Australia

Smart Grids for the future – but what about today?

With the deployment of renewable energy technologies exponentially increasing annually, more resources are being allocated to all aspects of the energy sector. A multi-disciplinary approach is needed to identify what the major issues that networks will face over the next few decades in transitioning from fossil fuel based generation to cleaner, primarily renewable generation. The current belief by many is that future smart grids will provide the transmission, distribution and communication networks that will solve all the issues currently being raised by network operators.

Smart Grids for the future – but what about today?

With the deployment of renewable energy technologies exponentially increasing annually, more resources are being allocated to all aspects of the energy sector. A multi-disciplinary approach is needed to identify what the major issues that networks will face over the next few decades in transitioning from fossil fuel based generation to cleaner, primarily renewable generation. The current belief by many is that future smart grids will provide the transmission, distribution and communication networks that will solve all the issues currently being raised by network operators.

Cummins Power Generation powers Australia's greenest hospital

The project will  help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 45%.

CBD Energy to form joint venture with two Chinese firms

CBD Energy is finalising its joint venture with  China’s China Datang Renewable Power and Tianwei Baobian Electric.

Areva to boost Aussie power station by 44MW

Areva will construct a $110.17 million solar thermal addition to CS Energy's coal-fired Kogan Creek power station.

ADB helps Pacific nations reduce fossil fuel use

ADB will provide technical assistance of around $12.4 million for more efficient power use in Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu.

ABB to build $30M substation in Australia

ABB will build a $30 million substation to increase power supply and allow Rio Tinto to expand iron ore mining at Hope Downs mines in the Pilbara region.

The right size for future electric grids?

Interconnected electricity grids can be a variety of sizes but they all do the same thing: balance supply and demand at all times.

The four layers of Smart Grid Security

Globally one of the energy topics atop many electric utility executive’s minds is what we are all calling the “Smart Grid.” Of course what constitutes the Smart Grid can mean many different things from new digital meters on someone’s house to advanced Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) to new sensors on transmission lines and substations. Regardless of the exact deployment for an electric utility, a key consideration – something on my agenda every day – is the security of the Smart Grid deployment.

Can Australia keep its solar advantage?

As I write this in Sydney the Australian body politic fights a continuing battle over whether Australia will or won’t have a carbon tax and, if so, what form will it take and which sectors are to be fully or partly compensated. If it were not for a “hung” parliament, with neither major party having control on its own, there would be no question of such a tax or of a carbon trading scheme for the coming few years.

Asia-Pacific provides best growth opportunities for PV market

Asia-Pacific region holds the biggest sustainable, global growth opportunity for solar energy through 2015. This is Photon Consulting's prediction based on its soon-to-be released report entitled, “Solar Power Markets: Eastern Sunrise”. 

ABB drives halve energy costs at State Library of Victoria

Fifteen ABB low voltage alternating current drives have cut air conditioning and heating costs at the State Library of Victoria.

Australia to negotiate with energy firms on carbon tax

Australia will discuss carbon  tax impelmentation with energy producers. The government is yet to work out appropriate compensation measures for industry.

Second Wind's sales surge in Australia, NZ

Second Wind's presence in Australian and New Zealand wind energy markets more than doubled in 2010 as developers bought more Triton Sonic Wind Profilers. They also used the company's SkyServe satellite wind data service to view and analyze wind information.

Q-Cells CIGS, multicrystalline pass Australian desert conditions

Q-Cells delivered significant power output in some of the driest weather conditions in Central Australia.

Strong 2011 forecast For Australia's wind, solar sector

Australia will have high growth in wind and solar energy projects across the nation.

Australian power producers may issue $13B for projects

Australian power producers may issue as much as $13.2 billion in debt to finance new gas-fired plants and wind farms.

University of Queensland to develop geothermal power technology

The University of Queensland will collaborate with Verdicorp to develop next-generation geothermal turbine and power plant technology.