Solar & Storage Summer 2018 by Smart Energy Council

Solar & Storage SUMMER 2018

• Climate warnings SEE PAGES 14 – 15 AND 51 FOR MORE INFORMATION

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION INCORPORATING THE

• Big battery for Ballarat • The unstoppable PV market

OF THE

SMART ENERGY COUNCIL

• Fast EV chargers

Contents

Smart Energy Council Forewords by CEO and John Hewson

Smart Energy Show 2019

14, 51

Membership services

Master Installers

Corporate Members

Positive Quality

Market Dynamics News and views

6, 12, 42

Climate referendum

Infographic: Climate warnings

Unstoppable solar PV: smashing records

DNV’s global outlook

SUMMER 2018 ISSUE 4

Special Features Baseload bunkum by Steve Blume 10 Chief Scientist on a low carbon future

Around the Industry Singapore’s Cloud Forest

Climate Council’s state scorecard

CEFC investing in lower emissions

Wise words

Local and global events

Front cover: 15 MW Sunshine Coast solar farm, image Trina Solar

Storage Revolution LG Electronic’s advances

Smart Energy Council storage report

Battery Performance Standards

Battery Best Practice

ABB’s fast charger

Nissan Leaf to hit the streets

ITP Battery Trials update

Fronius green hydrogen refuelling

sonnen’s battery plant

Big battery for Ballarat

Innovation and Inspiration Fronius at the frontier

Enhar Services

LONGi Solar

The evolution of Trina Solar

Powerark’s range

Solahart’s PowerStore

SOLAR & STORAGE is published by the SMART ENERGY COUNCIL ABN 32 006 824 148 www.smartenergy.org.au @SmartEnergyCncl @AustSmartNRG

30 SMART ENERGY COUNCIL CEO John Grimes PO Box 231, Mawson ACT 2607 admin@smartenergy.org.au Phone: 1300 768 204 Solar & Storage ISSN 2206-1673

SOLAR & STORAGE EDITOR: Nicola Card editor@smartenergy.org.au nicola@smartenergy.org.au

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION: Mitzi Mann

INCORPORATING THE

Subscription & membership contact Luke Shavak, Membership Sales Manager M: 0499 345 013 | luke@smartenergy.org.au Solar & Storage advertising enquiries contact Brett Thompson, Sales Manager M: 0402 181 250 | brett@smartenergy.org.au

SMART ENERGY COUNCIL PO Box 231 Mawson ACT 2607 admin@smartenergy.org.au Phone: 1300 768 204

Solar & Storage (previously Solar Progress) was first published in 1980. The magazine aims to provide readers with an in-depth review of technologies, policies and progress towards a society which sources energy from the sun rather than fossil fuels. Except where specifically stated, the opinions and material published in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Smart Energy Council. Although every effort is made to check the authenticity and accuracy of articles, neither the Smart Energy Council nor the editors are responsible for any inaccuracy. Solar & Storage is published quarterly. www.smartenergy.org.au

Welcome

John Grimes, Chief Executive, Smart Energy Council

THE TOTAL INSTALLED SOLAR PV capacity in Australia just topped 10.1GW. It is an amazing milestone and about 9.8GW higher than forecast for 2018 by the energy experts in the Federal Government just a decade ago. While some things change (like solar PV and battery storage costs plummeting), writing off smart energy remains the order of the day. ScoMo, the nation’s first ‘bloke’s bloke’, gets all jingoistic about it. Clean, cheap, flexible, abundant energy. No way.

Only the black, billowing stuff is ‘fair dinkum’ energy. None of this namby-pamby sunshine and wind. I recently returned from a trip to China, which has installed 130GW of solar PV to date. Although solar PV installation growth is likely to slow significantly from the 54GW installed last year, China will still be, by far, the world’s biggest solar market. On the back of that growth global solar production has ramped up, and manufacturers are sharpening their pens to win additional global market share. This is bad news for our Prime Minister, because Australia is a key global market for all this excess capacity, bringing prices down further still. With more than 100 large-scale solar PV projects in the pipeline, many incorporating storage, there is fierce competition among suppliers, often backed by investment dollars. The other thing I noticed in China is that electric vehicles are simply everywhere. From silent scooters to cars, taxis, buses, and service vehicles. Even the outboard motors on the boats in the city of Suzhou were all electric. The tipping point has passed. All this talk about fair dinkum ‘real energy’ is just bizarre. What Australia needs now is a plan for the transition of the energy sector – to make sure transformed networks deliver the best dividend to the entire economy – not jingoistic claptrap handcuffing us to the past.

In my view … I HAVE BEEN ACTIVE in the climate debate since the likely extreme consequences of even just late 80s/early 90s. I find it a national disgrace that achieving the 1.5 degree Paris objective, in all this time we still don’t have a national energy let alone even greater warming. We policy, or a climate action plan. The cause has been should also recognise that the economyan increasing focus on short-term, opportunistic, wide impact of what is a technological mostly negative, politics, scoring points and shifting revolution, not just in power, but also in blame, rather than addressing the issues and transport, and across other key sectors, challenges – a massive failure of governance, at the is happening much faster than expected, expense of the national interest. promising considerably more disruption. The bottom line of all this has been runaway Against this, how can it be that our electricity and gas prices, and the loss of probably Government still wants to just stick its hundreds of thousands of jobs, billions of head in the sand, rather than respond dollars of investment, and a squandering of the effectively? This is particularly difficult opportunity to have led the world in the transition to understand when every poll/survey to renewables. over many years has revealed a rapidly Australia has an envious supply of wind and solar expanding majority of voters who want John Hewson is a professor at the Crawford assets, and the technologies and skills in generation, a decisive, government-led, response to School of Public Policy, ANU, Patron of the distribution and storage to have made the world’s the climate challenge, with more than 80 Smart Energy Council and a former Liberal most cost effective transition from fossil fuels to per cent wanting to see more renewables opposition leader renewables. rather than coal-fired power. The recent IPCC Report has emphasised the Be sure that energy/climate policy will be the dominant policy mounting urgency of the climate challenge – how much more impact issue at the next federal election – as it certainly should be! there has been from global warming to date, happening faster and with A government that doesn’t have a climate action plan forfeits its more intensity, than previously expected, and warned of some of the right to govern.

4 SUMMER 2018

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LOCAL and GLOBAL NEWS Hats off to NSW ENERGY MINISTER Don Harwin who says “We want to do everything we can to enable the private sector to accelerate projects that deliver clean, reliable and affordable energy for NSW consumers. The expertise is right here at home – and we want to use it.” The Minister has put his name to a $55 million Emerging Energy Program designed to bring forward a pipeline of large-scale solar, wind and energy storage projects that over the next 15 years will replace the state’s 10 GW of ageing coal-fired generators. The EEP’s emissions intensity cap rules out the chances of new coal plants. Further announcements are believed imminent. We daresay NSW will move up several notches in the next Climate Council State scorecard (see also page 34).

Newly elected INDEPENDENT

MP FOR WENTWORTH KERRYN PHELPS who is demanding action

on climate change and carbon emissions wants to revive the Climate Change Authority with the remit to review scientific evidence and advise governments. The high profile, eloquent candidate who toppled the safe Liberal seat and is attuned with community concerns, says “[Climate action] will be an election issue, so the government is going to have to explain itself and what action it is going to take.”

THE AUSTRALIA INSTITUTE REPORT Climate of the Nation 2018, Tracking Australia’s attitudes towards climate change and energy found 73 per cent of Australians are concerned about climate change, up from 66 per cent in 2017, and 70 per cent of Australians agree that the Government needs to implement a plan to ensure the orderly closure of old coal plants and their replacement with clean energy. Two thirds want coal-fired power to cease within the next 20 years, and interestingly, the majority of Australians (52 per cent) blame the privatisation of electricity generation and supply for rising electricity prices.

IMAGE COURTESY CLIMATE COUNCIL

If re-elected in late November, VICTORIA’S LABOR GOVERNMENT plans to lift the renewable energy target from 40 to 50 per cent by 2030 to help deliver up to 5400 MW of new, largescale renewable energy capacity, attracting $9 billion of investment in the sector and 11,000 jobs, with half of Victoria’s energy sourced from renewables within 12 years. Already 732 MW of new renewable capacity has been built under Labor and a further 3000 MW is either under construction or contracted. The state government will also expand and extend the popular rooftop solar program to renters and body corporates, and add a community energy program to Victoria’s RET.

THE UN’S INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL ON CLIMATE CHANGE report has declared global warming will exceed the critical 1.5°C threshold by 2040 unless rapid and drastic action is taken, including eliminating coal from electricity in that time frame and reducing emissions 45 per cent from 2010 levels (58 per cent from 2015 totals) by 2030.

6 SUMMER 2018

Australia’s GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS have hit an all time high, rising 1.3 per cent in the 12 months to March this year. Emissions are now higher than 2005 levels in the industry, buildings and transport sectors. Alarmingly, if all nations mirrored Australia’s deplorable output, the world would be headed for a temperature rise of 3 degrees and widespread catastrophe. ClimateWorks Australia’s Tracking Progress to net zero emissions declared Australia needs to double its emissions reduction progress to achieve the federal government’s target of 26-28 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, and triple progress to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

Solar & Storage is printed by Printgraphics whose green credentials include:

INCORPORATING THE

Climate referendum

May 2019 is a few short months away and it brings the prospect of a federal election that is now being widely touted the referendum on renewable energy.

THERE IS NO DENYING the past few years have been tremendous for renewable energy in all its forms – large-scale solar and wind plants, storage, commercial and residential rooftop PV. Australia’s solar PV capacity now stands at 10.1 GW and renewable energy forms 20 per cent of the electricity mix, delivering cuts to greenhouse gas emissions in the millions of tonnes. We also know this represents just the start of a low carbon energy future that, despite all economic and environmental imperatives, has met significant resistance from a small climate denying faction backing coal powered plants. But for how much longer? Clearly, the community wants its leaders to tackle the rising threat of global warming caused by polluting technologies. This message was brought home in the Wentworth by-election where an independent candidate echoing community concerns about climate change seized the day – and a safe Liberal seat.

Wentworth: the litmus test The severity of the swing should serve as a clear message about voters’ priorities. The mood of the electorate was backed by an exit poll conducted by The Australia Institute which brought home that climate change was the biggest single issue behind the monumental swing against the coalition government, with 78 per cent of the 1049 respondents saying it had some influence on their vote, 49 per cent saying ‘a lot of influence’ and 33

per cent saying climate change was the main thing. Likewise, the well respected Lowy poll that found almost 60 per cent of Wentworth voters agreed “global warming is a serious and pressing problem” and that “we should begin taking steps now even if this involves significant costs”, with 84 per cent supporting renewables. The vast minority – just 14 per cent – felt we should continue to rely on coal and gas. The findings of successive polls and surveys speak volumes, and it is an unwise political party that turns its back on the voters. And the environment. And economics. And scientific evidence. Which brings us to the pinnacle of scientific reports, the UN’s InterGovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

IPCC The Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change warns – in all but red underlined text and capital letters – that the world has just 12 years to contain global warming to a maximum of 1.5°C or face dire consequences, and that coal-fired electricity generation must be cut to zero by 2050. That would mean closing 10 of the 16 coal-fired power stations on the eastern seaboard in the next 12 years, yet just two are scheduled for decommissioning by 2030.

“Be sure that energy and climate policy will be the dominant policy issue at the next federal election – as it certainly should be!”

Solar & Storage 7

THE WRAP Mike Cannon-Brookes, founder of Atlassian, and the winning Fair Dinkum Power logo With the backing of the PM and coalition colleagues, Energy Minister Angus Taylor snubbed the IPCC report, saying “Coal will continue to play a vital role in our energy mix, now and into the future to ensure we can lower power prices and maintain reliability to keep the lights on. … the Government won’t be distracted from its goal of lowering power prices for Australian households and small businesses. A debate about climate change and generation technologies in 2050 won’t bring down current power prices for Australian households and small businesses.” The fervent attitude is not altogether surprising given the coalition’s repeated (and sometimes successful) attempts to destroy all policies or recommendations that support the transition to a clean energy future. We don’t have room to relay the long list: emission policies, carbon tax, ARENA, CEFC, Finkel’s #1 recommendation, Small scale Renewable Energy Scheme and more. The litany is disheartening to John Hewson who led the Liberal party for four years from 1990 and scorns his party’s inability to acknowledge climate change, calling the lack of national energy policy or climate action plan a national disgrace. And his strongly worded warning that “A government that doesn’t have a climate action plan forfeits its right to govern.”

Politics vs science and economics Now he’s out of office Malcolm Turnbull has admitted it’s beyond the ability of the modern Liberal Party to integrate climate realities into energy policy, a view echoed by Liberal Party historian Judith Brett who says “climate change denial is preventing the government from developing a coherent economic narrative”. Instead we have the debacle over the new PM’s call for more ‘fair dinkum’ power, a thinly veiled reference to “let’s extend the life of existing coal power stations and possibly build new coal plants for more baseload”.

and it’s amazing that we do not talk more about it.” Cannon-Brookes is one of several high profile identities beating the drum, joining the likes of Simon Holmes à Court, John Hewson, Oliver Yates, and more recently the newly elected MP for Wentworth Kerryn Phelps whose first priority in the bid to advance action on global warming at a federal level is to revive the near-defunct Climate Change Authority.

