
There is also a need to consider reservation agreements (and related mechanisms) to ensure supply even with established suppliers.
Procurement and
supply
chain needs to keep up with the pace of change
Renewables are now delivering one third of Australia’s energy mix (energy.gov. au), meaning that the energy transition is already underway at pace.
mindful of engagement, planning, and adapting to local nuance to be effective.
“We have moved past new energy projects gaining community support by buying the local footy team jumpers.
Local people know there is significant investment coming to the region and when projects don’t realise real benefit to them, then there is disappointment, and the negative reputational risk for the project is high,” ArcBlue’s Social and Sustainable Procurement Lead Petra McLoughlin said.
Collaboration and engagement: To achieve the above, it requires enhanced collaboration and engagement across the supply chain is required in order to achieve social licence and a more mature supply chain.
As buyers we need to be more transparent with potential suppliers to engage in an iterative, agile procurement
With the 2024-25 Federal Budget committing over $22 billion to accelerating renewable energy on top of a confluence of Commonwealth, state and local incentives, macro-economic factors and community expectations are also contributing to accelerating the pace of the transition.
“This is a future which procurement and supply chain must embrace in order to achieve the nation’s energy transition goals,” Boyle said.
Most importantly, Boyle said procurement and supply chain teams need to invest in their own skills and capabilities to meet these challenges.
So, when do we need to be ready for this? The team at ArcBlue is confident the answer, clearly, is immediately, if not sooner.
For more information, visit arcblue.com
Wind turbines are shipped on dedicated vessels.
Image: Yellow Boat/stock.adobe.com
Image: ABS & Macromonitor with ArcBlue analysis
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Dirty dancing across a new energy landscape
Schneider Electric’s Principal and Senior Director Lisa Zembrodt talks about the transition to renewables and the race to a net-zero future.
One of my favourite movies as a kid was Dirty Dancing, I was energised by the music and dance. Now, when it comes to discussing our evolving energy systems and the need to transition to a net zero future, the dancing metaphor is a great fit.
Here’s why. The real-time balancing of electricity generation (supply) and demand is like a dynamic dance and if the two dancers are not in sync, the electricity system could tumble.
Demand has long been the leader, increasing when you flick on your kettle, and its dance partner, generation, follows its lead and increases too.
But the electricity system is transforming. Demand has suddenly flipped into an energetic tango, leaving the flowing waltz of the past behind. Homes and businesses have become power generators in their own right, especially with rooftop solar, batteries, and energy storage systems becoming more prevalent.
Similarly, generation is no longer the perpetual follower of demand: grid-scale renewable generation output is growing rapidly. However, electricity generation from renewables is plentiful at times and sometimes it’s not dancing at all – when the sun doesn’t shine, and the wind doesn’t blow real-time balancing of the electricity grid can be challenging.
Transitioning to renewables is pivotal to greenhouse gas emissions reduction and reaching net zero, but it requires overcoming inconsistent generation, transmission challenges, and increasing volumes of storage to ensure the beat goes on, 24/7.
With storage, we have a new dance partner joining demand to spin around the dancefloor: when generation is resting, storage cuts in.
Importantly, we also need to teach demand to follow its generation partner’s lead every now and again. In the energy
industry, we call this demand management, and this is the unsung hero and future of the grid.
To make demand management work, we need price signals to motivate changes to energy use by telling the market the true value or cost of each electron. In my Dirty Dancing analogy, this is like a conductor changing the beat, driving consumption of energy to another time, when it’s most available.
Due to supply and demand being out of step, an electron in the middle of the day can be far cheaper than an electron at 7:00pm. And times of peak demand, such as heatwaves, threaten the grid’s reliability.
Today, many residential and small business consumers pay a flat rate regardless of supply scarcity. For larger energy consumers, pricing has been a little smarter, as most pay different rates for peak and off peak and can therefore pay less by altering when they use energy.
High prices due to global energy supply shortages in the past couple of years have revealed the inadequacy of these old pricing regimes. When supply gets tight, the market operator must step in with expensive interventions to maintain reliability.
The future requires proactive mechanisms to better reflect scarcity and abundance. For example, it could be more cost-effective for a small manufacturer to have two production lines that run during daylight hours (powered by rooftop solar) than it is to have one production line that runs 24/7.
Most importantly, the consumer needs to be rewarded appropriately for helping to maintain grid reliability.
If you coordinate energy efficiency, demand response, and demand management properly, there is significant value to be realised in that flexibility.
Today’s major energy consumers have multiple energy assets at their disposal –onsite generation, possibly onsite storage,
maybe untapped ability for demand management. As well as a retail electricity supply contract, and they may now also have renewable electricity contracts.
In recent years we’ve identified material savings for our industrial customers by finding the opportunities in all that complexity. It’s no easy task, but once done, consumers can plainly see the value of energy efficiency, demand management, and demand response.
Load flexibility is a major asset to the grid of the future. As we upgrade our buildings, production facilities, and homes, and add onsite solar or batteries, EV charging, and smart technology we need to be thinking about improving the capability to flex our loads and encouraging changing consumption patterns.
Improving capability for flexing load also improves grid resilience. And, of course, energy and decarbonisation are intrinsically linked, as the energy system is responsible for some 75 per cent of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. Consumers big and small should be thinking holistically about all the energy efficiency, electrification, and energy management actions being part of a wider aim to decarbonise.
We need to teach the steps through price signals, understanding value, understanding, and improving demand management capability, and holistic thinking.
If demand is better managed, we can decarbonise and improve our grid much faster so that demand and generation can seamlessly dance in time across a decarbonised grid.
My hope is to see our grid be the first to achieve 24/7 carbon-free energy. It’s like the big lift in Dirty Dancing, a display of partners taking flight and partnering in unison.
For more information, visit se.com/au/en/
Renewable investors crave clear policy runway
As global investors increasingly turn their focus towards sustainable investments, Australia’s renewable energy sector presents both promising opportunities and daunting challenges.
Recent policy developments, from the opposition Coalition to potentially “cap” renewable energy investment if elected, have cast a shadow of uncertainty over the industry’s future, prompting calls for stability and clear direction from policymakers.
Say “no” to caps
In an exclusive interview with ecogeneration, Marilyne Crestias, Clean Energy Investor Group’s (CEIG) Interim Chief Executive Officer echoed the industry’s sentiments, emphasising that “substantial changes of policy direction would risk derailing the momentum we have built for Australia’s decarbonisation journey”.
Crestias warned that proposals from the opposition Coalition introduce detrimental uncertainty to the industry.
In a recent survey of CEIG members, every single respondent agreed that policy and regulatory uncertainties influence their investment decisions and project timelines.
This hesitation could lead to delays in crucial projects and higher costs for consumers in the long run.
“Imposing a cap on renewable energy investment at this critical juncture would be a regressive policy that would introduce substantial sovereign risk and dampen the global attractiveness of Australia as a destination for clean energy investors,” Crestias said.
“Billions of dollars in renewable investment decisions have already been made in Australia, based on the current stable policy environment.”
However, Crestias said the sudden change of policies, as proposed by the federal opposition, would undermine the foundation of Australia’s clean energy environment, and the consequences would extend far beyond just domestic impacts.
“Wavering on Australia’s established emissions reduction targets signals instability in our commitment to the renewable energy future that is essential for attracting the global capital required to
achieve our climate goals,” Crestias said.
“Clean energy investors seek policy certainty, and abrupt changes hampering the economics of their capital-intensive projects will inevitably see that investment flow diverted to other markets.”
The key to unlocking potential
According to Crestias institutional investors are emerging as crucial players in Australia’s clean energy transition.
These financial entities, with their substantial global capital pools, are poised to provide the megawatt capacity essential for Australia’s future electricity supply.
“Institutional investors represent the largest pools of global capital, ready to deliver the megawatt capacity needed to secure Australia’s required future electricity supply,” Crestias said.
This influx of capital not only addresses Australia’s energy needs but also introduces new competition to the National Electricity Market (NEM).
Crestias said that for the first time since
Marilyne Crestias calls for a joint effort from both the government and private investors to build Australia’s renewable future.
the vertical integration resurgence in the 2000s, institutional investors are challenging the NEM “gentailer” oligopoly.
This increased competition could potentially reduce wholesale power prices, benefiting consumers nationwide. Additionally, these investors often have the lowest global investment hurdles, further enhancing market cost efficiencies.
However, significant challenges remain.
Crestias highlighted that regulatory and approval delays as major obstacles for clean energy projects.
