The great gas disconnect: Why Australia needs a managed exit strategy for stranded gas network
RenewEconomy AU Policy ·
The burden of a dying gas industry must be shared proportionately between network investors, governments, and consumers.
Archive
17 July 2026
39 articles collected
Daily Snapshot
3 min read
Transgrid greenlights 900 MW of grid-forming batteries and two major storage projects gain approval as NSW accelerates its post-coal infrastructure build-out amid surging power prices.
AU 15 |Global 10 | Storage 9|Solar 7|EV 3
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Today's Signal
Australia is stuck in a vicious circle of diesel fuel dependence. Chinese electric trucks offer a way out
RenewEconomy AU Wind ·
Australia remains extraordinarily dependent on imported diesel to move freight and support much of its industrial economy. We should look to China for a new strategy.
Australia’s Transgrid opens pathway for 900MW of grid-forming battery storage as synchronous condenser costs surge 38%
Energy-Storage.News AU Storage ·
Australian transmission operator Transgrid has opened a pathway for 900MW of grid-forming inverter-equipped battery storage to contribute to New South Wales' minimum system strength requirements.
Australia’s New South Wales grants planning consent for 3.6GWh pumped hydro project at former coal mine
Energy-Storage.News AU Storage ·
Gloucester Coa has received planning approval from the New South Wales government for the 3.6GWh Stratford Pumped Hydro and Solar project.
Australia’s biggest coal port allowed to store big batteries as it transitions to major renewable gateway
RenewEconomy AU Storage ·
The Port of Newcastle has secured planning approval to host large-scale battery storage systems on-site. This regulatory milestone supports the facility's long-term strategy to pivot from its status as the world's premier coal export hub toward becoming a central logistics and infrastructure node for the Australian renewable energy sector.
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“Making the invisible visible:” New rules to hold networks to account for managing consumer energy assets
RenewEconomy AU Grid ·
The Australian Energy Market Commission has introduced new regulations requiring distribution networks to improve transparency and reporting regarding the integration of consumer energy resources. These rules aim to enhance grid planning and market fairness by holding providers accountable for how they manage small-scale assets like rooftop solar and household batteries.
Solar contractor files big claim against Shell over disputed cost overruns at Australian PV project
RenewEconomy – Solar AU Solar ·
One of biggest solar contractors in Australia has lodged a major claim against Shell Energy over disputed costs at a Queensland solar farm.
Wind, solar and storage remain cheapest new-build generation, says Lazard, despite rising costs
RenewEconomy AU Solar ·
Lazard’s latest annual analysis confirms that wind, solar, and energy storage maintain their status as the most cost-effective options for new-build power generation. Despite rising capital costs and shifting US policy pressures, these technologies continue to lead on a levelized cost of energy basis compared to fossil fuel alternatives.
Biggest ever turbines set sail for Australia, headed for Fortescue’s first wind project in Pilbara
RenewEconomy AU Wind ·
Fortescue has shipped Australia's most powerful wind turbines from China for its inaugural wind farm in the Pilbara. The delivery coincides with CEO Dino Otranto testing heavy-duty electric mining equipment, including a 150-tonne water carrier, as part of the company's decarbonisation strategy.
“This is waste-washing:” Waste-to-energy projects called out for being dirtier than coal
RenewEconomy AU Policy ·
A new report challenges the green credentials of waste-to-energy incinerators, asserting that these facilities produce carbon emissions comparable to or exceeding those of coal-fired power stations. The findings dispute the industry's classification of the technology as a clean or renewable energy source.
“It’s a really hard sell”: Why households want control of the solar and batteries they have paid for
RenewEconomy AU Storage ·
Social enterprise Indigo Power reports that convincing existing solar and battery owners to join virtual power plants remains difficult due to consumer desire for asset autonomy. The firm suggests that integrating VPP participation into initial hardware sales is more effective than retrofitting agreements for established residential systems.
Janus Electric lands another $45 million in contracts, taking diesel-to-electric truck conversion orders to more than 100
The Driven AU EV ·
Australian specialist in converting heavy trucks from diesel-to-electric lands another four big orders in the US from freight and port operators.
“We request Manchurian Pear trees:” NSW battery project approved after unusual request
RenewEconomy AU Storage ·
A newly approved big battery project faced just one, detailed objection, and it was able to meet many of the requests.
UK to introduce mileage-based EV tax from 2028, despite fierce opposition from electric car industry
The Driven AU EV ·
UK government confirms its proposed mileage-based electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED) will take effect from April 2028 with only a few changes to its original form.
Renault 5 E-Tech and Nissan Micra EVs win yet ever more prizes overseas … but why won’t they bring them to Oz?
The Driven AU EV ·
It really does leave one a bit bewildered why two established manufacturers won’t sell such popular overseas BEV models in Australia.
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Beyond the OCE
Germany awards 208 MW of solar in rooftop tender at average price of €0.097/kWh
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
Germany’s latest rooftop solar tender received 125 bids totaling 238 MW, with 108 bids representing 208 MW ultimately awarded contracts.
Kosovo breaks ground on 105 MW of solar
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
Construction of the first solar project to be awarded under auction in Kosovo is now underway.
Rise in solar module prices comes to a halt
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
European solar module prices stabilized in July following previous increases, supported by enhanced stock levels across most technology segments. While general availability has improved, supply constraints persist specifically for back-contact modules.