Rallying cry

The rise of a real Fair Dinkum Power movement That’s where Mike Cannon-Brookes steps in. Enough is enough he says. Fair Dinkum Power actually means energy that is reliable, renewable and cheap, fair to Aussies, to our wallets and to the planet. The Atlassian billionaire has taken on the PM across all media channels – including vigorous twitter feeds – to build support for the transition to 100 per cent renewable energy. He’s rebranded the phrase Fair Dinkum Power and given it a brand and a logo that we suspect is just the start of what will become a popular movement over the coming months. It’s a smart move by a smart and articulate character who has become popular for his down-to-earth description of the energy industry and explanations as to why there is no sensible economical, rational or environmental alternative to renewable energy. And true to form Mike Cannon-Brookes also has grand, yet realistic, ambitions for Australia to become a renewable energy superpower, exporting as much power as it consumes itself, which represents “one of our largest economic opportunities for the country, for our generation,

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The Australian Conservation Foundation has declared “It’s time for Australia to take action to stop climate damage. Climate catastrophe is not our destiny. But we are living in an era that demands courage, vision and leadership.” Kelly O’Shanassy, chief executive of ACF, said “We will only achieve lasting climate action, when parties with progressive and conservative values come together.” Labor’s official target is a 45 per cent reduction in carbon emissions on 2005 levels by 2030, as opposed to the coalition’s 26 to 28 per cent reduction. By 2030, Labor aims to generate 50 per cent of the country’s electricity by renewable sources. Labor has also set the goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Is it too late or too unrealistic to expect any changes in coalition policy? Smart Energy Council chief executive John Grimes says the transformation to smart energy is essential, that it is smart economics creating jobs, attracting investment and slashing power bills for everybody. “The great news is not only does smart energy lead to a strong economy, it also addresses the most important challenge of our time – combatting dangerous climate change. “Only the vested interests in the existing fossil fuel industry stand against good economics and scientific evidence.” He adds smart energy innovation puts Australia in the box seat globally, not just in transforming energy in Australia but potentially exporting clean renewable energy to the world. “It’s time Australia capitalised on its renewable resources for the good of all,” John Grimes said.

Reservoirs old and new Consider this: it doesn’t rain all the time yet most people connected to mains supplies still have constant access to water. That’s because someone (many aeons ago) invented reservoirs. Likewise it’s not always sunny or windy, but someone invented batteries. Batteries are the new energy reservoir.

INCORPORATING THE

BASELOAD

BUNKUM The reliability of Australia’s electricity network is a hot topic in political circles. Here, Smart Energy Council President Steve Blume explains why big coal generators are not the shining lights they are trumped up to be, and how wind and solar generation, some with storage, step up in the power system when it’s pushed to the max.

THE TERMS ‘baseload’ and ‘intermittent’ generation are bandied around but how do they differ and what source of energy generation sits in which camp? The first point to make is that there is no such thing as ‘baseload demand’, there is simply ‘demand’. The term ‘baseload’ is a construct created because of the old fossil fuel technologies, but coal in particular. These have a minimum or base level of operation of the boilers used to create the steam used to generate electricity – they take several hours to close down and between two to three days to get back up to temperature again after a shutdown. That being so there is minimum generation output related to the heat source(s) that must be used – so generators encourage overnight and weekend demand through large scale industry (such as aluminium smelting, factories and other high energy users) and offer very low prices to other consumers for ‘off-peak’ use so they can keep their generators running. As Dr Jenny Reiz (now with the Australian Electricity Market Operator) said in a 2013 paper that remains valid today: “... the question of ‘can renewables supply baseload’ really misses the point. We’re looking at an entirely new power system paradigm where we provide reliability cost effectively without baseload generation.”

10 SUMMER 2018

The value in an electricity system using distributed energy resources (DER) is in flexibility and responsiveness, and those ‘resources’ are not just generators, but other types of mechanical devices and increasingly, software to manage the systems. On numerous occasions last summer, a series of coal plants struggled when temperatures soared along with demand, with more than 100 plant breakdowns recorded. However widespread blackouts did not occur: power input from renewable sources successfully served as the most stable ingredients in the power system in the split-second moments when events would otherwise result in critically low or high frequency as experienced last summer. Simply put, renewables saved the day by firming up supply, keeping the lights on and air conditioning operating, with the general population none the wiser of the systematic failures of an ageing fossil fuel fleet. So what’s behind the failures? A number of engineers with decades of experience in power system operations are calling out the assertions about unreliability, such as the misquote used by energy ministers that AEMO sees a threat to supply. AEMO is simply doing its job and when reporting on risks makes it clear that they could become realities only if nothing is done. Of course no one

INCORPORATING THE

“The ageing coal-fired plants are the most risky points of failure and threatening imminent and future unreliability. These large ‘baseload’ coal plants that are being controlled by the market are also having a destabilising impact on the system.” law you are not putting good control in the power system.”

The contributions of renewables We regularly see misunderstandings about the role of renewables which arise from the time frames that are looked at. Renewables generally offer fairly stable output, they may change over a ten, fifteen or twenty minute period depending on the weather, more correctly called variability. In general the intermittency idea has been propagated by people studying small singular or isolated outputs. Although the output of a single wind turbine will vary quite a lot, put it in a cluster of turbines and you get a smoothing out in variation so your changes are not significant, you get a smoothing at the connection point. The same applies at the connection point of solar plants and the smoothing improves when we have a DER grid with great geographic dispersion and resource diversity. The issue of intermittency, really variability, of renewables is often demonised, but although there are periods with no or low wind or solar output this is an eminently solvable engineering and network design problem and far from insurmountable.

The grid remains highly reliable and we need to reject assertions that increasing renewables penetration is destabilising the grid or placing our expected reliability at risk. The fact is, as AEMO consistently reports, it is the wind power and non- or semi-scheduled power like solar PV, and increasingly battery storage systems, that has a stabilising effect on the system and increases reliability. The ageing coal-fired plants are the most risky points of failure and threatening imminent and future unreliability. Those large baseload coal plants that are being controlled by the market are also having a destabilising impact on the system as AEMO has identified in its 2018 Statement of Opportunities1 which says in part: ‘The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has warned of a heightened risk of power failure during summer peak-demand periods, based on refinements in weather forecasting and reduced reliability of ageing fossil fuel generators.’

AEMO also indicates how those risks can be managed, not by doubling down on aged coal plants that should be retired sooner than later, but in a planned way with solid support for employees and communities affected, and not by increasing the use of expensive dirty gas generators, but by using DER approaches – smart energy systems.

suggests that nothing be done to manage the threats and AEMO would be in breach of its legislative mandate if it did not! But this is simply an imposition of politics onto what are engineering and technical questions – the management of our enormously complex electricity system – the largest single ‘machine’ in the country. The power generators themselves are not structured in a way to facilitate or accommodate variances in the system. At a recent conference a respected engineer said “The system is a complex non-linear machine and all the bits that connect are not straightforward … we have taken a complex system and added a market in charge of it and we have added legal and regulatory processes and if you follow the letter of the 1

https://wa.aemo.com.au/-/media/Files/Electricity/NEM/Planning_and_Forecasting/NEM_ESOO/2018/2018-Electricity-Statement-of-Opportunities.pdf

Solar & Storage 11

LOCAL and GLOBAL NEWS RISEN ENERGY is acquiring Merredin Solar Farm, a proposed

The VESTAS RENEWABLE ENERGY HUB is building 43 wind turbines for the 180 MW Berrybank Wind Farm and 80 turbines for the 336 MW Dundonnell Wind Farm, and was supported by the Victoria’s Labor Government under the Victorian Renewable Energy Targets (VRET) reverse auction. In all, Victoria’s renewable energy auction will generate more than 900 MW of new clean energy and $1.1 billion of economic investment in regional Victoria, and create more than 900 jobs including 270 apprenticeships and traineeships.

development for a 100 MW (AC) Solar PV farm, from Stellata Energy under a Share Purchase Agreement. Phase 1 of the project in Western Australia’s central wheatbelt will consist of 405,000 tracking solar PV modules covering an area of roughly 350 hectares, with an expected annual output of 281 GWh. Risen Energy (Australia) plans to invest progressively in an excess of 2 GW of renewable projects in Australia with further investments in storage in the future. The company’s first acquisition for the 100 MW (AC) Yarranlea Solar Farm in Queensland was completed in early 2018 and construction is underway.

KARADOC SOLAR FARM Still in Victoria, the state’s largest ever solar plant has started generating energy into the national grid. The 664-acre 112 MW solar farm which will be fully completed towards the end of this year is being developed by global renewable energy developer, service provider and wholesaler, BayWa r.e. and constructed by Melbourne-based Beon Energy Solutions. Carlton & United Breweries has signed a 12-year Power Purchase Agreement and will draw 74,000 MWh of solar energy from the plant once fully completed.

THE SOLAR, ENERGY STORAGE AND RELATED SERVICES PROVIDERS CODE OF CONDUCT (SESRS) has been released. The

Thumbs up to the 100 MW BATTERYPACK at the Hornsdale Power Reserve in South Australia which is proving a leading source of dispatchable power – and a lot more useful for the electricity system than the Big Banana at Coffs Harbour or the Big Prawn at Ballina or any of the Kardashians, despite protestations by some. AEMO has revealed the speed, precision and agility of the battery is unprecedented in dealing with the regular, small frequency variations as well as major power disturbances. Where conventional coal-fired or gas-fuelled generators take seconds, the battery takes between 200 to 250 milliseconds to protect the system. The Tesla Batterypack which is among the world’s largest is also pushing down prices.

12 SUMMER 2018

purpose of the voluntary industry Code of Practice is a self-regulation system for Approved Providers of solar PV, energy storage and related services to households and commercial customers in Australia. The Code aims to ensure that Providers use best practice when delivering their services. The Code has been developed in response to state governments in Queensland and SA that have picked up, or intend to reference, industry Codes as a mandatory and sole point of entry to various State government support programs. Companies are now invited to indicate their provisional support for the code by emailing admin@sesrs.org.au Once State Governments agree that signatories to the SESRS Code can apply to participate in relevant state programs, companies will be notified.

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Global warning Global Energy Shift +3°C* by 2100 = rise in world’s

3°C 2°C

temperature based on current policies

1°C

+1.5°C* by about 2040 = rise based 1.5°C 1°C

on present warming rates (0.2°C per decade)

*Global temperatures are already 1°C greater than pre-industrial levels

Impacts of rise of 1.5°C by 2100:

Containing warming to 1.5°C requires:

26-77cm sea level rise 90% loss of reefs

45% decline in CO2 emissions by 2030 (relative to 2010)

more heatwaves, food shortages, droughts

zero further CO2 emissions by 2050

Net

damage to crops and fisheries, threats to

3°C 2°C

global economic growth

1°C

2047 deadline for carbon neutral world to provide 66% chance of containing warming to 1.5°C target

Meeting a 2°C warming target:

70-85% of electricity from renewables by 2050

Net

Sourcing

Reduce coal generated energy use

2030

zero emission by around 2075

36-87cm rise by 2100 under 2°C℃ warming

Sea level

78% by

Source: UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ; >6,000 scientific references; 91 authors and review editors from 40 countries

Australian Story

AUSTRALIA’S PARIS COMMITMENT: Reduce pollution by by 2030

26-28% (from 2005 levels)

12 Australian coal-fired power stations must close by 2030 to avoid “catastrophic effects” of climate change Source: Parliamentary Library

Greenhouse gas emissions: Trending higher for

c. 4 years

1.3% rise in year to March 2018, to 134.7 million tonnes (highest quarterly figure since Q310) Annual total of 529.9 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent Source: Department of Environment and Energy

$60.1 billion in 2017-18: Australia’s highest ever coal exports Source: ABS and CFMEU

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Toward a better life LG ELECTRONICS is moving into the rapidly growing residential energy storage market with the unveiling of a new ESS battery and 3 phase hybrid inverter that will be available in Australia by May 2019. Markus Lambert, General Manager Solar & Energy, explained LG’s 5 kW inverter with two entry points (MPPTs) paired with a 6.4 kWh battery that can be doubled up to store 12.8kWh, will come with a 10 year warranty. Other advantages will be revealed in due course. The all-in-one energy storage development which in many ways completes the circle for LG – many will say an LG inverter was as predictable as it was inevitable – is the culmination of more than a decade’s research and development. It is also the missing link in interconnected homes which come with smart TVs and home entertainment, fridges, dishwashers, air conditioners and washing machines, many of which bear the LG emblem. “LG has a very large consumer product range, the only thing missing was the inverter,” Lambert told Solar & Storage. “We wanted to provide the full range by offering a turnkey solution which led to the development of the ESS battery and inverter, and there are advantages to customers and ourselves in supplying the complete system.” The nationwide dealer network of 70 will be fully trained on the latest technology in a process that Lambert estimates will take 12-15 month to complete. “Technical training will be a thorough process … we are a big brand and cannot afford to

The time was right for LG to bolster its role in home energy with its own inverter, and the move is in keeping with LG’s focus on product evolution

disappoint the customer.” But don’t expect a bells-and-whistle launch of the inverter, he said. “We never go out with a big fanfare in marketing a product, instead we first develop a product that does 80 per cent of what it needs to do and learn over time from customers what might need to be tweaked or fine tuned. “This allows us to focus on the very important area of service levels … there is nothing worse than having an expensive ‘toy’ but then a blackout, and the ice cream melts!” The Korean-made inverter will be enhanced over coming years.