“Investors have identified that the primary challenges are regulatory and approval delays, including lengthy processes for environmental approvals, planning approvals, grid connection approvals, and transmission buildout delays,” she said.
These bureaucratic hurdles not only extend project timelines but also introduce uncertainty that may deter potential investors. Crestias said another critical issue is the evolving landscape of market risk allocation. The changing dynamics between generators, government, and networks create complex uncertainties, including concerns over ancillary service costs, negative pricing, curtailment risks, and the impact of government funding schemes and coal closure schedules.
These factors can undermine investor confidence and potentially impede the renewable energy sector’s growth.
To fully leverage institutional investors’ potential, Crestias advocates for a multifaceted approach.
She said the need for governments to strategically reduce transition risks for emerging technologies while allowing the private sector to lead in established areas.
“The private sector is best placed to be a majority asset owner of established technologies,” Crestias said.
Furthermore, Crestias is calling for supportive policies, funding mechanisms, and incentives to foster a more favourable investment environment.
These measures should aim to mitigate financial risks and align with broader government objectives.
For instance, contracted revenues through mechanisms like the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) could provide the stability investors seek, while advancing national energy goals.
Balancing the energy mix
Crestias is confident that a diverse renewable energy portfolio is crucial for Australia’s
continued energy security and resilience well into the futre.
“We need a variety of sources of low-cost electricity, such as wind and solar, not just having one technology but a range of technologies available in a variety of locations,” she said.
This strategy is essential for ensuring a reliable energy supply in Australia’s vast and climatically diverse landscape.
The CEIG’s vision for Australia’s energy future prioritises proven, scalable renewable technologies, excluding nuclear energy.
“Directing resources towards nuclear energy development does not align with the urgency of transitioning to cleaner energy sources in a timely and cost-efficient manner,” Crestias said.
Energy storage solutions, such as batteries and pumped hydro, are critical components of a balanced energy mix.
These technologies, along with strategic investments in transmission infrastructure, are vital for managing the variability of renewable sources and ensuring grid stability.
The recent approval of offshore wind farm zones, particularly off the Illawarra coast, marks a significant milestone.
“Offshore wind development will support the National Electricity Market in achieving the step change scenario outlined in the Australian Energy Market Operator Integrated System Plan.” Crestias said.
This scenario is crucial for accelerating the decarbonisation of the electricity supply sector in line with Australia’s Paris Climate Agreement commitments.
However, the transition to a renewabledominated energy mix faces challenges, particularly in energy storage financing.
Investors face complex business models with multiple income streams and shorter asset lifespans compared to conventional generation projects, potentially leading to higher risk premiums.
To unlock the full potential of energy storage and attract necessary investment, Australia needs to develop new market structures and revenue streams.
Crestias is advocating for creating new storage-related services that recognise the value of critical grid functions such as inertia, system strength, and voltage control.
According to her, this approach would align with international best practices and foster a more robust ecosystem for storage investment, ultimately supporting Australia’s transition to a balanced, renewable energy future.
Vital steps to renewable future
As Australia stands at a critical juncture in its clean energy transition, Crestias has outlined vital steps to secure the nation’s renewable future over the next five to 10 years.
Crestias is pushing for enhancing the assessment process for renewable energy projects under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), and swiftly adopting the Renewable Electricity Guarantee of Origin (REGO) scheme to accelerate decarbonisation and provide investment certainty.
As a result, she is calling for reforms to the Your Future, Your Super (YFYS) framework to unlock superannuation capital for the energy transition, significantly boosting sector investment.
Additionally, she stresses the necessity of certainty around coal-fired power station closures, promoting a balanced approach that combines incentives and regulatory measures, alongside building replacement generation to ensure system reliability and security.
Investment in long-duration storage and expedited network infrastructure development are also crucial.
Crestias said the need for a regulatory framework that supports the fast-tracked approval of multiple projects in parallel.
“Such a plan, underpinned by stable policy, is projected to deliver lower wholesale energy prices in the medium and long term,” she said.
“This will positively impact other sectors, including transport and industry, delivering broader benefits to the wider economy.”
Image: lovelyday12/stock.adobe.com
Australia needs a variety of sources of low-cost electricity, according to Crestias.
Bin to the future
As Australia embraces its National Battery Strategy, the importance of effective battery recycling cannot be overstated.
With electric vehicles on the rise and large-scale energy storage projects proliferating across the country, the volume of lithium-ion batteries reaching endof-life is set to skyrocket in the coming years.
Developing a robust domestic battery recycling industry is not just an environmental imperative, but a critical economic and national security priority for Australia, according to Dr. Yanyan Zhao, research scientist at Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) who specialise in lithium-ion battery recycling technologies.
The urgent call
Australia is already a global leader in lithium production, supplying over 50 per cent of the world’s lithium, but as demand for batteries continues to surge, recycling will become an increasingly important complement to mining in securing supplies of critical battery materials.
According to Zhao, recycling spent batteries requires far less raw material than mining to produce the same amount of lithium and other valuable metals.
“To extract one tonne of lithium from brine in North America, you need nearly 750 tonnes of raw material. From Australian lithium mines, it’s around 250 tonnes of ore. But from recycled lithium-ion batteries, you only need 28 tonnes to produce one tonne of lithium,” Zhao said.
This efficiency makes urban mining of spent batteries an extremely attractive proposition as the world seeks to meet exploding demand for battery materials.
Beyond the economic incentives, developing domestic recycling capabilities is crucial for Australia’s resource security and sovereignty.
“For national security, it’s beneficial to have our own battery value chain. In the future, energy will heavily rely on renewable sources, which are not always stable. Batteries are an important element of the energy transition journey. If we purely rely on other countries to provide batteries for us, we lose our national security,” Zhao said.
Current challenges
Despite the clear need, Australia’s battery recycling infrastructure remains underdeveloped compared to other major economies.
Zhao pointed out that there are currently no commercial-scale battery recycling facilities in Australia capable of extracting and recovering the valuable metals from spent lithium-ion batteries.
While there are a handful of facilities that can sort and shred batteries, the “black mass” (the shredded, processed mixture of valuable metals from lithium-ion batteries) they produced must still be shipped overseas for further processing and metal recovery.
This lack of domestic processing capacity
means Australia is missing out on capturing the full value of its battery waste stream.
It also increases the environmental footprint of recycling, as batteries must be transported long distances for processing.
“The current volume of spent lithium-ion batteries in Australia is still relatively low, making it difficult to achieve the economies of scale needed for profitable recycling operations,” Zhao said.
On the other end, establishing a full-scale battery recycling facility with metal extraction capabilities in Australia sounds like a difficult task, as it requires significant upfront investment, which can be prohibitive for start-ups and smaller companies.
Unlike some other countries, Australia hasn’t got to the stage of having policies in place to prevent the export of spent lithium ion batteries or providing strong incentivise domestic recycling.
Zhao said that companies interested in establishing recycling operations face unclear and inconsistent regulations across different states, creating barriers to entry.
Innovative solutions
Despite these challenges, researchers like Zhao are developing innovative technologies that could help jumpstart Australia’s battery recycling industry.
One promising area of focus is the recovery of battery electrolyte salts, a
critical and valuable component that is often overlooked in current recycling processes.
Zhao’s team at CSIRO has developed a novel technology to recover these salts in a pure form at the very beginning of the recycling process that can be used for making new batteries.
Traditional methods of battery recycling create considerable amounts of toxic waste and would damage equipment severely with the acid it generates, which all add a lot of costs to the recycling company.
But Zhao’s new technology not only creates an additional high-value product stream, but also eliminates many of the downstream processing challenges caused by electrolyte decomposition.
“If battery recycling processes can retrofit this technology at the front end, the total operating cost can be reduced by around 30 per cent,” Zhao said.
This type of innovation could significantly improve the economics of battery recycling in Australia while also reducing environmental impacts.
Zhao pointed out other areas of technological development include advanced battery discharging, battery reuse systems, dry shredding under nitrogen blanket, as well as more environmentally friendly hydrometallurgical processes (which use aqueous solutions to extract metals from ores or wastes) for metal extraction and graphite recovery.
Advances in these areas will be critical for establishing a world-class battery recycling industry in Australia.
The path forward
To fully capitalise on the opportunities presented by battery recycling, Australia will need a coordinated effort from government, industry, and research institutions.
According to Zhao, the government should consider implementing policies to encourage domestic recycling and discourage the export of spent batteries.