Italy’s solar capture price falls below market average in southern regions
PV Magazine GLOBAL Power ·
Rising photovoltaic generation in Southern Italy has pushed solar capture prices below wholesale market averages, threatening developer revenues. Industry experts anticipate this price cannibalization will intensify by 2027, necessitating a shift toward integrated battery storage and hybrid project models to maintain financial viability.
Sigenergy unveils AI-driven plug-and-play home storage system for PV retrofits
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
Sigenergy has launched the SigenMate 2700 Ultra, a modular LiFePO4 residential battery system designed for solar retrofits with an introductory European price of €999. The AI-managed unit offers up to 56.4 kWh of storage, instantaneous backup power, and Virtual Power Plant compatibility for home energy optimization.
Alfen, CATL to deploy 5 GWh of sodium-ion battery storage in Europe
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
Dutch energy storage company Alfen and Chinese battery manufacturer CATL have agreed to deploy 5 GWh of sodium-ion battery energy storage systems in Europe.
Sunrun, FranklinWH expand BESS virtual power plant capacity in California, Texas
Energy-Storage.News GLOBAL Storage ·
Sunrun and FranklinWH are increasing the capacity of their residential battery-based virtual power plants across California and Texas. The expansion targets enhanced distributed energy resource integration within these two major United States power markets.
EU ROUNDUP: Operators commission 682MWh of BESS in Germany, Estonia, Belgium, Denmark and Bulgaria
Energy-Storage.News GLOBAL Storage ·
European operators including RheinEnergie, BStor, and European Energy have commissioned five battery energy storage systems totaling 682MWh across Germany, Estonia, Belgium, Denmark, and Bulgaria.
Thailand needs ‘many regulatory reforms’ of electricity sector to catch up with ASEAN leaders on energy storage
Energy-Storage.News GLOBAL Storage ·
Thailand requires extensive regulatory restructuring within its electricity sector to facilitate energy storage adoption and integrate renewable sources. These reforms are necessary for the nation to remain competitive with leading ASEAN neighbors currently advancing in battery deployment.
Zelestra, EnBW sign agreement for 300MW Italian battery storage project
Power Technology GLOBAL Storage ·
Zelestra and EnBW have entered into a long-term tolling agreement for a 300MW share of a battery energy storage project planned in Emilia-Romagna, Italy.
On the Wire
Financial close achieved on Sol Systems’ 123MWac Peoria Solar Project
Power Technology GLOBAL Power ·
Sol Systems has secured financial close for its 123MWac Peoria Solar facility in Illinois, allowing the project to transition into the construction phase.
France faces grid bottlenecks, with 10% of territory already saturated
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
Around 10% of the country now faces grid constraints, prompting power distributor Enedis to plan 100 new substations by 2030 to support further renewable energy deployment.
Hithium on the European C&I BESS market and its need for a 4-hour solution
Energy-Storage.News GLOBAL Storage ·
Hithium is launching a specialized four-hour battery energy storage system to address shifting demand within the European commercial and industrial sectors. The integrated solution aims to meet emerging requirements for longer-duration discharge capabilities among private energy users.
NextEra, Dominion seek regulatory approval for proposed merger
Power Technology GLOBAL Power ·
NextEra and Dominion have filed applications with multiple regulatory bodies seeking approval for their proposed merger.
Pure DC plans $1.72bn AI data centre campus in Finland
Power Technology GLOBAL Power ·
Pure Data Centres Group has unveiled a €1.5 billion AI data centre campus in Seinäjoki, Finland, with capacity planned to scale well beyond 550 MW.
Behind CATL’s ‘zero degradation’ BESS technology
Energy-Storage.News GLOBAL Storage ·
We analyse recent details that have emerged on battery OEM CATL's zero-degradation BESS technology, which was first announced two years ago.
Qcells secures TÜV Rheinland certification for perovskite-silicon tandem solar tech
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
The certified devices were manufactured on the company's German pilot line, building on its record 28.6%-efficient tandem cell and ongoing efforts to scale mass production.
Alfen and CATL agree 5GWh sodium-ion BESS partnership in Europe
Energy-Storage.News GLOBAL Storage ·
System integrator Alfen and battery company CATL have struck a 5GWh partnership for sodium-ion BESS deployments in Europe.
Extreme heat impacts French nuclear
Power Technology GLOBAL Nuclear ·
EDF has temporarily closed three reactors in France and may reduce output at seven more due to the ongoing heatwave.
Austrian scientists testing foldable PV system with dual-axis tracking
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
TU Graz researchers have developed FLAPTrack, a dual-axis solar tracker that combines higher PV yields with automated weather protection by folding modules flat during storms.
Around Australia in an electric campervan: “We want to show that it can be done”
The Driven AU EV ·
In what could be an Australian first, one of the country's EV charging pioneers is setting off on a big lap in an electric campervan, with two key messages.
Entergy partners with MHI Group on road map to cut costs by 50%
Power Technology GLOBAL Power ·
Entergy and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop a strategy aimed at reducing the costs by 50%.
State launches electric heavy vehicle trial for logistics company – at no cost
The Driven AU EV ·
State launches free electric heavy vehicle trials to logistics and freight companies to give them the opportunity to experience electric transport in real world situations.
Xpanner introduces excavator-mounted automation tool to ease utility-scale installation bottlenecks
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
One machine, one button, one workflow: X1 automates repetitive panel handling so installation crews can focus on alignment, fastening, and quality.