Connecting the dots ... LG is also gearing up for the fundamental shift in transportation with a growing fleet of electric vehicles that will result in demand for greater home storage systems.

18 SUMMER 2018

“Let’s go forward a few years when more people are charging their electric vehicles from home, and at that stage their existing PV systems will not be large enough, people would have to start all over again,” Lambert said. From an emissions perspective it would be a terrible outcome to see the inefficient panels end up in landfill, he said, which is behind LG Electronics’ announcement that its 2019 NeON® R and NeON® 2 premium solar panels will receive a 5W boost to their already high efficiency. The company is also introducing 370W & 380W made to order panels as well as new 400W 72 cell panels. “System efficiency is particularly important in residential installations where roof space is limited. Many older rooftop PV

systems are around 5 kW but as soon as you add battery storage you need higher capacity during the day and at night, and especially in winter. “Residential dwellings are constantly evolving, just like homeowners’ energy needs,” Lambert said. “LG’s higher efficiency panels will benefit homeowners with limited roof space, as well as those looking to deploy energy-intense technologies, like electric vehicle charging stations. “LG Electronics has a solid residential market share, we are the biggest consumer brand in solar and in Australia possibly the most recognised brand in the solar space, we like to get it right. “We at LG believe a bit in evolution.” For more information on LG ‘Life’s Good’ visit www.lg.com.au or facebook.com/LGAustralia

INCORPORATING THE

ENERGY STORAGE: SMART ENERGY Just a few short years ago home battery storage was barely a blip on the radar. Now a favourable combination of dynamics in home energy is driving the popularity of storage, with the majority of households aspiring to energy independence. Many say that home storage is fast becoming the ‘must have’ appliance, and given the soaring demand for rooftop PV the outlook is brighter than ever.

FROM A STANDING START, home energy storage has burst onto the scene in Australia. Speedy though the genesis has been, it is just the beginning for an industry that is poised for exponential growth. At the same time, the absence of collective wisdom on the who, where and how much was evident, and that set the Smart Energy Council on the path to a comprehensive analysis of residential, commercial, large-scale, on-grid, off-grid and micro-grid energy storage. The findings are by any measure upbeat: by the end of 2016 Australia boasted about 32,500 on-grid and off-grid energy storage systems, and a further 20,000 were added in 2017. The Smart Energy Council survey also found that more than 2,000 Australians are directly employed in the energy storage sector currently. Now all indications point to a high growth scenario with as many as 450,000 residential and commercial energy storage systems installed by 2020, delivering 3 GWh of distributed storage. That would in turn see as many as 35,000 Australians working in the energy storage industry, among them engineers, installers, project developers, researchers, sales people, trainers and others. The low-growth scenario puts the number at around 20,000 Australians working directly or indirectly in energy storage in 2020. [As an aside, that is significantly more than the 8,000 workers directly employed in Australia’s coal-fired power industry, or in full the 18,000 dependant on the polluting sector.]

States of progress The main factors driving battery growth (and consumer interest) are falling costs of solar and energy storage systems at a time that the cost of electricity is high (and rising) and feed-in tariffs are being whittled down. However, several progressive state and territory governments are supporting moves to behindthe-meter battery storage with incentive schemes that will prove instrumental in the transition and provide a boom in job opportunities. ACT: One of the earliest programs was the ACT’s $25 million Next Generation Battery Storage scheme that aims to provide subsidised battery storage for 5,000 Canberra homes and businesses by 2020. NSW: The demise of the generous feed-in tariff in NSW had a positive impact on household batteries by stimulating investment in storage. In late October NSW announced its far reaching Emerging Energy Program which complements the plan for up to 900 smart battery systems with a total of 13 MW of capacity to install alongside rooftop solar on the state’s school’s and hospitals in part of a $20 million program.

Solar & Storage 19

STORAGE REPORT

QLD: In Queensland no interest loans and rebates will be provided in 2018 to drive uptake of batteries and a $50 incentive for owners who register their storage system with a new state database. SA: The South Australian Government’s Home Battery Scheme will enable 40,000 South Australian households access to up to $6000 in government subsidies to put toward the cost of the battery component of solar and battery installations. VICTORIA: In Victoria a re-elected Labor Government will provide half price solar batteries for 10,000 Victorian households as part of the $40 million Solar Homes initiative. Eligible homeowners can get a 50 per cent rebate for installation of a battery storage unit, capped at $4,838 in the first year and tapering down to $3,714 by 2026 as the price of batteries comes down.

Many Australian and international energy storage companies have or are establishing headquarters in Australia, with the breakdown as follows:

All roads lead to storage Wayne Smith of the Smart Energy Council identified a raft of additional factors proving favourable for the uptake of storage systems. “The availability of trained installers and perceptions of industry standards, quality and safety delivered though quality systems play a vital role,” he explained. “It’s fair to say that the sophistication of home energy management systems continues to evolve and deliver ever-greater benefits to homeowners who become more conscious of the time and use of appliances and the draw on the battery system. “Digital devices and apps are making what would otherwise be unobtainable, that is, presenting complex data in a simple format that is accessible at the click of an icon. The ease of the process is proving a really popular

aspect of storage. Even kids are tapping into information and advising their parents about best time and use!”

PV+BATTERY INSTALLS 2010-2017 (CER)

Anecdote also suggests more and more homeowners who are now installing rooftop PV are making sure they are ‘battery ready’ by opting for larger systems. It’s not uncommon to find an 8 kW solar PV system with the requisite inverter up and working and ready to be hooked up to a battery system as and when the homeowner chooses to add storage. Wayne Smith also commented on the growing consciousness among the community about the impact of polluting fuels on the environment and their contribution to climate change. This has brought an awareness of the need to transition to clean energy and greater discussion around climate change. The full report, which was funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), can be found at www.smartenergy.org.au

20 SUMMER 2018

INCORPORATING THE

BATTERY STANDARDS

Battery Standards in the pipeline KEY POINTS: • A draft national standard for the performance of batteries installed with solar PV systems is being developed by DNV GL, CSIRO, Deakin University and Smart Energy Council • The process involved finding a way to test batteries across their different chemistries • The two-year project will come to fruition in 2020 • Consumers will have a better idea of the different technologies • The Smart Energy Council will be holding a webinar for all interested parties in the near future to present more information.

THE SMART ENERGY COUNCIL is partnering with DNV GL, CSIRO and Deakin University on a major project to develop a draft national standard for the performance of batteries installed with solar PV systems. The outcome will enable homeowners to make an informed decision on different batteries and determine what’s best for their needs. The role of the Smart Energy Council is in chairing the Stakeholder Reference Group, and during the 24-month project will work closely with those involved in the battery storage industry. The project will cover battery systems ranging from residential to small commercial systems, with a maximum size of 100 kW power capacity and 200 kWh energy capacity connected to a solar PV system. The process will include a comprehensive ‘gap analysis’ of existing local and international battery storage performance standards; performance testing of batteries; and the development of a proposed Standard for battery performance. A Guideline based on the proposed Standard will also be developed for use by industry stakeholders in the interim prior to a Standard being finalised through Standards Australia. Smart Energy Council chief executive John Grimes says the outcome of the project will be to help residential and small business consumers make more informed buying decisions and drive confidence in the battery storage market.

“This is a timely as well as a positive step forward for the industry and for consumers. Home storage is proving more popular by the day and greater certainly will be reflected in a greater take up of smart energy technologies that bring all-round benefits,” he said. “It’s good for households, industry and the environment. “The Smart Energy Council is pleased to be playing a role in the development of standards that benefit homeowners and the solar and storage sector.” DNV GL Vice-President Technology & Innovation for Energy Lucy Craig commented that energy storage is a vital component in the transition to a greener energy future, “And through efforts of providing the industry with performance standards, we are supporting the safe and sustainable development of the energy storage sector. We look forward to building on these efforts to create a vibrant and lasting energy storage market for Australia.” The $3.12 million project is being part funded by ARENA which is injecting $1.4 million with the Victorian Government contributing $500,000. ARENA says the difficulty presented to consumers in making a well-informed choice presented a barrier to uptake of battery storage, but this project will give consumers a more informed choice and increased confidence in deciding to invest in home batteries and rooftop solar. It will also provide people easy-to-access information on how reliable the batteries are and how well they perform over their lifetime in Australian conditions. The project will analyse Australian and international battery performance testing and consult with stakeholders in order to develop a proposed Australian Battery Performance Standard. This will initiate the formal standard development process with Standards Australia. Australia is widely touted to be a global leader in battery storage, and projections are looking positive on the back of lower costs and progressive state incentive schemes, among them South Australia’s home battery plan and a similar scheme in Victoria should the Labor government be returned to power. Estimates vary but it is believed around 17,000 storage systems were installed last year and the industry is on a trajectory that could reach one million by early 2020. (See Smart Energy Report on pages 19 and 20.)

22 SUMMER 2018

INCORPORATING THE

BATTERY BEST PRACTICE GUIDE A 40-PAGE BATTERY GUIDE has been developed by industry for industry: the Best Practice Guide: Battery Storage

A guide

Equipment – Electrical Safety Requirements. The purpose of the new Guide is to provide a minimum level of electrical safety criteria that industry experts

for use by

accept as suitable with the known risks and issues, which will enable manufacturers, importers, installers and

those in the

others in the supply chain to more easily identify and address issues in battery storage equipment.

supply chain of battery storage equipment to demonstrate their battery storage equipment meets industry best practice electrical safety standards.

Manufacturers and importers who apply the safety criteria contained in the Guide are effectively indicating their equipment meets the minimum acceptable level for safety for installation in household environments, which provides an acceptable level of protection against hazards. For the convenience of users, the Guide is accompanied by a Battery Energy Storage Equipment Risk Matrix in simple-to-read spreadsheet format. LITHIUM BATTERIES: the Guide applies exclusively to lithium-based battery energy storage equipment which is the predominant technology used in household storage systems. It includes suggested safety requirements for: • Battery module (BM) • Pre-assembled battery system (BS), and • Pre-assembled integrated battery energy storage system (BESS) The Guide covers battery storage equipment with a rated capacity of equal to or greater than 1 kWh and up to and including 200 kWh of energy storage capacity when measured at 0.1°C. Note: The Guide does not cover the installation of the battery storage equipment WHO CAN USE THE GUIDE? Manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, retailers, installers, test facilities, certifiers,

a minimum requirement for the battery storage systems they

Products that “ meet this guide will

wish to purchase.

send a message

industry associations for listings or industry programs for supply. Purchasers too can use the Guide in order to specify

WHY: Prior to this Guide being developed, there was no specific product safety standard

about a consistent

expressly covering the risks of a completed battery storage equipment assembly in a

level of safety

household situation.

and that should

DEVELOPED BY AND FOR INDUSTRY: The Smart Energy Council played a role in developing the

give customers

Guide that also had input from CSIRO, Australian Industry Group, Consumer Electronics

confidence that

Suppliers Association and the Clean Energy Council. The Guide:

these products can

• Is free to download and can be used by anyone.

be safely installed

• Is voluntary, but action can be taken by regulatory agencies due to misleading claims or

and operated in

issues of non-compliance to electrical safety legislative requirements. • Will be reviewed every 12 months and updates considered.

or outside their

• Can be used in conjunction with the development of an Australian safety standard for

house,” John Grimes

installation of battery storage equipment (AS/NZS 5139 when published).

said. “Lithium-ion

WHERE TO FIND: The Best Practice Guide: Battery Storage Equipment – Electrical Safety

batteries are used

Requirements and associated risk matrix are online and available for download at

in many household

batterysafetyguide.com.au

battery storage systems which is why the Guide focuses on that popular technology.

”

EV INFRASTRUCTURE

Fast chargers to speed up EV uptake ABB believes that the ‘future of mobility’ is electric and that Australia will inevitably undergo a complete e-transition. For that to happen, public charging infrastructure is a must, and we are now seeing it materialise.

ABB’s Wim Elshout (right) chats to colleague Steve Amor about the game-changing EV charger that he helped design

THE ROAD AHEAD is being smoothed for drivers of electric vehicles with an ultra-rapid charging network linking the east coast cities of Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane. Australian start-up Chargefox which secured funding from state motoring clubs and a grant from ARENA and the Victorian Government is developing the network which is using ABB’s latest technology and should be complete by 2020. With their signature green strip lighting, ABB’s distinctive looking 350 kW Terra HP chargers are capable of adding 400 kilometres of range in just 15 minutes. Those with just eight minutes to spare can add 200 kilometres – either way it’s a massive step up from the half hour recharge that was the fastest option till now. A lot more zoom. ABB’s Terra HP charging stations are not only the fastest of any charger currently deployed across the country, they are also the first with liquid-cooled cables to be installed. Two of the chargers can be seen in action in Euroa on the Hume Highway 160km North of Melbourne. With funding assistance from the Victorian government which is taking strides in renewable energy Euroa has become the first of Chargefox’s ultra-rapid network of 21 sites. The second fast charger site will be located near Albury and open for business before the end of 2019. It will likewise feature two 350 kW Terra HP chargers,

which can be used by all electric vehicles available on the market today and those soon to be released onto the local market.