This could include landfill bans, recycled content requirements for new batteries, and financial incentives for recyclers.
Regulatory clarity is also essential, as clear, consistent regulations for battery recycling operations across all states would reduce barriers to entry for new recycling ventures.
Zhao also called for more investments in research, as this would be crucial for continuing to develop costeffective and environmentally friendly recycling processes.
While developing domestic capabilities is crucial, Australia could also seek to collaborate with other clean energy leaders like Europe, the United States and China to share knowledge and best practices in battery recycling.
By taking these steps, Australia can position itself as a leader in sustainable
battery technology, creating new economic opportunities while supporting its transition to renewable energy.
“Battery recycling is complementary to the mining industry. For the next couple of decades, we’ll still need to mine those metals to meet rapid growing demand,” Zhao said.
“But after a few decades, when everyone has an electric vehicle and demand stabilises, we’ll be able to recycle batteries to supply most of materials for making new ones.”
The time to act is now
Zhao further explained that with those major energy storage projects launched in 2017-2018 approaching the end of their lifespan, and electric vehicle adoption accelerating, Australia will soon face a wave of spent batteries requiring responsible management.
“By investing in domestic recycling capabilities today, we can turn this impending waste challenge into an opportunity for innovation, job creation, and enhanced resource security,” She said.
“Battery recycling is not just about managing waste – it’s about securing Australia’s place in the clean energy economy of the future.”
“With the right investments and policy support, Australia can build on its strengths as a battery mineral powerhouse to become a global leader in sustainable, closed-loop battery production and recycling.”
Dr Zhao said used batteries are precious resources, not waste.
Australian inverter guide 2024:
A reference for solar installers
With Australia leading the world in rooftop solar uptake, inverter technology is rapidly evolving to keep pace. ecogeneration’s annual installer guide helps solar installers stay up to date with the latest innovations and standards as part of the nation’s clean energy revolution.
Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) has been established as a not-for-profit organisation to advance the effective accreditation of designers and installers in accordance with the SRES Scheme, which covers both on and off grid solar, wind and hydro systems.
As established by Master Electricians Australia and the Smart Energy Council, SAA is an independent and standalone organisation, with an independent chair and governance structure.
The Clean Energy Regulator appointed SAA the installer and designer accreditation scheme operator (ASO) in February 2024, with a three-month transition period.
What is an inverter?
Rooftop solar is doing much of the heavy lifting in Australia’s transition to clean energy and leading the world in the uptake of rooftop solar. As increasing numbers of households and businesses embrace the benefits of photovoltaic electricity generation, solar and
inverter innovation is rapidly evolving to cater to the nation’s energy needs.
An inverter or power conversion equipment (PCE) simply converts direct current (DC) from a solar array, batteries or other DC source into alternating current (AC) which is suitable to export to the grid or run appliances. Its output must be pure sine wave.
All inverters must comply with the AS/ NZS4777.2: 2020 edition and be listed on the SAA approved inverter list if you want to create small-scale technology certificates (STCs).
If an inverter isn’t on the list, don’t install it.
All inverters must be installed in accordance with Australian Standards and under SAA guidelines.
Inverter categories and sub-categories
• Grid-connected (GC) inverters
• String
• Central
• Micro
• DC optimisers
• Hybrid (with battery storage)
• Multi-mode inverters
• Back-up mode
• UPS mode
• Standalone inverters
What is a grid-connected inverter?
A grid-connected (GC) inverter is connected to the grid with capability to export power into the grid or supply loads in parallel to the grid. A grid-connected inverter must synchronise to the grid – or other AC source – to operate. When the grid is interrupted or goes outside its pre-set frequency or voltage limits, the grid-connected inverter must shut down (anti-islanding function).
String inverters
This is the most popular type of inverter used in small-scale solar systems. PV modules connected in series are joined to a string inverter with a DC cable. In residential solar systems, only one is typically required, usually mounted close to the electrical switchboard.
The Clean Energy Regulator appointed SAA as the installer and designer accreditation scheme operator.
The number and configuration of the solar modules connected to a string inverter must not exceed the input voltage and current specifications of the inverter. String inverters may have one or more multiple power point tracker (MPPT) connections.
Central inverters
A central inverter is usually only used on solar installations above 1MW. All the solar strings are wired back to a central point, which may make monitoring and maintenance easier, however it presents a single point of failure.
Microinverters
A microinverter is a very small inverter sized for each PV module. Micros are mounted under the panel and convert the DC current from the PV module into an AC current. They are connected from the PV module to the switchboard with an AC cable. Each microinverter acts as an individual MPPT for the connected PV module.
DC optimisers
DC optimisers – otherwise known as DC
conditioning units – are technically not inverters as they need to be connected to a special string inverter near the switchboard. The main difference between a DC optimiser and microinverter is the DC from the PV module is connected to the inverter with DC cable.
Hybrid inverter
The PV array is directly connected to the hybrid inverter as well as the grid. The hybrid inverter will charge the battery storage and converts the DC current from the battery storage into AC current for the attached loads. Hybrid inverters do not supply AC current when the grid is disconnected.
What is a multi-mode inverter?
A multi-mode inverter operates in more than one mode – it operates from the grid when available and in off-grid mode when the grid is disconnected. A multimode inverter requires battery storage to be connected to operate in off-grid mode.
Back-up mode
Multi-mode inverters with back-up or
off-grid functionality operate from the grid when available. When the grid is interrupted, the multi-mode inverter shuts down then restarts in the back-up or off-grid mode. There is a time lapse of about five seconds between the grid and off-grid mode, which will shut down all connected appliances in that time.
UPS mode
A multi-mode inverter with UPS functionality operates from the grid when available. However, when the grid is interrupted, the changeover from grid to off-grid is instantaneous (less than 30 milliseconds) and connected appliances will not shut down.
What is a standalone inverter?
A standalone inverter does not need the grid to be connected to supply AC power to the loads. A standalone inverter is connected to battery storage that is recharged by PV or another renewable source. A genset may also be connected.
The standalone inverter can be the same as a multi-mode inverter but cannot have a connection to the grid.
ecogeneration’s annual installer guide helps solar installers stay up to date.
The
latest AS/NZS 4777.2: 2020 impacts all SOLAR DESIGNERS and INSTALLERS
The latest edition of the Australian Standard AS/NZS4777.2: 2020 Grid Connection of Energy Systems Via Inverters, Part 2: Inverter Requirements is mandatory so solar designers and installers need to get up to speed.
Designers and installers should ensure they check the SAA-approved inverter list – don’t just take a salesperson’s word for it.
Changes and additions
The preface in AS/NZS4777.2: 2020 lists nine significant changes and additions. Here, we address three that designers and installers must know:
1) Inverter set points:
In response to addressing the many problems solar owners are experiencing with grid security and power quality in recent years, distributed network service providers (DNSP) have implemented local inverter set points. These are designed to respond to grid fluctuations and keep inverter systems connected to the grid longer. It is an installer’s responsibility to select the correct region during the initial commissioning phase and to ensure inverter set points match the local DNSP’s requirements.
This has now been formalised in AS/ NZS4777.2: 2020 to make the installer’s job easier, although larger projects may have different set points so check with the DNSP.
AS/NZS 4777.2 2020 Table 3.6 lists the volt-watt response default set-point values and Table 3.7 lists the volt-var default set-point values.
Australia’s electrical distribution network has been divided into three regions and set points are defined for each region. Inverter manufacturers will include these in their initial configuration process of the inverter so for the installer it will be as simple as A, B, C or NZ.
2) Export and generation limits
DNSP regularly puts export and generation limits on inverter generation to protect their networks. AS/NZS4777.2 clauses 6.2 and 6.3 formalise both soft and hard limits for generation and export limit control.
3) Standalone power systems (SAPS)
In SAPS systems, there are new requirements for earth fault/earth leakage detection. AS/NZS 4777.2: 2020 clause 2.4.2 states: “Where an inverter has a port for
Australia A: Systems connected to the National Electricity Market: NSW, ACT, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania.
Australia B: Systems connected to the Southwest Interconnected System (SWIS) in Western Australia, from Kalbarri in the southwest corner of the state, to Kalgoorlie in the east.
Australia C: For isolated or remote power systems. New Zealand: All systems in New Zealand.
connecting a battery system installation that requires an alarm for monitoring of earth faults in conformance to AS/NZS 5139, the inverter should provide an alarm. Where no alarm is provided in the inverter, the inverter documentation shall require the addition of an external alarm and monitoring device.”
