Cooking up solar cells in a microwave oven
08 July, 2013Engineers at Oregon State University have determined that ethylene glycol, commonly used in antifreeze products, can be a low-cost solvent that functions well in a ‘continuous flow’ reactor - an approach to making thin-film solar cells that is easily scaled up for mass production at industrial levels.
GE and Downer partner to deliver $350m Boco Rock Wind Farm
28 June, 2013Consortium partners GE Australia and New Zealand and Downer EDI have been awarded contracts to work on stage one of the Boco Rock Wind Farm, providing engineering, procurement and construction services for the $350 million project.
Wind farm myth busted
26 June, 2013The myth that renewable energy is pushing up Victorian power prices has been busted after modelling showed that renewable generation actually puts downward pressure on power prices.
Wave power project to conduct seabed survey
25 June, 2013Professional Diving Services has been engaged to conduct a detailed seabed survey for the proposed 62.5 MW wave power station off the Victorian coast, which will be the largest of its kind in the world.
TasWind feasibility study to go ahead
25 June, 2013Hydro Tasmania has decided to proceed with a feasibility study for its proposed TasWind project on King Island after almost 59% of King Island residents voted in favour of the feasibility study proceeding.
Renewable Energy Master Plan receives industry support
13 June, 2013The City of Sydney’s new Renewable Energy Master Plan has been welcomed by both the Green Building Council of Australia and the Clean Energy Council.
Solar panels as cheap as paint?
28 May, 2013Researchers are using organic materials to develop a new generation of photovoltaic cells that produce more power and cost less to manufacture than what’s available today.
Renewables are the light at the end of the power-price tunnel
22 May, 2013Investing in clean energy will maximise the economic potential for gas exports and ensure energy affordability for domestic users, CEC Chief Executive David Green has told a power and utilities conference in Sydney.
Clean energy technology rocks
07 May, 2013Geodynamics has been hailed as the first company to successfully produce power in Australia using geothermal ‘hot rocks’ technology at its 1 MW Habanero Pilot Plant.
Solar discovery sets new record for low-grade silicon
07 May, 2013Solar engineers from UNSW have developed an innovative method to dramatically improve the quality of low-grade silicon, which will lead to a significant increase in electrical efficiency and reduce the cost of solar panels.
Safety alert for installers of PV systems
16 April, 2013The Queensland Electrical Safety Office has issued a safety alert to highlight the risks associated with direct current (DC) isolators used in solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. When terminating electrical conductors into isolators and circuit breakers, it is paramount that connections are secure under the terminal clamp especially where DC is involved.
Building an energy-efficient medical research institute
12 April, 2013The South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) is building a diamond-shaped facility designed to foster researchers’ creativity and productivity.
Call for mandatory disclosure of energy origins
10 April, 2013A recent study conducted by University of Technology’s Institute of Sustainable Futures (ISF), as commissioned by the Total Environment Centre, has highlighted the absolute lack of disclosure by Australia’s electricity retailers regarding the origin of energy sources.
1 million solar powered homes
08 April, 2013More than two million Australians are now getting cheaper power and saving some half a billion dollars a year on their electricity bills, because of their switch to solar energy, according to the Clean Energy Council. The number of Australian homes with solar power systems has passed the one million mark, according to figures from the Clean Energy Regulator that confirm the milestone was reached in March.
Despatchable solar energy
07 April, 2013Much has been said about the limitations of photovoltaic (PV) solar as an alternative energy source, given its inherent intermittent nature. PV solar has even been blamed for grid instability as well as pushing up the price of electricity. So what about a solar system that allows the utility to decide how much power it requires and when?