Gathering speed The charging stations will be a boon for Australia’s sluggish EV market which today accounts for just 0.1 per cent of new car sales. Estimates suggest there are fewer than 5000 EVs on the roads today, the slow uptake hampered in part by lack of charging infrastructure; however government support through ARENA for the Chargefox network marks the start of a turnaround. Wim Elshout, ABB’s Regional Manager for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Solutions, explained the need for those travelling 350 kilometres and beyond to have access to fast, convenient chargers or what he calls “range extenders”. “If you don’t have half an hour or an hour to spare for a recharge during a trip the 350 kW Terra HP charger can deliver what’s needed in under fifteen minutes. For those with more time to spare and who want the petrol station experience [snacks and pit stop] there’s the 150 kW charger that delivers 15 kilometres per minute, so half an hour of charge gives you 450 km of range … that is the difference between the 150 kW charger and the Terra HP,” he explained. According to Elshout there’s only one vehicle on the market that can charge at the highest speed on offer and that is the Audi e-tron sport utility. However Mercedes, BMW and others in the luxury car segment are developing their range with new EVs being announced every few months, he says.

Keen to be green ABB entered the EV-charging market back in 2010, and today boasts 8,000 ABB DC chargers, including high-power chargers up to 350 kW, installed across 68 countries. Interestingly, charge point operators are keenly aware of their ‘green’ credentials. “In Europe there is competition among charge point operators – who are like petrol retailers – and they are all investing in customer experience and branding which is about having a green presence in the market,” Elshout said. “For that reason solar PV is predominant and most of the charge point operators claim to use renewable energy. “Here in Australia we see the same thing, if you look at the regional sites where the chargers are being installed you will see they are mainly using solar PV power and battery storage.”

INCORPORATING THE

Changing lanes The fast charging network signals a new era for drivers of electric vehicles in Australia. However the majority of recharging still takes place at home, and ABB’s AC wallboxes which take 12 hours to deliver a full battery charge makes do for up to 80 per cent of cases, Elshout advised. But the fact remains that is 80 per cent of a rather small market. Other than a shortage of infrastructure and the relatively high cost of EVs, the lack of government transport emissions policies has been cited as one of the main hurdles holding back mass uptake of EVs in Australia. Australia’s population growth of 1.7 per cent – double that of the US and UK – means every year 407,000 people are added to the Australian transportation system, which currently relies on costly oil imports. Should Australia extensively adapt to an electric-powered mobility system, it can eliminate 16 million barrels of imported oil every year by 2030, according to research led by the Electric Vehicle Council. The Electric Vehicle Council has been working closely with government on EV policy and a Senate Report on EVs is due to be handed down in early December. ABB’s Wim Elshout is among the many who feel optimistic about the report, believing it will help establish a roadmap for greater progress on the road to the electrification of the transport sector.

L-R Steve Amor, EV Infrastructure Solutions for ABB in Australia, Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio, David Sullivan, Electrification Products Division Manager for ABB in Australia and Evan Beaver, Charging Manager for Chargefox

Shenzhen taxi drivers losing hair in electric taxis I RECENTLY RODE ALONG WITH CHEN to the airport, in his plug in electric BYD e6 taxi in the Chinese city of Shenzhen, fitted out with an 80kWh battery. Under a new law Chen and his fellow taxi drivers have all switched to plug in electric vehicles, and I wanted to get the inside story. The full cost of the car is around $70,000, but the government kicks in half the cost, so Chen was able to drive away for around $35,000. Chen is pretty pleased with a few aspects of the car. He loves the low cost of servicing, and the $20 it costs him to run the car around 900km every day. But he also said the heavy car is hard on brakes, and he needs to change the brake pads every couple of months. He also worries about stopping in wet weather. I was keen to know about the battery life, and he reckons when it was new, each charge allowed him to travel 380km before re-charging. But these days, with over 200,000km on the clock, that has dropped to around 300km. How about air conditioning, did it run down the

battery? No difference he reckons. He is preparing to buy a new set of batteries in a few months time. Time is money in his business, and charging already takes him off the road for one and a half hours at a time. That is up to three hours off the road every day, something Chen and his fellow drivers hate. The new model has a range of over 400km, so more time on the road. But Chen and his fellow taxi drivers do have one serious concern about the new technology. Everyone agrees that the radiation from the batteries is making their hair fall out! This demographic of middle-aged men may be on to something. Maybe the answer to Chen’s problems are an additional one in six electric taxis, to allow drivers to swap and go while charging, and tin foil covers for their chairs. Even still, within seconds of arriving at the airport I did see a bald taxi driver - so who knows…

John Grimes Solar & Storage 25

Nissan Leaf on its way to Australia ANYONE IN THE MARKET for an electric vehicle that’s not priced in the luxury price segment might want to check their closest Nissan dealership in mid 2019 when the company will be proudly placing its much anticipated new generation Nissan LEAF in showroom windows. The Australian-spec improved model will feature e-Pedal, Apple CarPlayTM and Android AutoTM along with an increase in power and torque, with the new and improved model providing a driving range of up to 270 kilometres per charge on the back of the larger 40kWh battery.

To date the Nissan LEAF has notched up 360,000 global sales and the carmaker is now eyeing up potential in Australia where it hopes to secure the largest EV sales network. As much as one third of Nissan’s Australian volume could include electric technology in the foreseeable future. Nissan Australia managing director Stephen Lester said “By introducing more electric alternatives on several of our key models, we will make mass market electrification a reality.” How soon that might be depends in part on charging infrastructure, and that is quickly gathering speed with Chargefox’s rollout of fast charging stations along the east coast.

Chargefox’s EV charging network will link Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane. Image: Chargefox

26 SUMMER 2018

INCORPORATING THE

ITP Renewables lithium-ion battery trial UNDER AN ARENA-FUNDED PROJECT, ITP Renewables (ITP) is testing the performance of a number of different residential or small commercial-scale battery packs in a purpose-built climatecontrolled enclosure at the Canberra Institute of Technology. The batteries cycle multiple times per day under varying temperatures, to simulate conditions likely to be experienced in real world operation in Australia. Although cycling at an accelerated frequency, the batteries are operating within their allowable ranges. Public reports outlining the progress and results of the trial are released every six months and are accessible in the complete form on the Battery Test Centre Website. The fifth, recently published report covers ongoing operational challenges associated with new and established energy storage products under test in the trial, and assesses the characteristic capacity fade and efficiency of the batteries under test in the facility. In terms of performance, several batteries are performing well and meeting manufacturer claims. For example, the Sony and Samsung battery packs from Phase 1 exhibit low rates of capacity fade. Of the Phase 2 batteries, the BYD and LG Chem

HV are also performing well. The GNB lead-acid batteries continue to experience capacity and SOC estimation issues, probably due to sulfation as a result of the accelerated cycling regime. Several batteries have had to be replaced during the trial so far, due to faults or failures. The reasons for replacement have been varied and include incomplete product integration (e.g. with inverters) at the time of installation; inadequate product development (e.g. lack of over-discharge protection); and defects created during manufacturing/transport. These are symptomatic of new technology and a new market, and should improve over time. It is also important to note that although the batteries are not being cycled outside of their allowable ranges, the accelerated cycling regime does submit the batteries to far more stress than would be expected under a typical household installation, and therefore failures or negative effects on performance could be expected to arise more frequently than otherwise. Full test results and copies of the six-monthly reports are accessible in their complete form on the Battery Test Centre Website www.batterytestcentre.com.au

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STORAGE NEWS

Tanking up on solar power for clean mobility SOLH2UB REFUELLING STATION: In mid October Fronius opened the first green hydrogen refuelling station in Austria in its bid to drive forward the efficient integration of the electricity, heat and mobility sectors. The system uses solar energy to produce clean hydrogen, which can be used to power vehicles with fuel cells. The project represents another step towards the Fronius vision of ‘24 hours of sun’ in the company’s belief hydrogen has an important

role to play in sector integration. That is, the efficient use of renewable energy for electricity, heat and mobility. Fronius is working toward delivering solutions for the production of green hydrogen, generated using excess solar energy from photovoltaic systems. The trial site produces hydrogen largely from excess solar energy using electrolysis – this hydrogen can then be used by on-site fuel cell vehicles or it can be stored for reconversion

into electricity and heat. Fronius developed the components including electrolysis systems and stationary fuel cells. “SOLH2UB serves as a central hub for solar energy and enables the innovative integration of the electricity, mobility and heat sectors,” said Martin Hackl. “We are convinced that hydrogen has the potential to be the energy source of the future and drive forward sector integration, as well as the energy revolution. www.fronius.com

Fronius recently opened the first green hydrogen refuelling station in Austria. Pictured are Elisabeth Engelbrechtsmüller-Strauß, CEO; Martin Hackl, head of Solar Energy at Fronius International.

Victoria welcomes first of two grid-scale batteries THE MUCH ANTICIPATED UNVEILING of Victoria’s first grid scale battery took place in mid October. Known as Ballarat Battery Energy Storage System or BESS the 30 MW/30 MWh project was jointly funded by ARENA and the Victorian Government under its $50 million energy storage initiative. The battery is capable of powering more than 20,000 homes for an hour of critical peak demand before being recharged and, importantly, avoids the need for further investment in the congested network. A consortium led by Downer Spotless completed the battery that was supplied by Fluence which is the joint venture between AES and Siemens and the name behind a series of large scale battery projects around the world. However Fluence is perhaps best known for its 100 MW/400 MWh project in Long Beach south of Los Angeles.

28 SUMMER 2018

INCORPORATING THE

sonnen battery factory: a first for Australia THIS MONTH marks the start of a new era in Australia’s storage industry with the opening of the much–anticipated sonnen battery factory in Adelaide. Located at the site of the old General Motors plant in Elizabeth, the sonnen plant plans to produce 10,000 batteries each year. The batteries are destined not just for Australia but also for export to the Asia Pacific region. It’s good news all round, with up to 430 jobs created at the factory. Timing of the factory opening could not be better, with the commencement of South Australia’s $100 million Home Battery Scheme in which as many as 40,000 South Australian households will have access to $100 million in state government subsidies to pay for the installation of home battery systems. The Home Battery Scheme subsidy varies depending on the size of the battery purchased, with the average household eligible for $500 kWh and energy concession holders $600 kWh, capped at $6000. Demand is set to soar. sonnen’s chief operating officer Oliver Koch said “Customers who invest in a sonnenBatterie produce a positive ripple effect on Australia’s economy through their purchase with hundreds of direct and indirect jobs generated for Australia’s manufacturing industry. “It will also enable sonnen to accelerate its battery roll-out program to create a ‘virtual power plant’, an important new renewable energy source for Australia.”

New management Well-known industry identity Nathan Dunn has moved from Enphase Energy into the role of sonnen managing director for Australia and Asia Pacific. He replaces Chris Parratt. Stepping into his new role, Nathan said “Working with sonnen, I believe we will revitalise the pride of Australia’s manufacturing heritage and set a new milestone to position South Australia as a beacon for cleantech manufacturing globally.” In more good news for South Australians, peer-to-peer lender RateSetter has signed a $100 million funding deal with the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to finance loans where

However BESS is the first big battery storage project in Australia for Fluence, whose marketing VP Praveen Kathpal commended Australia on its speed of storage developments while noting the work that’s been done in other parts of the world has greatly accelerated the pace at which Australia can develop. Victoria’s energy minister Lily D’Ambrosio says battery storage projects of the size and scale of BESS are key to helping the state transition to an affordable, reliable and clean energy system under its 40 per cent renewable energy target by 2025. “We said we would deliver this for Victoria, and that’s exactly what we’ve done,” D’Ambrosio declared. “We’re modernising our electricity grid, strengthening our energy security and delivering real action on climate change.” ARENA chief executive Darren Miller explained that BESS is designed for fast-response uses like short-term peak capacity and frequency regulation and will help to improve grid stability in Western Victoria. “As we have seen with the success of large-scale batteries in South Australia, grid scale batteries have an important role to play in providing

the upfront costs of the home battery system installations are not met by South Australia’s government subsidies. www.sonnen.com.au

short term energy storage and rapid response injections of power to help stabilise the grid,” he said. “This battery will help to ease constraints on transmission lines in Western Victoria that currently curtail the output of wind and solar, while also helping to bring in more renewables to the grid.” BESS is owned by AusNet Services and operated by EnergyAustralia whose chief executive Cath Tanna emphasised the role of batteries in providing grid reliability which is important when coal plants retire and are replaced by wind and solar power. “That’s where utility-scale batteries come into their own by storing wind and solar energy for quick release, keeping the lights on and costs down,” Tanna said. ARENA and the Victorian government have also funded a second largescale battery project: the 25 MW/50 MWh Gannawarra battery system that is co-located at the 60 MW Gannawarra Solar Farm. Constructed and owned by Edify and Wirsol and supplied by Tesla, the system is also expected to be ready for summer and will be operated by EnergyAustralia under a long-term off-take agreement. http://fluenceenergy.com/

Solar & Storage 29

SUSTAINABILITY

Gardens by the Bay: botanical wonderland Glorious displays of exotic greenery double as a wake-up call about climate change. WITH ITS RICH COLONIAL PAST the city-state of Singapore is home to a melting pot of cultures and architectural design, and more than its fair share of tourist shops and glitzy shopping malls. For those with a greater interest in the diverse world of colourful, rare and exotic plants, Gardens by the Bay offers a refreshing breather. Spread over 101 hectares, garden highlights are as plentiful as they are eye-catching, not least of which are the flared shaped ‘Super Trees’ vertical gardens equipped with PV cells. Set on the canopies the PV system harvests solar energy that powers the colourful night-time illuminations that have become one of Singapore’s most popular ‘must see’ attractions. Nearby are two giant glasshouse conservatories that would be declared unique global landmarks were it not for the fact their structure and botanical content are not unlike the equally spectacular Eden Project in the UK. (One big difference is location: one a five-hour car drive on an off-season, good day from the country capital of London, the other a short ride on a metro train departing the town centre every five minutes.) Spanning one hectare, Singapore’s glasshouse Flower dome is the world’s largest columnless glasshouse and the setting for ever changing floral displays: orchids in August and sunflowers in September, tulips and blossoms at other times of the year amid the more permanent Mediterranean and temperate climate trees and plants.