If AC coupling your SAPS, the GC PV inverter will most likely have inbuilt earth fault/earth leakage detection.
In DC coupled SAPS systems, the charge controller may not have inbuilt earth fault/ earth leakage detection so an additional monitoring device may be required. Whatever the scenario, it is the installer’s responsibility to comply.
Keeping compliant
This information is a guide only. Solar designers and installers should be familiar with all the changes and new requirements of AS/NZS4777.2: 2020.
If you sign off the job, you are legally responsible for it being compliant, so don’t risk your livelihood by not knowing the new requirements in the industry-approved inverter list
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TROUBLESHOOTING when installing inverters
Here are the primary mistakes made when installing inverters:
• Voltage rise – cable between inverter and switchboard is too small
• Inverter PV plugs and sockets where fitted: Ensure only mated with those of same type from same manufacturer
• Inverter region settings not correctly set
• PV module voltages and current not matched to attached inverter
• Inverter clipping caused by connecting too many PV modules
• Too many microinverters on a branch
• Not following manufacturer’s instructions, especially in relation to clearances and ventilation
• Location: Inverter installed in direct sunlight or open to weather (check the IP rating)
• W hen mounting an inverter, think switchboard and apply the same mounting conditions (AS/NZS 3000)
• System not tested in accordance with AS/NZS 3000 Section 8: Verification, AS/NZS 4777 and AS/ NZS 5033.
Who is responsible?
As a licensed electrician and accredited Solar Accreditation Australia designer/ installer, when you sign-off on the electrical, solar design and/or solar installation you take legal responsibility that the design/installation is correct and that it meets all the standards and Solar Accreditation Australia Guidelines.
If you are working as a subcontractor to a solar retailer and the retailer requires you to sign off on their design aspects, you are taking on the retailer’s design liabilities, often for little or no extra reward.
Be careful, if it is not right, don’t sign off on it. In the worst-case scenario, it can cost you your livelihood and even your home.
SHADING AND ORIENTATION issues
Orientation
On many residential jobs, the hardest part of PV design is finding enough roof area, so all panels are facing the same direction. AS/ NZS5033:2021 cl 2.1.6 states: “PV modules that are electrically in the same series string shall be within +5 degrees azimuth and +5 degrees tilt angle.” This is where DC optimisers come into their own. If each PV module has an optimiser, PV modules performing differently affect the other PV modules less. Microinverters are also a good solution for orientation issues, as they work completely independently.
Shading
PV modules have bypass diodes to help solve the problem of faulty cells and shading. When a PV module is sufficiently shaded, some or all of the bypass diodes will close, allowing current to bypass the affected part or parts of the module.
A quality inverter with a powerful MPPT algorithm will get the most possible out of a shaded string regardless of which bypass diodes have activated.
DC optimisers can assist further with shading using impedance matching, which allows the highest amount of possible current to flow through the string.
Microinverters are a good solution to shading, although when some or all of the bypass diodes are activated in a module, microinverter output will be affected.
• Entire system a ected by one module
• Susceptible to soiling, shading and module defects
“Before
installing any inverter, check the model is current on the SAA approved inverter list.”
• All modules controlled independently
• Resilient to environmental factors
Before installing any inverter, check the model is current on the Solar Accreditation Australia approved inverter list. This ensures it complies with AS/NZS 4777.2: 2020 and you will be able to create small-scale technology certificates (STCs).
Pros and cons of INVERTERS TESTING AND COMMISSIONING your inverter:
Some jurisdictions require inverters to be compatible with dynamic export capability. Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) approved inverter list can be referenced for this compatibility, noted under “SAA Compliance”.
INVERTERSPROS
GC string Inverter
• Low cost per watt, usually the cheapest of all options
• Location of inverter (near the switchboard, easy for servicing)
• Easy to install More efficient when no shading issues
GC central inverter
• Ideal for 1MW-plus systems
• Engineered for reliability
• Less points of failure on large installations
Micro-inverters Ideal for PV modules facing different orientations
• System monitoring provides individual PV module data
• Ideal for PV arrays with shading issues
• Easy to expand the PV array as all PV modules don’t need to be the same
DC optimisers
Hybrid
Multi-mode with back-up mode
• Ideal for PV modules facing different orientations
• Ideal for PV arrays with shading issues
• System monitoring provides individual PV module data
• Safe DC voltages when not connected to inverter
• Inverter charges battery storage
• Cheaper and easier to install than separate inverters
• Battery storage can be attached at a later date
Multi-mode with UPS mode
• Battery storage can be attached at a later date
• Instantaneous changeover between grid and UPS mode so does not shut down appliances
Stand-alone inverters
• Does not need a grid connection
• May be a cheaper solution than extending the grid
• Uses battery storage for 24/7 AC energy
• Uses renewable sources (PV, wind, hydro) to charge the battery storage
CONS
• PV arrays must be same orientation otherwise a GC inverter must have multiple MPPT (different to string connections)
• Single point of failure
• PV modules in shade will affect the output of the whole string
One faulty PV module will lower the output from all the PV modules in the string
Standard string inverter not battery-ready
• * Big and bulky, and needs plenty of room
• * More expensive than individual string inverters
More expensive than a string inverter
• One micro for each PV module required
• Servicing is harder as each micro is under the PV module
• Mounted with the PV module makes micros more susceptible to extreme weather conditions
• Still requires an inverter, mounted near the switchboard
• Generally less efficient than dedicated solar-only or battery-only inverters
• Changeover between grid and back-up takes five seconds so appliances shut down
• Must have battery storage installed to work in back-up mode
• Must have battery storage installed to work in back-up mode
AS/NZS 4777.1: 2016 Section 7, System Documentation and Commissioning spells out your legal obligations.
At the completion of the installation of an inverter, documentation should ensure key system information is readily available to customers, inspectors, maintenance personnel and emergency service personnel (AS/NZS 4777.1: 2016 Cl 7.1).
Verification of the inverter shall be carried out in accordance with the requirements of AS/NZS 3000 prior to energising and placing the installation into service (AS/NZS 4777.1: 2016 Cl 7.3).
See the Solar Accreditation Australia’s advice on testing and commissioning. After inspection and testing has been completed, the system is to be commissioned by energising the inverter in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
The following specific tests shall be performed, and the results documented on the commission sheet (AS/NZS 4777.1: 2016 Cl 7.6).
1. Operate the main switch (inverter supply) and verify the connection time is greater than 60 seconds.
2. Isolate the main switch (mains supply) under load and verify the inverter disconnection time is less than two seconds.
3. Program/verify the inverter set point region setting is correct for the inverter location.
• Complexity of system
• Quite expensive
• Requires ongoing maintenance
• May need a genset to cover when renewable sources are low
4. Record all settings.
5. Check the shutdown procedure is correct and results in a safe shutdown of the inverter.
6. Set export limit settings if specified by DNSP.
Microinverters, macro impact
In the rapidly evolving world of solar technology, Hoymiles is setting new benchmarks with its innovative microinverters.
Offering unmatched efficiency and reliability, these microinverters are helping transform how users harness solar power.
Unmatched reliability
Traditional inverters pose significant risks due to the high direct current voltage they carry, which can lead to electric shocks and fire hazards.
Hoymiles microinverters, however, are connected in parallel, with each inverter carrying a voltage of just 40 volts (V).
This low voltage eliminates the danger of electric shock and fire hazards from the outset, ensuring a safe and stable solar energy system.
Operating at safer voltage and supported by IP67 enclosure ratings, Hoymiles microinverters are designed to guarantee the utmost safety for any property.
This high level of safety is further enhanced by cloud monitoring capabilities, allowing potential issues to be promptly identified and addressed, ensuring aroundthe-clock safety.
The reliability and efficiency of Hoymiles’
microinverters is further demonstrated by its rigorous testing that exceeds standard certification requirements.
With global certifications and extensive environmental and electrical testing, these microinverters are built to withstand the harshest conditions, making them a dependable choice for solar energy systems.
Durability you can count on Hoymiles microinverters are engineered for long-term performance.
The company’s commitment to durability is evident in its warranty program, which offers a standard 12-year warranty that can be extended up to an impressive 25 years.
This long-term warranty provides peace of mind to users, knowing that their investment is protected.
Hoymiles products undergo stringent environmental and electrical tests to ensure they can endure various conditions.
Additionally, the microinverters are designed with robust surge protection, capable of withstanding up to 6000V, ensuring they remain functional even during extreme weather events.
Affordable excellence
Hoymiles is driven by a vision for a cleaner and more sustainable future, aspiring to lead the smart energy industry through the deployment of robust technology and reliable products.
A core part of this vision is making advanced solar technology accessible to a wider audience. Hoymiles lives by its motto: “to make good technology more impactful by lowering its cost and making it accessible to more people”.
The affordability of Hoymiles microinverters does not come at the expense of quality. Despite its competitive pricing, these microinverters offer superior performance and reliability.
The company’s focus on cost-efficiency ensures that more people can benefit from renewable energy solutions without a prohibitive upfront investment.
Outstanding performance
When comparing different types of inverters – central inverters, string inverters, and microinverters – it becomes clear why Hoymiles microinverters are a
Hoymiles microinverters operate at safer voltage and are supported by IP67 enclosure ratings.
Images:
Hoymiles
superior choice for many applications.
Central inverters are typically used in large-scale solar installations, offering high output capacity.
However, they present a significant drawback: a single point of failure risk that can disrupt the entire system.
This vulnerability makes them less suitable for smaller or residential installations where system reliability is crucial.
String inverters, on the other hand, are common in residential and commercial solar systems.
While they are generally cheaper than microinverters, the performance is limited by the least efficient panel in the string.
This means that if one panel is shaded or underperforming, it can drag down the efficiency of the entire string.
Moreover, if a string inverter fails, the entire row of panels connected to it stops producing power, potentially leading to significant energy loss.
Microinverters, such as those produced by Hoymiles, offer distinct advantages over both central and string inverters.
Each solar panel or a small group of panels has its own microinverter, eliminating the single point of failure risk.
This design ensures continuous power production even if one unit fails, as the rest of the system remains unaffected.
Furthermore, microinverters allow for monitoring and optimisation of individual panels, maximising overall system efficiency.
This level of granular control and resilience makes Hoymiles’ microinverters
an ideal choice for those seeking to maximise their solar investment and ensure consistent energy production.
Hoymiles’ microinverters capitalise on the advantages of microinverter technology. By eliminating the limitations of string inverters and the single point of failure risk of central inverters, Hoymiles microinverters provide a more resilient and efficient solution for solar power systems.
Efficiency and performance
Hoymiles’ microinverters utilise modulelevel maximum power point tracking (MPPT), ensuring each solar panel operates at its maximum power point independently.
This feature is crucial for optimising the energy output of each panel, especially in conditions where shading, dust, or other obstructions might affect some panels but not others.
The efficiency of an inverter is often represented by an efficiency curve, which shows how well the inverter converts DC power to AC power under various conditions.
A good efficiency curve for an inverter should rise quickly, indicating good lowlight performance, and remain flat without significant drops, indicating consistent performance under different conditions.
Hoymiles microinverters boast a high peak efficiency of 96.7 per cent, reflecting their ability to perform well across a wide range of operating conditions.
Scalability and flexibility
One of the standout features of Hoymiles’ microinverters is its scalability and flexibility.
Whether clients want to expand their system’s capacity in the future or make changes to solar panel configuration, Hoymiles’ microinverters provide a plugand-play solution.
Panels connected to each inverter can have different ratings, makes, or orientations, as each panel operates independently.
This eliminates the impact of shadow, dust, or bird droppings on adjacent panels, ensuring the continued efficiency of entire solar array.
Hoymiles is revolutionising solar technology with its leading microinverters, offering unparalleled reliability, durability, and affordability, combined with cutting-edge technology and a vision for a sustainable future. For more information, visit hoymiles.com/au
Hoymiles microinverters are a superior choice for many applications.
Hoymiles’ microinverters are an ideal choice for those seeking to maximise their solar investment and ensure consistent energy production.
Australia’s multi-talented battery inverter
In a country where energy challenges are as vast as its landscapes, the ATESS PCS Series is emerging as a game-changer, offering Australian businesses a Swiss Army knife for power management in an increasingly complex energy market.
Enter the ATESS PCS Series – a range of bidirectional battery inverters that promises to revolutionise how commercial and industrial (C&I) users in Australia manage their energy needs.
The ATESS PCS Series stands out in the crowded energy market easily with its combination of versatility, high-power capacity, flexibility and advanced features. But what makes this series particularly appealing to Australian C&I users?
The PCS system’s versatility is particularly valuable in Australia’s diverse energy landscape.
In regions of Eastern Australia where grid stability is a concern, such as remote factories or mining operations, the PCS system can serve as a crucial and efficient backup energy solution, ensuring
continuous operations even during power fluctuations.
Meanwhile, in Western Australia, where commercial electricity prices tend to be higher, the system’s peak shaving and valley filling capabilities can be leveraged to significantly reduce electricity bills.
This dual functionality - providing both energy security and cost optimisationmakes the ATESS PCS Series an attractive proposition for businesses across the continent.
The system’s ability to integrate with renewable sources like solar also aligns well with Australia’s push towards cleaner energy and can help businesses meet sustainability targets.
Industrial users, particularly those in remote areas or with critical power needs,
stand to benefit greatly from the PCS Series’ high-power capacity and reliability.
The ability to create stable microgrids or provide seamless backup power can ensure continuity of operations even in challenging conditions.
With capacities ranging from 100 kilowatts (kW) to an impressive 1000kW, the PCS Series offers a solution for businesses of all sizes, from medium enterprises to large-scale industrial operations.
For larger power requirements, such as those in factories, ATESS offers a 1MW single-unit energy storage system that is currently unmatched in the Australian market. This product can seamlessly switch between on-grid and off-grid modes, filling a critical market gap.
The flexibility of the PCS Series is another advantage for Australian businesses and solve also the most critical issues in power management: uninterrupted supply.
In grid-connected mode, they can perform peak shaving and frequency modulation, helping businesses optimise their energy consumption and potentially reduce costs.
In off-grid mode, they can serve as backup power supplies or form the backbone of a microgrid system.
This flexibility is particularly valuable in Australia, where remote operations or unreliable grid connections in certain areas necessitate robust, independent power solutions.
With a seamless on/off grid switch time of ≤10 millisecond (ms), the PCS Series ensures that loads remain powered even during grid failures. This feature is particularly suitable for industries where even momentary power interruptions can lead to significant losses or safety issues.
The alternating current (AC) coupling option allows for easy integration with existing on-grid PV systems, while the direct current (DC) coupling solution provides superior stability and instantaneous switchover for large-scale industrial applications.
This flexibility in system design enables Australian businesses to make the most of their abundant solar resources while
ensuring system reliability. The built-in energy management function of the PCS Series is another feature that sets it apart.
By intelligently managing battery charging and discharging, the system improves both efficiency and safety.
This is crucial in Australia, where the push for greater energy independence often involves significant battery storage components.
Energy efficiency is a key concern for any business, and ATESS’s PCS Series delivers impressively in this area.
With a maximum efficiency of up to 99 per cent for the PCS1000, these inverters ensure that energy loss during conversion is minimised.
This high efficiency translates directly to cost savings and reduced environmental impact – both critical factors for Australian businesses striving to meet sustainability goals and manage operating expenses. The series also has incredible scalability.
In a country as vast and diverse as Australia, the ability to easily scale power solutions is crucial, as energy needs can vary dramatically from one region to another.
The PCS Series excels in this regard, offering the capability to parallel multiple units for virtually unlimited capacity in grid-connected mode.
Moreover, ATESS said the scalability of the system allows industrial users to
match their power solution precisely to their needs, avoiding over-investment in unnecessary capacity.
Remote monitoring and control capabilities further enhances the appeal of the PCS Series for Australian users.
In a country where distances between sites can be vast, the ability to monitor and manage power systems remotely via cloud servers or mobile apps is invaluable.
This feature not only reduces the need for on-site personnel but also allows for quicker response times to any issues that may arise.
The robustness of the PCS Series is also well-suited to Australia’s often harsh environmental conditions, with an operating temperature range of -25°C to 55°C, these inverters can handle everything from the scorching heat of the outback to the cooler climates of Tasmania.
As Australia faces energy challenges, including grid stability issues and renewable integration, solutions like the ATESS PCS Series will play a crucial role.
These systems provide flexible, efficient, and reliable power conversion and management, helping bridge the gap between traditional grid power and renewable energy sources.
The ATESS PCS Series offers Australian commercial and industrial users a robust solution to their energy needs.