IMAGES: WAYNE SMITH AND OLIVIA SCHAVERIEN

30 SUMMER 2018

The slightly smaller footprint of the Cloud Forest is made up for by its height, rising more than 50 metres with its â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Cloud Mountainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; vertical centrepiece housing the unique biodiversity of cool moist tropical plants: orchids, ferns, peacock ferns, clubmosses, bromeliads and anthuriums (epiphytes for the botanically minded). The eye catching 35-metre waterfall gracing the entry to the tropical forest draws gasps from first-time visitors. At the base of the Cloud Forest is a labyrinth funnelling visitors through the IMAX sized Cloud Forest Theatre. The setting is dark and the mood sombre with the giant screen issuing warnings about the perils of climate change through a time-lapse display that clocks projected rises in annual temperatures and sea levels to 2100 and the environmental devastation wrought by global warming. The oversized image helps project the fragility of the planet and the gravity of the current trajectory, sending up a powerful message that acts as a reality check for the more than 30 million visitors that have passed through the Gardens. And who might as a consequence be a little less inclined to pop in to a shopping mall on the way home.

Smart energy The two landmark energy efficient glass conservatories at Gardens by the Bay are based on sustainable building technologies and principles of environmental sustainability. Cutting-edge technologies present energy-efficient solutions in cooling that help achieve around one third in energy consumption compared to conventional cooling technologies, and solar heat gain is minimised.

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Electricity is generated on-site to run chillers that cool the conservatories, and waste heat is captured in the process to regenerate the liquid desiccant. Cogeneration is achieved through a Combined Heat Power steam turbine that is fed by horticultural waste from the gardens and other parks around Singapore, and reduces dependency on the electrical grid.

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CHIEF SCIENTIST

THE SCIENCE IS CLEAR: we have to start creating our low-carbon future today By Alan Finkel, Australia’s Chief Scientist, Office of the Chief Scientist THE RELEASE OF THE SPECIAL REPORT from the Intergovernmental Panel

out how to get there while maximising our economic growth. It requires

on Climate Change (IPCC) has put scientific evidence on the front page

an orderly transition, and that transition will have to be managed over

of the world’s newspapers.

several decades.

As Australia’s Chief Scientist, I hope it will be recognised as a tremendous validation of the work that scientists do. The people of the world, speaking through their governments, requested this report to quantify the impacts of warming by 1.5°C and what steps might be taken to limit it. They asked for the clearest possible picture of the consequences and feasible solutions.

That is why my review of the National Electricity Market called for a whole-of-economy emissions reduction strategy for 2050, to be in place by the end of 2020. We have to be upfront with the community about the magnitude of the task. In a word, it is huge. Many of the technologies in the IPCC’s most optimistic scenarios are at

It is not my intention in this article to offer a detailed commentary

an early stage, or conceptual. Two that stand out in that category are:

on the IPCC’s findings. I commend the many scientists with expertise in

• carbon dioxide removal (CDR): large-scale technologies to remove

climate systems who have helped Australians to understand the messages of this report. My purpose is to urge all decision-makers – in government, industry and the community – to listen to the science.

Focus on the goal It would be possible for the public to take an overwhelming sense of

carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and • carbon capture and sequestration (CCS): technology to capture and store carbon dioxide from electricity generation. It will take a decade or more for these technologies to be developed to the point at which they have proven impact, then more decades to be widely deployed. The IPCC’s pathways for rapid emissions reduction also include a

despair. The message I take is that we do not have time for fatalism. We

substantial role for behavioural change. Behavioural change is with us

have to look squarely at the goal of a zero-emissions planet, then work

always, but it is incremental.

“

My purpose is to urge all decision-makers – in government, industry and the community – to listen to the science.

32 SUMMER 2018

INCORPORATING THE

Driving change of this magnitude, across all societies, in fundamental matters like the homes we build and the foods we eat, will only succeed if we give it time – and avoid the inevitable backlash from pushing too fast. The IPCC has made it clear that the level of emissions reduction we can achieve in the next decade will be crucial. So we cannot afford to wait.

Many options No option should be ruled off the table without rigorous consideration. In that context, the Finkel Review pointed to a crucial role for natural gas, particularly in the next vital decade, as we scale up renewable energy. The IPCC has made the same point, not just for Australia but for the world. The question should not be “renewables or coal”. The focus should be on atmospheric greenhouse emissions. This is the outcome that matters. Denying ourselves options makes it harder, not easier, to get to the goal. There also has to be serious consideration of other options modelled by the IPCC, including biofuels, catchment hydroelectricity, and nuclear power.

Solar made simple

My own focus in recent months has been on the potential for clean hydrogen, the newest entrant to the world’s energy markets. In future, I expect hydrogen to be used as an alternative to fossil fuels to power long-distance travel for cars, trucks, trains and ships; for heating buildings; for electricity storage; and, in some countries, for electricity generation. We have in Australia the abundant resources required to produce clean hydrogen for the global market at a competitive price, on either of the two viable pathways: splitting water using solar and wind electricity, or deriving hydrogen from natural gas and coal in combination with carbon capture and sequestration. Building an export hydrogen industry will be a major undertaking. But it will also bring jobs and infrastructure development, largely in regional communities, for decades. So the scale of the task is all the more reason to press on today – at the same time as we press on with mining lithium for batteries, clearing the path for electric vehicles, planning more carbon-efficient cities, and so much more. There are no easy answers. I hope, through this and other reports, there are newly determined people ready to contribute to the global good. This article originally appeared in ‘The Conversation’.

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CLIMATE COUNCIL

TRACKING PROGRESS FIRST THE SHOCK TREATMENT (and we are not talking pool chemicals here): “If other countries adopted similar climate policies to Australia, then global average temperature rise could reach over 3°C.” That is one of a few home truths delivered by the Climate Council’s most recent state and territory Renewable Energy Scorecard which once again emphasised the importance of state and territory leadership if Australia is to do its fair share to reduce greenhouse gas pollution. This of course is in the context of the ongoing absence of credible national climate policy, Luckily as the infographic on this page clearly illustrates, the states are stepping up to the plate. With the exception of Western Australia, all states and territories have committed to renewable energy targets and/or net zero emissions targets. The ACT, Tasmania and South Australia continue to lead the charge across a range of renewable energy measures – based on each state’s proportion of renewable energy, wind and solar capacity per capita, proportion of households with solar, and renewable energy targets and policies. However Victoria and Queensland are catching up. Despite some positive steps, Western Australia, New South Wales and the Northern Territory lag behind the other states and territories when measured against the renewable energy scorecard criteria. (Note: this report was delivered before the NSW news of a raft of significant renewable energy projects. See news page 6). Despite Western Australia’s low share of renewable energy, the state has the third highest proportion of households with rooftop solar. The Northern Territory has a low share of renewable electricity and solar households, but is set to implement its plan to reach 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030. Among the key findings: • Queensland has more renewable

• Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales are home to the vast majority of these projects. • Queensland and Victoria have ambitious renewable energy targets and policies to increase the amount of renewable energy. • South Australia has at least eight new projects under construction and is on track for 73 per cent renewable electricity in just two years. And it’s a jobs fest! Australia’s current renewable energy construction boom is creating almost 10,000 jobs and adding over 10,000 MW in new wind and

energy projects under construction

solar capacity.

than any other state.

World picture

• Almost 10,000 jobs are being created in the renewable energy industry across

Globally, more solar PV capacity was added

Australia with 69 wind and solar plants

around the world than coal, natural gas and

under construction.

nuclear combined.

34 SUMMER 2018

• Almost three-quarters of new energy generation capacity added globally was renewable in 2017. • Electricity generation from coal and gas fell for the fifth consecutive year. • Approximately 17 countries generated more than 90 per cent of their electricity with renewable energy in 2017. Australia was not one of them. “Australia is already experiencing the devastating impacts of climate change, such as worsening extreme weather events. To effectively tackle climate change we must accelerate the transition to renewables and storage technologies,” the report states. Read the full report at www.climatecouncil.org.au

INCORPORATING THE

MARKET REPORT

Smashing solar records THE CLEAN ENERGY REGULATOR recently released its 2018 Large-scale Renewable Energy Target market data for September which showed a record 34 power stations were accredited with a combined capacity of 667 MW. The previous record was set just a few months ago in July 2018 in which 393 MW of large-scale solar was registered. (Large-scale solar = >100kW.) Five utility-scale projects account for 658 MW of September’s accredited capacity: • Coleambally Solar Farm in NSW – 189 megawatts • Daydream Solar Farm, Qld – 181 megawatts These two solar farms are Australia’s largest. However once constructed and accredited the 300 megawatt Limondale Sun Farm in NSW which has reached financial close will be the largest in Australia. • Bungala Two Solar Farm – Qld – 138 megawatts (this doubling of capacity renders Bungala the nation’s biggest solar farm). • Emerald Solar Park – Qld – 90 megawatts, and • Hayman Solar Farm – Qld – 60 megawatts. More large-scale renewable energy capacity has been accredited so far this year than in any previous year since 2001. With 2799 MW now accredited, this overtakes the previous record of 1088 MW in 2017, according to the Clean Energy Regulator. During the last quarter 1.56 GW was registered with the Clean Energy Regulator which is more PV capacity than the entire year of 2017, which set a record in itself. In other notable events, Victoria’s Renewable Energy Auction Scheme results saw six projects with a combined capacity of 886 megawatts sign power purchase agreements through this process. During September the total of new solar PV registered for the month was greater than 725 MW which sets a new record for the largest volume of new solar in one month. Australia now boasts more than 10.1 GW of solar, capable of delivering 14.6 TWhrs and meeting more than 5.5 per cent of Australia’s energy demand. It is estimated that every GW of solar requires the installation and connection of over three million solar panels and creates more than 1,000 full-time jobs a year.

Commercial and small-scale rooftop PV 1.95 million installations in Australia, and growing … The commercial and residential rooftop solar PV market is also performing very strongly and with more than 15,000 installations added each month the two million barrier could be smashed by the end of 2018. Australia is on track to exceed 1 GW in installed rooftop solar for the twelve months of this year.

State comparisons Leaders in installed wind and solar capacity: • South Australia - 1,831 MW • New South Wales - 1,759 MW • Victoria - 1,634 MW • On a per capita basis, South Australia, the ACT and Tasmania are the leaders. • Queensland and South Australia have the highest proportion of households with rooftop solar, at 32.9 per cent and 32.3 per cent respectively. • Western Australia takes third place with 26.7 per cent of households with rooftop solar. Source: The Climate Council

36 SUMMER 2018

INCORPORATING THE

THE ENERGY TRANSITION DNV GL’s Energy Transition Outlook 2018, a forecast to 2050 ALL SIGNS POINT TO AN ENERGY INDUSTRY that is on the brink of profound change: from 2035 onwards the world will need less energy owing to rapid energy efficiency gains, and primary energy supply could well peak in 2032. The world’s energy system will decarbonise, with the 2050 primary energy mix split equally between fossil and non-fossil sources, according to DNV’s annual Energy Transition Outlook The decarbonisation of the energy mix will be reflected in investment trends with money spent on renewables set to triple by 2050. Conversely, fossil fuel spending will drop by around a third. Overall, the rate of energy expenditure will slow to such a degree that by mid-century, as a percentage of GDP, the world will be spending 44 per cent less on energy than today. The report listed a peaking of oil demand in the 2020s and takeover by natural gas as the biggest energy source in 2026. Existing oil fields will deplete at a faster rate than the decrease in oil demand, and new oil fields will be required through to 2040. Electricity consumption will more than double by mid-century to meet 45 per cent of world energy demand, and solar PV and wind

energy will supply more than two thirds of that electricity. Big shifts in investments are expected: more capital expenditure will go into grids and renewables than into fossil projects from 2029 onwards. In less positive news, the rapid transition forecast by DNV GL will not be sufficient to achieve the less than 2°C climate goal, and ‘extraordinary measures’ are necessary to further reduce carbon emissions to meet the ambitions of the Paris Agreement. A combination of greater energy efficiency, more renewables and more carbon capture and storage is needed.