For more information, visit atesspower.com
Sun-sational solar inverters
Rooftop and community solar installations are becoming integral to Australia’s energy landscape, creating an unprecedented need for high-quality inverters and batteries.
Growatt, a world leader in the solar inverter market, has positioned itself at the forefront of this revolution with a suite of innovative products tailored for Australian consumers.
ecogeneration explores how Growatt’s latest offerings are shaping the future of energy in the sunburnt country.
The cornerstone of Growatt’s strategy is its extensive range of energy storage solutions.
Spanning from 2.5kW to 100kW for inverters, paired with lithium batteries ranging from 5kWh to 200kWh, this lineup caters to diverse energy needs across residential and commercial sectors.
This breadth of options ensures that Australian consumers can find solutions that perfectly match their specific requirements and budget constraints.
For the residential market, Growatt has introduced the SPH 3-6K-HUB, an all-inone storage solution.
SPH 3-6K-HUB exemplifies the company’s commitment to user-friendly and efficient energy systems. This integrated unit features a built-in smart meter and self-diagnostic capabilities, significantly simplifying the installation process and reducing setup time for electricians.
The SPH 3-6K-HUB’s intelligent monitoring and management system ensures optimal performance and reliability, addressing key concerns for Australian consumers who prioritise longterm efficiency and low maintenance costs. With features like easy installation, integrated modular design, and a smart bypass function for critical loads, this system is well-suited to the Australian market, where consumers value both performance and convenience.
One of the most forward-thinking aspects of Growatt’s new product line is the emphasis on ‘battery ready’ inverters.
This concept allows Australian consumers to invest in solar energy
systems without immediately committing to battery storage. Currently, customers can use these battery-ready inverters as standard grid-tied inverters.
Growatt understands households might prefer to spread their investment over time or remain uncertain about their future energy storage needs so the company provides flexibility to add lithium batteries later.
For family, we offer two different choices, MIN 2.5-6KTL-XH2 and MOD 3-10KTLXH, incorporates this ‘battery ready’ concept. These inverters allow future upgrades to include energy storage without additional hardware.
With Type II surge protection on AC and DC side and an optional Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) function, the MOD series aligns with Australia’s stringent safety standards. Boasting high efficiency ratings and an IP66 protection rating, these inverters are also well-suited to Australia’s varied environments.
For small commercial applications, Growatt also offers the MID 10-30KTL3XH series.
These inverters feature high efficiency (up to 98.8 per cent), multiple maximum power point tracking (MPPT) inputs, and compatibility with high-voltage battery systems.
This series provides a future-proof solution for businesses looking to optimise their energy consumption and potentially reduce their reliance on the grid.
Larger commercial installations can benefit from the WIT 50-100kW Hybrid Inverter series, which offers scalable system configurations up to 300kW.
These inverters support critical features like UPS functionality, black start capability, and the ability to handle 100 per cent unbalanced loads during backup operations.
Such features are particularly valuable in the Australian context, where businesses increasingly seek resilient energy solutions that can withstand grid instabilities and power outages. It matches with the APX Commercial LFP batteries that adopt a redundant design and multi-level protection for robust safety. With an operational range of -10°C to 50°C, IP66
Growatt’s WIT 50-100kW Hybrid Inverter offers scalable system configurations up to 300kW.
Images: Growatt
protection, and scalability up to 200kWh, they’re suitable for outdoor installations. The control/power module enables energy optimisation, supporting full charge/ discharge and the mixing of new and old battery packs or batteries of different SOC.
In a country where energy prices have been a persistent concern, Growatt said its solutions offer pathways to greater energy independence and potentially significant cost savings.
“The ability to gradually upgrade from a
their financial capabilities and evolving energy needs,” the company said.
Growatt’s focus on high efficiency and advanced features involving whole system service, comprehensive smart monitoring capabilities and extreme safety and reliability. Its versatile product range caters to Australia’s diverse solar market, from suburban homes to large agricultural operations and urban businesses.
As the nation transitions to renewable
energy independence and cost savings while contributing to grid stability.
The inverters’ smart home integration and virtual power plant (VPP) compatibility also enhances its value in Australia’s evolving energy landscape. As VPPs gain traction, Growatt positions consumers to benefit from emerging market opportunities.
According to Growatt, to further enhance Australian user’s installation experience, it has also incorporated several innovative features, including an integrated smart meter, one-click diagnostic tools, pre-wired cables, and a smart bypass function.
These features not only significantly reduces the time and effort required by installers, but allows them to complete the job more efficiently.
“By working closely with local installers, distributors, and industry organisations for nearly 18 months, we’ve developed a solution that truly addresses the unique challenges faced by the Australian solar market,” Growatt said.
“We’re confident that this all-in-one energy storage solution will play a pivotal role in driving down installation costs and time, ultimately making solar more accessible to Australian.”
Growatt’s MID10-30KTL3-XH provides a future-proof solution for businesses.
Growatt’s SPH 3-6K HUB is an all-in-one storage solution well-suited to the Australian market.
THE SOLAR INSTALLER
The future of recycling solar panels
ENERGY MARKET TRENDS REVEALED
The future of recycling solar panels
Emily Perrin, environmental law specialist and former Clean Energy Council Policy Officer for distributed energy resources discusses how to manage solar panels which no longer have the capacity to be reused.
Former Clean Energy Council Policy Officer Emily Perrin.
Image: Clean Energy Council
Year after year Australia has been taking the top spot in most rooftop solar installed per capita of any country in the world. We are a world leader, yet we do not have an answer to the impending deluge of solar PV panels reaching the end-of-life stage, and are not hitting the mark when it comes to creating a circular economy.
It is estimated that more than 3.7 million rooftop solar power systems have been installed across Australia since 2001. At present, the estimated operational lifespan of solar panels can be up to 30-35 years; with reputable manufacturers offering production warranties up to 25 years. However, many manufacturers offer significantly shorter warranties, and some consumers are upgrading and replacing their systems much sooner.
In some cases, solar panels are being taken off roofs after as little as five years of use.
The industry is making such great progress in increasing the efficiency and capacity of solar modules that households and businesses are upgrading their systems to attain the energy benefit of a more efficient system while discarding the older panels. This may be due to a range of reasons, including that there may not be sufficient space on roofs to add more panels, so owners are replacing entire systems; or, given the ever-changing technical standards, the original system is no longer compatible with new systems or Australian standards.
Solar PV systems taken off roofs prematurely are entering the waste stream much earlier than they need to, and are being treated as though they have reached their end-of-life.
There is currently no scheme in place
regulating the resale and re-installation of second-hand solar panels, meaning solar installers or homeowners find themselves in possession of perfectly good solar panels which are only able to be sold through unregulated platforms such as Facebook Marketplace for off-grid installs. There are many challenges to overcome to facilitate a market for used solar panels – in particular, ensuring adequate consumer protections and panel sufficiency tests are in place.
And there is another challenge. As we get further down the product lifecycle, how do we manage the solar panels which no longer have the capacity to be reused?
In March 2024, a report published by the University of New South Wales, in collaboration with Neoen and the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics, forecast that by 2035, the cumulative amount of waste from retired solar panels in Australia is expected to reach 1 million tonnes. 1
This represents both a challenge and an opportunity. A challenge not only because of the significant amount of waste coming our way, but because that waste is difficult to recycle. And an opportunity because of the growing value of the materials contained in solar panels and the growing need for a circular economy.
The increasing waste stream in Australia of clean energy systems poses a major risk to the cornerstone objectives of clean energy, namely that it is clean. If not managed correctly, the deluge of waste will detract from the great benefits renewable energy will bring.
Many states have taken steps to manage this new stream of waste by implementing landfill bans on solar panels, however questions remain as to where this waste should be diverted to, as there are currently
There is currently no scheme in place regulating the resale and re-installation of second-hand solar panels.
no recyclers of solar panels working at commercial scale in Australia. Many businesses are actively collecting and stockpiling solar panels while awaiting a solution.
The solar industry and waste management stakeholders recognise the increasingly concerning problem but are currently unable to progress recycling infrastructure and facilities due to lack of resources and governmental support.
Solar recycling involves highly complex processes and remains an emerging sector, with numerous financial and regulatory challenges to overcome. One of the main challenges is the feasibility of recycling solar panels. Currently, there is a very small return in recovering materials from solar panels in comparison to the upfront costs and lack of revenue in running a recycling facility for solar panels. This creates a relatively low incentive for recycling solar panels.
While it is promising to see that work is being done by the Federal Government to create a product stewardship scheme which, according to the Government, would help cover the issue of negative profit margins recyclers currently face. Despite these promising signs of government interest, there remain many unanswered questions and concerns surrounding it, including who will perform the material extraction, what exactly will be recycled, and where this will take place.
Government funding and support is needed to progress technology, infrastructure and facilities to allow for the nascent solar recycling industry to take off. With proper circular economies in place, we can ensure the transition to renewables is efficient and managed with minimal waste and environmental impact.
1R.Deng, V.Tan, C.Niu, R. Egan (March 2024) Scoping Study: Solar Panel End-of-Life Management in Australia, ACAP UNSW. https://www.acap.org.au/post /research-reports?fbclid=IwAR1HYWy0_S7j5RwrF2519NIEVYAEmeQjumZtBNuaqKABZjyuv7rosnEml0c
Qld’s Local Renewable Energy Zone plans to triple rooftop solar
The Queensland Government has announced plans to establish a Local Renewable Energy Zone (LREZ) pilot project in Townsville.
The initiative, part of Premier Steven Miles’ first budget, aims to triple solar rooftop generation and democratise access to renewable energy.
Queensland Energy and Clean Economy Jobs Minister Mick de Brenni said the LREZ project will put control of energy into
the community’s hands, which has been the main initiative.
“This initiative, which has been championed by local members in North Queensland and the Smart Energy Council, is only possible because collectively Queensland owns their energy distribution system,” he said.
“This exciting LREZ initiative, which is the first of its kind in Queensland, puts everything on the table, including more
affordable power, access to the benefits of rooftop solar for renters, innovative network solutions. But the one thing it won’t put on the table, is the LNP’s plans for privatisation of Queensland energy assets, or the harmful, radio-active waste the LNP plan on dumping up and down Queensland’s pristine coastline.”
The State Government has allocated $40 million for the Townsville Local Renewable Energy Zone (LREZ) pilot project, which is set to commence in January 2025.
The project will deploy up to 8.4 megawatt (MW)/18.8 megawatt-hour (MWh) of battery storage and support an additional 2.8MW of solar PV, along with 0.9MW of demand management.
The LREZ concept is designed to allow households with rooftop solar to transfer excess energy generated during the day into local batteries.
This stored energy can then be distributed to additional households during peak evening hours, benefiting those who previously lacked access to cheaper solar-generated electricity, such as renters, vulnerable customers, and residents of unit complexes.
The government’s funding package includes $3 million dedicated to optimising behind-the-meter customer assets, including solar PV, batteries, home energy management systems, and dynamic connections for the Townsville LREZ pilot project.
ARENA unveils funding for national community battery rollout
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced a major funding initiative for national community battery rollout.
The agency has conditionally approved up to $143 million to support the deployment of approximately 370 community batteries under its Community Battery Funding Round 1.
This program, set to benefit all states and the Northern Territory, is expected to unlock $359 million in renewable energy infrastructure investment.
The initiative aims to address local network constraints, expand rooftop solar capacity, reduce emissions, and lower electricity costs for a range of consumers including households, hospitals, schools, and facilities.
ARENA chief executive officer Darren Miller said ARENA is pleased to support the roll out of batteries through its transformative program which will have “a significant impact upon Australia’s energy and grid security”.
The funding, part of a larger $200 million Federal Budget allocation for the Community Batteries for Household Solar Budget Measure, will see ARENA
deliver at least 342 batteries to the area.
response to Round 1, with 140 eligible Expressions of Interest.
Funding has been conditionally allocated to 21 applications from 20 applicants, split between Distribution Network Service Providers (DNSPs) and non-DNSPs.
The approved batteries will have a combined storage capacity of up to 281MWh, enabling the storage and use of renewable electricity across Australian communities.
ARENA will contribute up to $0.51 per
Among the recipients are major energy providers such as Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy, Energex, and Western Power, as well as non-DNSP entities like the Department for Energy and Mining (SA), Enel X Australia, and Transport for NSW. The geographical distribution of the batteries is widespread, with New South Wales leading with 95 batteries, followed by Queensland with 69, and Victoria with 37. Some applications cover multiple states, accounting for an additional 95 batteries.
The LREZ project will put control of energy into the community’s hands.
The program is expected to unlock $359 million in renewable energy infrastructure investment.
Aussie researchers pioneer solar panel recycling
Australian researchers are making strides in developing solutions for solar panel recycling and recover valuable materials like silver and copper.
As the solar energy industry continues to grow, addressing the disposal of end-of-life panels is becoming increasingly important.
In Australia alone, it’s estimated that over 100,000 tonnes of solar panels will need to be disposed of by 2035. These panels contain billions of dollars’ worth of materials that could potentially be recaptured and reused through recycling.
RMIT University in Melbourne is leading an international network of researchers working to advance the reuse and recycling of solar panels. Recently, they unveiled a new work and exhibition space at the site of engineering company EDIPAE in Tomelloso, Spain.
The facility will serve as a local hub for researchers and industry partners to collaborate on developing more efficient and cost-effective methods for recovering valuable materials from recycled solar panels like silver, silicon, and copper.
EDIPAE director Carlos Miralles Sánchez said as the network’s industry partner in Spain, his company was proud to contribute to a circular economy model for solar panels.
“We now have a physical space to work with researchers on a cheaper and easier recycling solution through this
Australian technology,” Sánchez said.
“We also have a workshop for creating prototypes so ideas can be developed and exhibited to the public.”
The space houses a public exhibition showcasing different types of solar panels and the byproducts obtained after recycling them.
EDIPAE will also partner with local organisations to provide employment and training opportunities related to solar panel recycling.
According to RMIT’s Dr. Ylias Sabri,
while solar panels help reduce carbon emissions, the infrastructure for scrapping and effectively recycling them at end-of-life has been lacking historically throughout.
“Solar panels have a lifespan of 25 to 30 years and contain valuable metals including silver and copper,” he said.
“But there’s historically been little interest in recovering these strategic metals from discarded panels as it’s difficult and expensive to do, so they end up in landfill.”
AGL and Elecsome join forces on solar projects
AGL and Elecsome have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop a feasibility study for a solar panel recycling plant and solar cable manufacturing plant.
The two plants are proposed to sit within AGL’s Hunter Energy Hub Bayswater e-recycling precinct with the feasibility study determining the engineering and infrastructure requirements, as well as
environmental and regulatory approvals.
AGL general manager energy hubs Travis Hughes said with this partnership, the Hunter Energy Hub is starting to shape.
“Since the closure of the Liddell Power Station one year ago, we have signed MOUs that could bring battery recycling with renewable metals and solar panel manufacturing with SunDrive to the Hunter Energy Hub,” Hughes said.
“If successful, the establishment of a solar panel recycling plant and solar cable manufacturing plant with Elecsome will mean we have hosted several parts of the solar energy value chain with both manufacturing and recycling of grid-scale and residential solar panels at the Hunter Energy Hub.”
In Melbourne, Elecsome has successfully commissioned its first solar PV upcycling facility, where it transforms solar panels into new products used in construction and manufacturing.
AGL’s Hunter Energy Hub is set to be a low carbon integrated energy hub, designed with circular economy principles.
The Hunter Energy Hub is starting to shape.
RMIT University in Melbourne is leading an international network of researchers working to advance the reuse and recycling of solar panels.
Dynamic connections and emergency backstops: enhancing solar integration across Australia
Rooftop solar has played a significant role in reducing household energy bills, with over 3.7 million Australians having installed it on their homes and businesses.
Almost 40 per cent of electricity in Australia already comes from renewables. Rooftop solar has been a huge part of that, contributing over 11 per cent of electricity in 2023. As the transition to clean energy continues, some states are introducing requirements to enhance the integration of rooftop solar systems to the grid. These changes aim to make rooftop solar generation more valuable to the consumer and to the wider system.
A success story of rooftop solar has been that households with excess generation in the middle of the day have received payments through solar feed-in tariffs when feeding this excess back into the grid. This additional generation has reduced the cost of wholesale electricity prices.
On the flip side, excessive solar generation in the middle of the day has led to what is colloquially referred to as the
‘duck curve’. This is when increased solar generation displaces central generation, which needs to be retained at or above a minimum operating level to ensure the whole network remains reliable.
To combat the ‘duck curve’ as rooftop solar uptake increases, distribution businesses and state governments have looked at new ways to maximise solar generation while protecting the integrity of the grid.