Learning curves This year’s annual Outlook DNV GL also discussed ’learning curves’ where the cost of a technology decreases by a constant fraction with every doubling of installed capacity, owing to greater experience, expertise and industrial efficiencies associated with market deployment and ongoing research and development. The learning rate for PV is historically 18 per cent and DNV expects this to continue and to drive down the cost of new installations.

In those systems dominated by variable renewables, as expected in several regions after 2040, storage capacity will be crucial and begin to dominate towards 2050 in several regions. The learning curve for battery energy storage is expected to at least match that of wind and solar, consequently vehicle price/performance parity between internal combustion engine vehicles and battery electric vehicles will occur by 2024.

Favourable policies Despite some notable exceptions, global policies continue to favour renewables technology. Last year, new renewable power capacity additions were more than double the new power capacity additions from fossil fuels and a reallocation of funds towards cleaner technology is underway. “The transition is undeniable. Last year, more gigawatts of renewable energy were added than those from fossil fuels and this is reflected in where lenders are putting their money,” said Remi Eriksen, Group President and CEO of DNV GL. “The attention of boardrooms and cabinets should be fixed on the dramatic energy transition that is unfolding. As money and policy increasingly favour gas and renewables, the rapidly electrifying energy system will deliver efficiency gains that outpace GDP and population growth. This will result in a world needing less energy within half a generation from now. “We need to capitalise on the affordability of the energy transition and take extraordinary measures to create a sustainable future. We have a window of opportunity to increase energy efficiency, renewable energy and carbon capture and storage to meet the Paris Agreement but we must act now,” said Eriksen. Issues around carbon pricing schemes, incentives for EV infrastructure, and for wind and solar, road transport energy use, maritime, aviation building and manufacturing sectors are also discussed in the report that can be found at https://eto.dnvgl.com/2018/download The energy forecast is based on data from thousands of DNV GL engineers working in both the oil and gas sector, and in power and energy use. Their conclusions help analysts and decision makers in organisations involved directly or indirectly in the energy supply chain to develop their future strategic options.

Solar & Storage 37

THE CEFC HAS NOTCHED UP a record $2.3 billion in new investment

“The CEFC has a clear charter to be a catalyst for investment in and

commitments in its most active year to date with a focus on

financing of clean energy to achieve the long-term goal of decarbonising

technological innovation to cut energy costs and lower emissions.

the Australian economy,” said CEFC Chair Steven Skala.

As illustrated in the charts below, in just five short years the CEFC has delivered investment commitments in projects that will result in lifetime cuts to greenhouse gas emissions of more than 190 million tonnes. In all CEFC commitments have contributed to clean energy projects with a total project value of around $19 billion, with direct investment in more than 110 individual transactions and financing of more than 5,500 smaller-scale clean energy projects through CEFC partners. A look at the breakup of new commitments in 2017-18 revealed a diverse portfolio: $1.1 billion in renewable energy, $944 million in energy efficiency, $100 million in transport and $127 million in waste-related projects. In the 12 months to 30 June 2018, the CEFC directly committed to 39

“We are a global leader among institutions of our type. Our methodology is to seek to crowd in private sector investment and engage capital markets to operate effectively in the private energy sector. [Our] investments include marquee projects and highlight that decarbonisation can be achieved profitably and effectively right across the clean energy sector – in renewable energy, energy efficiency, transport and wasterelated projects. CEFC chief executive Ian Learmonth commented on the changes since the CEFC began investing in 2013, with clean energy technologies being embraced by home owners and small businesses; essential infrastructure projects and landmark property developments; and innovative start-ups and institutional investors with an eye to a sustainable future. In the year ahead the CEFC plans to sharpen its focus on the emissions

transactions, up from 36 direct investments in 2016-17. Total new CEFC

impact of its investments, from the direct carbon reductions of financed

commitments in 2017-18 were $2.3 billion, up from $2.1 billion in the

projects to the indirect demonstration benefits of the projects and

previous year.

companies invested in, and an increasing focus on biocarbon.

38 SUMMER 2018

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Heed the warnings “The consensus in the scientific community is that Australia is not currently on track to reduce emissions and meet its Paris Agreement commitments. It needs to listen to the science and the economics, and lead the country towards decarbonisation. Failure to do so will have profound consequences on the country’s standing in the international community and its future prospects in terms of innovation and economic opportunity.” Laurence Tubiana, chief executive of the European Climate Foundation

“The economy of the 21st century will be driven by education and skills and it will be driven by clean energy technology. No economy will prosper without both of these engine rooms of growth and equity firing.” Wayne Swan, ALP Member for Lilley and past treasurer

“As an investor in energy, I’ve seen that there’s no way coal can compete any more … renewables have gotten too cheap, firming costs are reasonable, and really there’s no trade-off anymore between lowering your power bills and reducing emissions. And yet still, some would like to prosecute a culture war over this issue, for whatever their reasons.” Singapore-based investment banker Alex Turnbull, son of Malcolm

“Most sensible people don’t think that believing in the science of climate change is a left or right position; it is simply believing in scientists, not ideologues.” Peter FitzSimons, in the context of references to ‘leftist’ things such as the dangers of climate change

“It’s nonsense [to suggest ramping up Emissions Reduction Fund would result in Australia’s Paris targets being met] because the ERF is doing nothing at the moment and it’s a very expensive way of achieving emissions reductions if it did work. The ERF is a stupid policy.” Hugh Saddler, climate change and energy expert and associate professor at ANU “Politicians in Canberra can’t seem to agree about what to do with emissions, and it truly does make managing the transition difficult. We’ve got to handle these things together, and it’s complicated ... we really do have to keep a very close eye on what’s happening with our emissions reductions. While the National Energy Guarantee wasn’t necessarily the greatest way to do things, it did complement reliability and emissions together.” Energy Security Board chair Dr Kerry Schott

“If you don’t care about doing the right thing by the environment, then you actually have no right to be the government of Australia.” ALP leader Bill Shorten, who reiterated the party’s goal for 50 per cent renewables in the energy mix by 2030 “We’re determined to make the next Australian election the climate election.” ACF “If we have [an energy] transition, which is exactly what the Finkel Review identified, from one resource mix to another, certainly we could keep the lights on. But it requires a plan, it requires a plan that could be actionable.” Audrey Zibelman, chief executive of AEMO whose Integrated System Plan can facilitate an orderly energy system transition under a range of scenarios

OUT and ABOUT MONASH SMART ENERGY CITY PROJECT ARENA is partnering with Monash University and technology partner Indra Australia to trial a microgrid on Monash’s Clayton campus that will see the campus powered by renewable energy. ARENA will kick-in $2.97 million to the microgrid that will be operated as a grid connected smart embedded network containing a variety of distributed energy resources including up to 1 MW of rooftop solar, 20 buildings with automated energy management systems, 1 MWh of battery storage and electric vehicle charging stations.

The Smart Energy Council’s NSW SMART ENERGY SUMMIT takes place in Sydney on Tuesday December 4. The full-day event will focus on the range of renewable energy projects and smart energy innovation underway, with presentations by 20 high profile industry thought leaders including Simon Holmes à Court, Jon Dee, Minister Don Harwin and Tim Buckley. 8.30am to 5.00pm smartenergy.org.au/nswsummit

A HOMEWARD BOUND team is currently taking part in a one-year training and research program that will finalise with an expedition to Antarctica. The group will depart from Ushuaia (Argentina) on 31 December and return on 19 January 2019. Spanish company ACCIONA is sponsoring the ice cap expedition in which 79 female scientists from 35 countries will observe first-hand the impact of climate change and investigate ways to work toward its mitigation. Christiana Figueres, global leader against climate change and ACCIONA Board member, is participating in the expedition that she says “highlights women’s leadership in the global conversation on climate change mitigation.”

THE ENERGY CHANGE INSTITUTE has won $10 million in funding in the ANU’s 2018 Grand Challenge for its ‘Zero-Carbon Energy for the Asia-Pacific’ project and research into a new export industry to deliver cheap, clean energy for Australia and the region. The Zero-Carbon project will catalyse the development of a major renewable energy export industry from the ground up: building the infrastructure, exploring the trade relationships, developing the policy frameworks to get Australia’s abundant renewable energy resources cheaply and reliably to our Asia-Pacific neighbours. The winning team is led by Professor Ken Baldwin from the ANU ECI and includes (pictured below) Dr Paul Burke, Professor Kylie Catchpole and Dr Emma Aisbett.

QUEENSLAND SOLAR FARM GUIDELINES have

Dr Lynham, Queensland Energy Minister

been prepared to help industry achieve positive outcomes as the large-scale solar sector develops under the state program to lower greenhouse gas emissions, attract investment and create jobs. The Guidelines aim to assist communities, landowners and project proponents by providing information about the legislative framework which governs solar farm developments in Queensland, the planning and development process, and practical guidance for effective community engagement practices.

THE GREENS PARTY has proposed launching a government-

need to be an expert to see that big private companies, whose

owned energy retailer in a bid to lower energy prices. Greens leader Richard Di Natale said the publicly-owned energy retailer ‘Power Australia’ would reduce bill shock. During the last financial year with profits soaring by 54 per cent the big three retailers notched up $2.3 billion in profits. “You don’t

legal requirement is to maximise their own profits, should not

42 SUMMER 2018

also be handed the responsibility of looking after our health, our education, or even our ability to turn the lights on,” Di Natale said. “Quite simply, corporate interests should not be in charge of essential public services.”

INCORPORATING THE

COMPANY INNOVATION and UPDATES SELECTRONIC has added the new SelectSun 3 Phase GridTie Inverter and SP PRO Advanced Multi-Phase Upgrade Kit to its product offering. The SelectSun 3 Phase Grid-Tie inverter is the result of a technology partnership with European manufacturer, REFU Elektronic. Available in 20kW and 40kW models, SelectSun uses patented, UltraEta® 5 level topology for high energy yields, as well as integrated monitoring via the REFUlog portal.

JA SOLAR is supplying all solar modules to South Australian Water Corporation’s 4.14MW coastal photovoltaic project. The project is part of SA Water’s efforts to achieve zero net electricity costs, which is of great significance in promoting the development of new energy in Australia. SA Water operates more than 27,000 kilometres of water supply pipelines and provides water services to over 1.7 million customers across South Australia.

B1 HUB AND WATTWATCHERS have joined forces. The B1 Hub Australia team is bringing the international B.One smart hub offerings to the Australasian marketplace and a smart integration with Wattwatchers will deliver a novel Energy Management System (EMS) that facilitates simple, practical and affordable ways for homes and businesses to monitor and control electricity in real-time through the cloud. B1 Hub Australia chief executive Anup Raghavan says adding the EMS is a logical move for the Australian marketplace, given the national focus on high energy prices and the real potential to save money by managing energy better. The B.One product suite is also being expanded with the addition of the B.One Mini – an ultra-compact option to ‘big brother’ B.One Hub that also works with Wattwatchers.

Rooftop solar performance management and fault diagnosis software company SOLAR

TRINA SOLAR has received a top rating in the latest annual module bankability report, published by Bloomberg NEF. The module manufacturer has the added honour of being rated fully bankable three times in a row by 100 per cent of industry experts participating in the BNEF survey.

ANALYTICS has entered into an

exclusive distribution partnership with SUPPLY PARTNERS. Solar Analytics also recently acquired the intellectual property of energy tech startup, Matter Solar, enabling Solar Analytics to enter the burgeoning peer-to-peer energy trading market. A trial project is already underway in Sydney.

ALPHA TECHNOLOGIES has

INVERTER SUPPLIER SUNGROW POWER recently started shipping products from its utility and large-scale commercial range into Australia, a decision that will triple the size of its product portfolio in the country. The move recognises the need to increase competition in the hotly contested markets of commercial and utility solar, and allows Sungrow to access every market for solar in Australia for both solar and batteries. REDBACK TECHNOLOGIES founder and CEO, Philip Livingston, has transitioned from his current role to become senior advisor and non-executive board member of the company. Patrick Matweew, chief operating officer has been promoted to replace Phil Livingston, who is described as “a visionary entrepreneur who has created one of Australia’s most exciting start-ups in a sector that’s been ripe for disruption”.

Derick Martins of Alpha Technologies

been appointed master distributor to the Australian & New Zealand market for the full range of SimpliPhi’s lithium ion batteries for commercial and residential energy storage solutions. The arrangement builds on the SimpliPhi Power, OutBack and Alpha Technologies collaborations in the US and Europe, including helping to cool Hawaii schools, powering an off-grid energy system for California Governor Jerry Brown and delivering a solar and storage nanogrid to help restore power to the island of Dominica after Hurricane Maria.

Solar & Storage 43

TECHNOLOGY

Full throttle for Fronius Prominent inverter manufacturer Fronius is a few steps closer to 24 hours of sun, 24 hours renewables.

IN HIS ROLE of Asia-Pacific area sales manager for Fronius Hans-Georg Einwagner covers a vast territory spanning India to New Zealand and all in between – Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines as well as Australia. He recently visited Australia and during that time Solar & Storage managed to catch up with Hans-Georg to hear his views on the global solar and storage market, and by all accounts Australia is something of a shining star, a jewel in the crown. Globally, the past two years have been very positive for Fronius which has recorded its biggest two years to date in terms of output on inverter units, however Australia remains its largest and most successful market. “The Australian market is not only a huge market but it is also growing quite rapidly, and our market share here is good,” Hans-Georg said, and state dynamics are kicking in. “What we are seeing is that South Australia is ramping up now with its home battery incentive scheme and Fronius inverters are playing a part in the rollout. Western Australia too is quite successful for us as it has a mainly 3-phase market for houses which is similar to Europe. “It is always nice seeing a move closer to ‘24 hours of sun’ – 24 hours renewables – which is the company motto. And here in Australia there are many really good solar and storage technology companies who are our partners in solar systems. Australia is one step ahead with its good quality systems and service partners and the focus on bringing quality units to the end consumer,” said the Austrian based manager. “That is a good fit with Fronius which has a focus on high quality systems and procedures.” Hans-Georg says the sweet spot lies in Australia’s residential and small commercial market with rooftop solar PV systems sized up to 100 kW, he has also noticed the trend toward larger residential systems due to higher electricity consumption compared to their European counterparts due

“ ” Asia-Pacific area sales manager for Fronius Hans-Georg Einwagner

Australia is one step ahead with its good

quality systems and

service partners and the

focus on bringing quality

units to the end consumer.

to domestic appliances including air conditioners and pool filters. “Solar system sizes are increasing here even without storage, but many homeowners are planning ahead by installing solar PV systems up to 8 kW so they can add a battery later.” The decrease in prices is also driving the trend toward larger sized systems, he said, and in turn the demand for larger battery storage systems.

Sustainable costs The rise and rise of the solar industry has in the past been helped along by government incentives both here and in Europe but, as Hans-Georg notes, most incentives have been phased out or whittled down. “Most of the feed in tariffs [in Europe] were removed yet the market is not slowing as system prices are coming down … this proves the removal of feed in tariffs is not so vital a factor in uptake. “Industry dynamics are still favourable as solar power is now paying for itself, and given the relatively high cost of electricity in Australia solar systems stack up economically. “Models are getting cheaper based on economies of scale and technical improvements, and a sustainable market

44 SUMMER 2018

INCORPORATING THE

Electric vehicles and ‘green’ hydrogen Fronius is also heavily involved in research on ‘green’ hydrogen storage and hydrogen for EVs enabling them to travel longer distances. (See story on Fronius opening of first green hydrogen refuelling station in Austria on page 28.) The EV efforts extend to business solutions at commercial premises with rooftop solar PV and EV chargers for company cars, employees or visitors for industrial buildings providing control over the time of the charge. All in keeping of course with ’24 hours of sun’. comes into play as soon as solar is paying itself off by the savings from power bills. That is what is happening in Germany and Austria right now.”

Updated inverters Fronius is currently testing a new inverter series in Europe which comes with an integrated output back-up system providing ample power supply in the event of grid failure. The Fronius GEN24 Plus will be a single phase and three

phase hybrid inverter, also compatible with LG CHEM RESU and BYD Battery Box. “This will really close the gap on the single phase hybrids available and there will also be a larger three phase, which is 6-10 kW. It will also come with full backup capabilities as well,” Hans-Georg explained. “With the GEN24 Plus range we mean full backup – which means you can supply your entire house if the grid goes down, with or without battery depending on the PV power

installed. There is another feature called the PV Point which can provide some backup power, so perhaps for a fridge or freezer or wifi router.” The main emphasis over the next few months is ensuring full reliability before the GEN24 Plus range is released onto the market mid next year, and Hans-Georg stressed it will need to be certified according to Australian standards, a thorough process that takes some effort. It’s all about quality. www.fronius.com

COMPANY PROFILE

Enhar activities COMMERCIAL SOLAR CONSULTANCY Enhar has been helping to transform the landscape which can be seen in satellite images of the University of Melbourne’s Parkville and Southbank campuses. The University appointed Enhar as project superintendent to help bring approximately 2 MW worth of projects to fruition at the Parkville, Southbank, Dookie and Werribee campuses, which include an awardwinning installation. Enhar also assisted La Trobe University with the feasibility, planning, design and installation of its first 100 kWp solar carport at the Wodonga campus which now brings the total installed capacity within their regional campuses to over 800 kWp. “We work hard for our clients to ensure their renewable energy projects are technically rigorous, financially sound, and to ensure that projects are designed, installed and operated to high standards” Enhar Director Demian Natakhan said.

46 SUMMER 2018

He explained that he and his fellow director Trevor Ackland have grown the Enhar team which now delivers technical advice, design, tendering, documentation and grid connection assistance for solar rooftop, carpark, ground mounted solar and battery hybrid systems. “With solar farms also booming, we have tooled up more staff and skills to deliver utility scale project development services. Our team is currently working for commercial and Council clients designing and developing solar farms from small to large scale. “It is a historic time when renewable energy is now beating fossil fuels on price, political discord is becoming less relevant and the industry and customers are just getting on with it!” The Enhar team of accredited solar engineers looks forward to working on more renewable energy projects with universities, councils and corporate clients and continuing to support solar industry best practice. www.enhar.com.au

INCORPORATING THE

THE POWER OF solar partnerships IN EARLY OCTOBER LONGi Solar and UNSW co-signed a contract to mark the renewal of a strategic PV research partnership that has boosted cell efficiency, making rooftop PV more affordable for all. The LONGi Solar and UNSW partnership dates back to 2015 when LONGi and UNSW reached agreement on technology R&D and industrialisation of efficient cell technology, efficient module technology and low LID technology. Speaking at a media event staged to mark the occassion, LONGi Solar Vice President Tang Xuhui said “The cooperation is of great significance to both sides, and will also promote the in-depth exchange of PV technologies between Australia and China. “The PV industry is driven by technology. LONGi has always attached great importance to scientific research. Through close cooperation with UNSW, we have made great strides in innovation that contributes to high efficiency technology solutions in the industry, brings high

LONGi activities LONGi plans to export more than 50 per cent of its module products to overseas markets by 2020, and Australia is an important destination. In the eight months to August 2018, LONGi exported more than 100 MW of modules to Australia, and has secured more than 200 MW of orders with EPCs and investors. The company believes efficient monocrystalline PERC products with higher efficiency and lower LCOE will gain greater market share over the coming years. Earlier this year LONGi achieved a record 23.6 per cent conversion efficiency with its PERC solar cells. On the back of its plans for expansion in Australia, LONGi is establishing offices in Sydney before Christmas this year, with staff providing after-sales service, sales and logistics support.

Warwick Dawson, Director of Knowledge Exchange, Division of Enterprise and LONGi Solar Vice President Tang Xuhui yield PV products to end users and accelerates the progress of PV grid parity. “Our objective is to make the world a better and safer place through environmental sustainability.” Warwick Dawson, Director of Knowledge Exchange, Division of Enterprise UNSW explained that the cooperation with LONGi during the past few years had achieved remarkable results. “We are taking our world-leading knowledge capability and technology and we are committed to knowledge-based partnerships that can truly transform societies worldwide. “There is no better example of that than our world leading solar source technology,” he said, explaining the establishment of the first stateof-the-art ‘Torch Innovation Precinct’ in 2016 in collaboration with the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, which has a network of 164 high-tech innovation partners across China. “The Torch precinct which brings together world leading capabilities is referred to as a shining light of cooperation between China and Australia,” Dawson said. “Since Chinese Premier

Li Keqiang and our prime minister signed the agreement we have had remarkable success in growing a pipeline of research and development contracts at around $1 million per week, which gains the attention of the highest leaders of both of our governments.” The technical advances made by UNSW are transforming society worldwide and are critical for the future, he said, referencing the great work and tragic loss of Stuart Wenham. Professors Martin Green and CheeMun Chong were continuing the legacy which has seen UNSW lead the world record for solar cell efficiency for much of the past three decades. A recent result of the partnership is lightinduced regeneration (LIR) technology – a monocrystalline low LID solution – which was jointly released by LONGi and UNSW in Shanghai in April last year. The technology completely eradicated the initial LID phenomenon and leads to higher capacity and lowers LCOE of monocrystalline module systems. “UNSW will continue to exchange advanced lab technologies with enterprises to accelerate the application of technologies to production lines,” Dawson said. http://en.longi-solar.com

Solar & Storage 47

COMPANY PROFILE

KIT AND CABOODLE: Trinahome TRINA SOLAR has extended its reach into the Australian market by

of energy here … this means the Trinahome kit will benefit more home

introducing it own branded hybrid inverter into the range. The addition

owners,” he said.

complements Trina solar modules and mounting and is known as the Trinahome solution. As the name implies, the system is targeted at the residential sector and builds on the company’s strong position with solar farms and large commercial and industrial projects throughout Australia. To date Trina Solar has supplied more than 1,500 MW of solar capacity to Australia, making it Trina Solar’s third largest market in Asia Pacific after China and India. The 3 kW to 10 kW inverter, which is compatible with other manufacturer’s batteries, is being touted for homes as well as small to medium sized businesses. Country sales manager Govind Kant told Solar & Storage that Trina hopes to take orders for 350 kits by the end of December 2018 and is looking at a minimum of 2000 next year. “One of our key partners is Origin energy which has a solid current customer base, with a [sales] team that approaches householders direct,” Kant explained. “And the Victorian government incentive to fund half the cost of panels and home storage batteries is already having a positive impact on the market.” Victoria and NSW represent the largest residential market, he said, while South Australia is stronger on commercial installations. However demand is now picking up in Western Australia and Queensland. Jun-Heong Ku, Senior sales director for Asia Pacific and the Middle East is gearing up for greater interest on the back of new and more affordable battery technology now entering the market. “The home storage dynamic will boost demand for Trina products in the residential market, and this is further boosted by the relatively high cost

48 SUMMER 2018

“Australia is already a large and a strong market for us, now we are preparing for the years ahead which will see the continued rise of the storage market. “We are well placed to catch the wave.” Comparing international markets, Ku mentioned the average sized rooftop PV in Australia of around 6 kW is twice that of Malaysia and India’s 3 kW. Trinahome is being targeted at all customer groups including those in the Middle East and again local market factors are favourable for uptake of home energy systems. In this case, Dubai’s removal of power subsidies means household bills are skyrocketing, Ku said, “So we anticipate much greater uptake of rooftop PV in that region. The appeal of solar systems is increasing too as the cost of systems reduce.”

Solar cell evolution Jun-Heong Ku also presented a snapshot into cell technology, citing the shift from poly(crystalline) cells to passivated emitter rear contact (PERC) cells that increase solar cell efficiency. “There will still be a niche market for poly cells but with the transition underway the use of PERC technology will become more widespread. Originally there was a cost advantage attached to poly cell production but now PERC makes better commercial sense.” According to Trina Solar PERC cells now account for about a third of the world’s solar cell market and forecasts suggest they will comprise more than half the market by 2022, and that is thanks in part to Trina Solar.

INCORPORATING THE

Sustainable desert city Last year saw the rollout of 40,000 Trina panels in Dubai’s 10 MW Sustainable City. The system is producing around 16 GWh annually and powers facilities including the 500 residential villas, a 170-room hotel, mosque, school, swimming pool, equestrian club and track. Hosting a population of around 2,000, the sustainable complex located 30 kilometres from Dubai City is one of the largest of its kind in operation in the Middle East, and the complex is reducing carbon emissions by 8,000 tonnes per year. Those with an aversion to dusting will be impressed by Trina’s Duomax panels which feature a first-of-type frameless design, ensuring no dust accumulation and requiring minimum cleaning.

Trina Solar’s Jun-Heong Ku and Govind Kant For more than a decade Trina Solar has played a key role along with UNSW scientists led by Professor Martin Green who developed the PERC technology. More recently Trina added hydrogenation to the research agenda, a process where hydrogen atoms inside the silicon crystal dock to impurities and defects to make them harmless. www.trinasolar.com/au

New inverter for Australians OCTOBER BROUGHT A NEW ENTRANT to the inverter market with the launch of Chinese made Kehua into Australia. The Kehua (pronounced Kee-wah) inverters are available through Powerark Solar, the 100 per cent Australian owned renewable energy wholesale distributor that sells a range of panels, inverters, batteries, mounts and electrical systems. Powerark Solar Head of Marketing, Michael Ziada describes the launch of Kehua inverters as “A significant step closer in helping individuals and businesses reduce their ever-increasing electricity bills [that] increases the overall value proposition of solar power. “It is exciting that we are launching this brand as it has a stellar reputation that expands over 30 years and is at the forefront of technological advancement becoming a brand Australians can trust’.