Distributors have begun to introduce dynamic connection agreements, replacing static connection agreements. These dynamic agreements allow distribution businesses to manage solar generation through inverter settings, shifting some solar exports to times of the day or night when the network can best accommodate it.
In Queensland, which boasts one of the highest rates of rooftop solar installations
globally, dynamic connections are being used, allowing panels to adjust the amount of energy they produce and send to the grid. With flexible export and import options, they enable customers to optimise their use of solar generation while preventing overloading during peak production times: a win for both consumers and the network.
In Victoria, the introduction of emergency backstop mechanisms will better support grid stability and safety. From 1 October, all new, upgraded, or replacement rooftop solar systems in Victoria must comply with the state’s new requirements. Overseen by the Australian Electricity Market Operator, Victoria’s emergency backstop mechanism will enable the remote adjustment or disconnection of rooftop solar systems by distribution businesses, such as Ausnet or CitiPower. While it won’t interrupt the supply of
grid power to households, this measure will play a critical role during periods of minimum system load when the influx of solar energy could destabilise the power grid. The backstop will be deployed only when necessary and for the shortest time required, to ensure the network remains safe and reliable.
To support designers, installers and solar retailers in keeping up with these changes and providing consumers with the best possible advice, the Clean Energy Council provides a range of courses and training materials, including two essential courses for solar professionals: ‘Victorian Emergency Backstop’ and ‘Queensland Dynamic Connections’.
These courses are offered free of charge and participants can accrue continuous professional development points. Courses can be accessed through LearnLAB, the
Clean Energy Council’s education platform, which offers a comprehensive collection of courses and supporting materials and is available to all.
As Australia progresses towards a greener future, the integration of renewable energy sources like rooftop solar systems is playing a pivotal role. The new requirements in Queensland and Victoria are steps toward a more resilient and efficient energy grid.
For the solar industry, staying informed and prepared is key to thriving in this evolving market.
If you are looking for up-to-date information on rooftop solar and consumer
energy resources (CER) more broadly, particularly from a consumer-first perspective, earlier this year we published a national roadmap for CER: Powering homes, empowering people. The report outlines just how important CER is and what industry and policymakers need to focus on to ensure consumers are brought along on the CER journey.
By embracing upcoming changes and equipping themselves with knowledge, installers and retailers will continue to drive the growth of renewable energy in Australia, ensuring a sustainable and reliable energy future for all.
Clean Energy Council provides a range of courses and training materials, including two essential courses for solar professionals.
Courses can be accessed through LearnLAB, the Clean Energy Council’s education platform.
Market trends revealed
Marco Stella from CORE Markets provides a snapshot of Australia’s clean energy market.
Large-scale Generation Certificate (LGC) market
The LGC curve exhibited significant divergence between the front and back in June. Spot prices have risen to $46.75 at time of writing, recovering from a low of $44.40 earlier in the month. This upward movement appears attributed to reduced autumn wind generation and renewed purchasing activity at the start of the financial year. Meanwhile, the Cal24s and Cal25s have shown consistent trading patterns in parallel over recent weeks. However, the later vintages have faced selling pressure. Cal26 prices declined from $40.25 in early May to the current $34.75, marking a 13.65 per cent decrease. Similarly, Cal27s are currently trading at $30.75, and Cal28s at $27.50, both experiencing softening.
This trend might be influenced by anticipated capacity coming online during this period, with clearer start dates prompting increased market certainty.
Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) market
Following the Clearing House’s return to surplus in late May, spot market activity picked up with the price stable at $39.90 across the remainder of May and into June, where it remains at the time of writing.
CORE Markets provides an insight of the current market.
CORE Markets is an end-to-end markets, technology and climate solutions partner for business. The above information has been provided by CORE Markets and relates, unless otherwise indicated, to the spot prices in Australian dollars, as of 5 July 2024. Marco Stella is Head of Carbon and Renewable Markets at CORE Markets.
Interestingly, the clearing house did briefly dip back into deficit in the last week of June, though was back in surplus by the following day, it is likely we will see another deficit following Julys compliance date.
Energy Efficiency Markets (VEECs and ESCs)
The VEEC market remains in a state of tribulation, with an un-inspired pipeline of viable activities having steered the scheme towards the real possibility of falling short of the 2024 target. The price unsurprisingly continued to climb across May, having hit a new record level of $116.00 by the first week of June.
Fortunately, June saw an uptick in weekly creations, averaging circa 148k per week. While a significant portion of these June creations is likely the last of the 2023 certificates processed before the June 30th deadline, it remains to be seen if this increase also marks the anticipated engagement of activities by industry participants from outside the scheme. More likely, a meaningful contribution came from existing participants clearing their remaining residential products ahead of the ban on door-knocking and telesales starting August 1.
Following the uptick in creations, the spot price retreated from its high to $100.50 by the end of June. At the time of writing the price is back to $102.50 and seems likely to continue rising, especially in the wake of another unfavourable development to the activity pipeline, with the new fridge/freezer replacement activity scheduled to begin from July 1st no longer going ahead as planned.
The NSW scheme by comparison continued to post consist, healthy creation across May. Then, as expected, the deadline for both 2023 creation and others ahead of scheme changes impacting Heat Pump installations and fridge/freezer activities saw June post weekly creations figures of more than 1 million units. Resultingly, the ESC spot price continued to slide to its current level of $18.25.
Hope from sellers remains fixed on the changes to Heat Pump installations, fridge/ freezer activities, and anticipated changes to the commercial lighting activities to see supply reduce and prices strengthen again.
Excellence in Energy
Attendees hailed from several industries, including energy, mining, transport manufacturing, engineering, logistics, bulk handling, waste management, rail and construction and infrastructure.
The awards comprised 12 categories, including the newly introduced ‘Excellence in Energy’, sponsored by The Australian Pipeliner, Energy Today and ecogeneration
This category recognises an individual who has made a positive contribution to the renewables, pipeline or oil and gas industries.
While there were many worthy nominees in this category, it was Vesna Olles, Director of Strategy and Clean Energy at BOC, who took out the award.
BOC, a Linde company, supplies compressed and bulk gases, chemicals and equipment around the globe. The company specialises in developing safe, sustainable and innovative solutions for customers in many specialty sectors, heavy industry and medical environments.
Olles was recognised for her work in driving BOC’s efforts in clean energy, and advocation for the company’s investment in nationally significant projects that will support Australia’s transition to net zero emissions.
“Vesna has had a long successful career in the gas industry and drives our strategic direction in clean energy, including hydrogen, renewable fuels and liquified natural gas,” BOC said.
several nation-building projects, Vesna is enabling our transition to net zero emissions.”
Olles is also a strong advocate for females in the workplace, actively mentoring the women in her direct team, as well as in the wider business.
When receiving her award, Olles said it was a privilege to be placed among the other amazing finalists and winners.
“Occasionally I have to pinch myself and think how amazing some of the work I’m
Olles also took the opportunity to mention her daughter, who attended the awards night.
“I invited my daughter here tonight to be in a room full of women who are at different stages of their careers and because I want her to see what kind of excellence is possible,” she said.
“Thank you for your amazing examples that she can see here tonight.
“I’m very honoured to receive this award.”
Beyond the Excellence in Energy award, the event also recognised achievements of these women in the following categories: Business Development Success of the Year - Sandra Robinson (United Rentals), Excellence in Construction – Sinead Redmond (GeelongPort), Excellence in Engineering –Allyson Woodford (APA Group), Excellence in Manufacturing – Derelle Mitchell (Health Focus Manufacturing), Excellence in Mining –Sinead Booth (Fortescue), Excellence in Transport – Anne Modderno (Swietelsky), Industry Advocacy Award – Steph Gee (CM & SM Gee Electrical), Mentor of the Year – Kirstin Reblin (Opal), Rising Star of the Year – Kate Leone (UGL – M6 Stage 1 Project), and Safety Advocacy Award – Kathleen Kelly
“As an advocate for our investment in
“I get to do amazing things with an amazing team. We’ve built a team of incredible engineers that we’re going to need if we’re going to decarbonise Australia.”
And last but not least, this year’s Woman of the Year award was taken out by Health Focus Manufacturers Managing Director Derelle Mitchell.
For more information, visit womeninindustry.com.au
The Women in Industry Awards took place on Thursday 20 June in Sydney, acknowledging the exceptional women who have achieved success from a range of industrial sectors.
BOC Director of Strategy and Clean Energy Vesna Olles (L).
The Women in Industry Awards celebrated talented women from a range of industrial sectors.
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