Michael says the solar inverter is the most sophisticated part of any grid-tie solar system and unfortunately it’s also the part most likely to have issues. “This is not surprising considering inverters are usually located outside in harsh weather conditions including rain, humidity and extreme heat, all while generating thousands of watts of power for up to 10 hours a day.” He emphasised the need to use a quality inverter with a proven track record of reliability and value. Headquartered in Melbourne, Powerark Solar has a footprint across Australia with distribution centres in WA, Victoria, Queensland, SA and NSW. www.powerarksolar.com.au

Solar & Storage 49

SOLAR HOT WATER

Wise ways with water AUSTRALIAN COMPANY SOLAHART traces its history back to 1901, however 1953 marked the move into the company’s signature product, the rooftop mounted solar hot water system, and the following decades brought a series of refinements, modifications and enlargements by the pioneering plumber. Solahart’s success is not confined to home shores: all up more than over one million Solahart systems have been installed in over 70 countries. Some of the more notable are found at Everest Base Camp, Antarctica, and at Nelson Mandela’s home in South Africa. Back in 2012 the company branched into rooftop PV and went on to win the tender for an eye-catching commercial rooftop PV system in Abu Dhabi. Then followed the move into battery storage by teaming up with Tesla and LG Chem. Clearly Solahart’s longevity lies in its ability to evolve, and this year brought a quantum leap in solar hot water innovation with the introduction of an Australian first, the PowerStore, a solar-smart electric water heater that taps into excess rooftop PV power to heat water by day rather than feeding it back to the grid. The launch onto the market in August this year followed years of research and development at headquarters in Rydalmere, Sydney, and leading solar expert Sean Box played a central role. He told Solar & Storage that the PowerStore was unlike any other SWH in Australia because rather than being connected to a stand-alone solar collector it taps into excess power from the existing rooftop PV system that would otherwise be exported to the grid to heat water gradually during daytime. The system comes with three major features, he explained: a two-stage heating process that sends solar power into the area of the tank where it is needed the most; triple-blade heating units using proprietary technology developed by Solahart allowing the draw of any amount of power from 0-3.6kW at any time; and temperature-sensing throughout the tank. “Essentially it’s a low cost battery,” Sean Box said of the system that is fully assembled in the Solahart/Rheem factory in Sydney.

50 SUMMER 2018

“This system benefits families as well as the electricity network by solving some of the issues with having too much renewables. PowerStore can be used in the aggregate to alleviate network problems.” To date 60 units have been sold with demand the strongest in Victoria, Queensland and NSW, however sales are picking up in Western Australia. Among the customers is a family on Sydney’s north shore whose 8.7 kW rooftop PV system is linked to the PowerStore. Anticipated annual savings in household power and hot water costs are in the region of $3500. “Customer savings depend on the size of their existing rooftop PV system and whether they use the PowerStore in conjunction with a home energy management system,” Sean Box said. “Time of use tariffs also impact economies. And for those relying on LP gas to heat household water this is an ideal opportunity.” We did mention the word evolution earlier. True to form Solahart’s industrious R&D team is dedicating time and focus to continuous product improvement, and the years ahead will bring many PowerStore iterations as well as cost declines. Given Solahart’s global reach the prospect of adding PowerStore to the export range is looking more than positive. www.solahart.com.au

INCORPORATING THE

AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST FREE SOLAR, STORAGE & SMART ENERGY EXPO

SAVE THE DATE

TUESDAY 2 & WEDNESDAY 3 APRIL 2019 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE SYDNEY The Smart Energy Council’s Smart Energy Conference and Exhibition 2019 promises to showcase the latest in projects and product innovation.

Renewable energy records are tumbling The PV market has hit a high – gigawatt records are tumbling Home energy storage is soaring and projected to hit new highs

The large-scale sector is booming across most states Progressive state governments are introducing incentives that are proving instrumental in the transition to energy independence and lower emissions

Innovation is all around us. Professional services and product improvements are delivering all-round quality that lends greater confidence to the solar sector

Come along to the Smart Energy Show 2019 and hear more from the innovators, investors, the regulators, the manufacturers and distributors who are steering the industry on its stellar trajectory.

A hall full of local and global exhibitors will showcase their products and services to the 6,000+ delegates expected at Smart Energy 2019. Smart Energy 2019 in all its forms is brought to you at no charge.

This is a FREE to attend event MAKE A DIARY NOTE NOW: Tuesday 2 and Wednesday 3 April 2019

“The pace of development in the smart energy industry is phenomenal, and so is the commitment by people right across the solar and storage industry who are delivering the very best in quality and standards. All the driving forces will gather at the 2019 show which promises something for everyone, and some sensational new highlights” John Grimes, Smart Energy Council

“Member promotion, networking and engagement remain core to our functions.” John Grimes, Chief Executive

Smart Energy Council The National Voice of Solar, Storage and Smart Energy THE SMART ENERGY COUNCIL is the peak industry body for the solar industry in Australia. We represent companies in solar hot water, large-scale solar thermal concentrating plants, solar PV (at all scales), solar passive design and energy-efficient materials. We also represent solar customers and consumers and provide advice to the federal and state governments the public, and commentary to the media. As a not for profit organisation we trace our history back to 1954 in Australia. The Smart Energy Council is committed to high-quality long-term solar and storage solutions. All profits are ploughed back into the industry for and on behalf of the industry.

Join the Smart Energy Council for brand placement and marketing, keeping up with competitors, alignment and credibility, market intelligence and networking, and professional and career development. Want to know more or to sign up? Contact Luke Shavak, Membership Sales luke@smartenergy.org.au, 0499 345 013 or for marketing enquiries contact Brett Thompson, brett@smartenergy.org.au, 0402 181 250 www.smartenergy.org.au

Our programs and services are extensive, they include: • Delivering Australia’s largest dedicated smart energy, solar and storage conference and exhibition

• News and updates delivered by a quarterly Solar & Storage magazine

• Advocacy, lobbying and driving industry campaigns

• Helping deliver state and national smart energy policy

• Professional development and webinars

• Continuing to improve quality and safety of solar and battery storage

• Industry training through the Smart Energy Training Centre • Networking events, roadshows and summits • Leveraging market intelligence and consolidating data

and fortnightly e-newsletter

systems • The Positive Quality program, Master Installers program, Installer directory, Battery finder, and Product directory

The Smart Energy Council is committed to clean, efficient and affordable smart energy solutions 52 SUMMER 2018

INCORPORATING THE

Solar, Storage and Smart Energy Events Solar Expo – A World Future Energy Summit Event

Middle East Electricity 2019

14-15 January 2019, Abu Dhabi, UAE www.solarexpo.ae

5-7 March 2019, Dubai, UAE https://www.middleeastelectricity.com

6th International Conference & Exhibition on Energy Storage & Microgrids in India

Solar Pakistan

22-23 January 2019, New Delhi, India www.esiexpo.in

12th International Photovoltaic Power Generation Expo 27 February – March 1 2019, Tokyo, Japan www.pvexpo.jp/en/

The 8th International Renewable Energy Exhibition & Conference 15 – 17 March 2019, Lahore, Pakistan solar@fakt.com.pk, www.solarfairpakistan.com

Large Scale Solar Europe Conference 2019

Smart Energy Conference and Exhibition 2019 2-3 April 2019, Sydney, Australia www.smartenergyexpo.org.au

19 – 20 March 2019, Lisbon, Portugal fmelas@solarmedia.co.uk, www.ireland.solarenergyevents.com

Solar Solutions Int. 2019 20 -21 March 2019, Amsterdam, Netherlands info@solarsolutions.nl, www.solarsolutions.nl

The Solar Show Africa 2019 26 – 27 March 2019, Johannesburg, South Africa Roschan.vanderHaar@terrapinn.com www.terrapinn.com/exhibition/solar-show-africa

MENA New Energy 2019 Book early to secure the best spaces and sponsorship packages. Contact Brett Thompson 0402 181 250 or brett@smartenergy.org.au

26 – 27 March 2019, Dubai, UAE rwatt@newenergyupdate.com www.events.newenergyupdate.com/mena/

Want to reach thousands involved in solar and storage?

GIVE BRETT A CALL DID YOU KNOW? Solar & Storage magazine is read by more than 20,000 industry professionals. Our readers include: PV solar designers and installers, large-scale solar project contractors, manufacturers & wholesalers, energy retailers, government representatives of all levels, trainers, consultants and industry thought leaders. If you would like to boost your presence among the smart energy community across Australia, contact Brett Thompson. Brett can also help you to highlight your brand at the industry’s leading show, the Smart Energy Conference and Exhibition, which takes place in Sydney on April 2 and 3, 2019. Due to unprecedented demand at residential, commercial and industrial-scale levels, the smart energy industry is advancing at a rapid rate. Brett is here to help more companies right across the supply and manufacturing chain to capitalise on more opportunities. INCORPORATING THE

54 SUMMER 2018

Contact Brett on 0402 181 250 or brett@smartenergy.org.au

INCORPORATING THE

Smart Energy Council Corporate Members For full listing of Smart Energy Council Members see www.smartenergy.org.au

PLATINUM MEMBERS

GOLD MEMBERS

SILVER MEMBERS

BRONZE MEMBERS AC Solar Warehouse

CleanPeak Energy

Freshwater Group

Keemin

REC Solar

Todae Solar

Acstone Energy Group

Clean Technology Partners

Fronius Australia

Lendfin

RedEarth Energy Storage

Unlimited Energy Australia

Amplitude Consultants

Clenergy

Future X Group

Metrowest Power Systems

Renewable Energy Traders Australia

Velocity Electrical

Apogee Energy

Crystal Solar Energy

global-roam

MO Energy

Reposit Power

Auspac Energy Technologies

CSA Services

Governance Insight

Natural Solar

Revolusun power

Velocity Energy

Austra Energy

DPA Solar

Greenbox Energy

Onsite Energy Solutions

Smart Renewables

Australian All Energy Solutions

Ecoult

Greenlink Solar

Optic Energi Australia

Solar Calculator

Aztech International

Edson Global

Grid Edge

Origin Energy

Solar Storage Australia

B&R Enclosures

Emerging Energy Solutions

Helios Renewable Energy

Orion

Solar Wholesalers

WINAICO Australia

Betta Batteries

Energy Smart Water.

I Want Energy

Q-Cells Australia

SolarQuotes.com.au

ZAPD Energy

BSA

Enervision Australia

Island Solar

QGE

Springers Solar

Zeromow

Circular Solutions

FlexiGroup

K&L Gates

Rainbow Power Company

SuperGreen Solutions

Victron Energy B.V. VRB Energy Westgen

Solar & Storage 55

Solar industry Positive Quality™ and performance THE SMART ENERGY COUNCIL’S Positive Quality™ program sets rigorous standards that ensure manufacturers who achieve and maintain high standards are singled out and recognised. Prominent panel maker Jinko Solar meets those high standards and proudly displays the Positive Quality™ logo, a symbol of manufacturing excellence, which sends a signal of confidence to consumers. Participating manufacturers are fully recognised, consumers enjoy peace of mind and the industry’s reputation is strengthened, delivering Positive Quality™ for all. Australian consumers and businesses can have confidence in the quality of the solar panels they are installing by looking out for the Positive Quality™ Trustmark. The Smart Energy Council developed the program because the generic appearance of panels makes it difficult to determine good from bad, unless an identification mark denotes otherwise. A logo that signifies superior quality. The Positive Quality™ program admits and endorses manufacturers that are independently tested and verified through plant visits. The initial assessment consists of a company’s entire manufacturing processes undergoing independent and intensive inspection and testing. This is carried out by the Smart Energy Council’s specially appointed Positive Quality™ specialists in a three step process: Certification check and compliance with IEC and Australian standards; Factory inspection with

By displaying the Positive Quality™ logo solar companies convey high standards in panel manufacturing to industry and consumers

a 60-point check; and a Product quality check: appearance, IV, EL, Hi-Pot, and leakage current. Positive Quality™ participants’ premises are then inspected at random every 12 weeks to ensure the continuity of those high standards. All solar PV manufacturers of high quality can participate.

Contact Positive Quality™ Manager Brett Thompson on 0402 181 250, email brett@smartenergy.org.au or visit www.smartenergy.org.au

SUMMER ADVERTISING CONTENT ADVERTISER Deep Cycle Systems

PAGE 35

Fronius

Outside Back Cover

Goodwe

Growatt

Inside Back Cover

WEB ADDRESS www.deepcyclesystems.com.au www.fronius.com www.goodwe.com www.ginverter.com.au

Harvey Norman

www.harveynormancommercialsolar.com.au

Imeon Energy

www.imeon-energy.com.au

LG Corp LONGi Solar

2&3 Inside Front Cover

www.lgesspartner.com http://en.longi-solar.com

Optimal Group

www.optimalgroup.com.au

Prosun

www.prosunsolar.com.au

Redback Technologies

http://redbacktech.com

Solar Juice

www.solarjuice.com.au

Solarwatt

www.solarwatt.com.au

SolaX Power

www.solaxpower.com

Sungrow

www.sungrowpower.com.au

Trina Solar

http://home.trinasolar.com

56 SUMMER 2018

INCORPORATING THE

/ Perfect Welding / Solar Energy / Perfect Charging

FRONIUS PRIMO SC.

MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY WITH THE MOST AMOUNT OF POWER. Fronius Primo SC: 5.0 kW

/ Developed for the Australian market, the Fronius Primo SC gives you the best of both worlds: maximum STC realisation thanks to a full 5,000W AC output, and maximised design flexibility thanks to two x 18A MPPTs. Buy one Fronius Primo SC from a Fronius Authorised Sales Partner from October 1 - December 31, 2018 and receive a free Fronius Smart Meter 63A-1. Visit www.fronius.com to find out more.