Hey Reader, in today's edition: Energy ideas for Treasurer Chalmers AGL taps flexible generation The up and downside of data centres Beyond home batteries, poles and wires Treasurer Jim Chalmers is still three months away from handing down the 2025-26 federal budget in May, but industry and employer groups have already sent their wish lists to Canberra asking for big-ticket policy overhauls. Depending on the appetite for reform, there are some standouts that could help speed up the clean...
1 day ago • 6 min read
Hey Reader, welcome to The Energy's weekly data newsletter. This week we explore the tricky question of curtailment and what level means the market is working. Beyond efficient Curtailment of utility scale wind and solar energy in the National Energy Market hit record levels in the December quarter, and the queue of those offering to solve it grows ever longer. Yesterday The Energy featured the Australian Energy Market Operator’s assessment of how much latent capacity there is for rooftop...
2 days ago • 5 min read
Hey Reader, in today's edition: Tapping rooftop solar — for a price CER not well accounted for in the models Govt eyes home grown wind towers Mismatch on network costs coming to a head There's no doubt more capacity can be squeezed out of existing distribution networks as they learn to harness rooftop solar, but just how much and at what cost is hotly contested. The Australian Energy Market Operator’s Draft ISP reckons additional export capacity of 3.5 gigawatts can be found before network...
3 days ago • 9 min read
Hey Reader, in today's edition: Scrutiny for AEMO ESEM questioned for wind projects The 'age of electricity' AEMO review welcomed A move by state and federal energy ministers to review and potentially overhaul the Australian Energy Market Operator has been lauded as well-timed and overdue, as energy market dynamics reach unprecedented complexity. Up for scrutiny are AEMO’s corporate legal structure, which legislation should govern it, possible new ownership models that might reduce...
4 days ago • 9 min read
Hey Reader, welcome to The Energy Week, your chance to catch up on this week's most important energy news. Prefer to listen? Get The Energy Week on your favourite podcast platform. THE ENERGY WEEK • EPISODE 17 New year cash splash 05:40 MORE INFO This week's top energy news This week saw Australian governments splashing cash on long duration storage, reviving a hydrogen hub and subsidising EV loans. Capital In New South Wales, six new battery energy projects were successful in the latest...
6 days ago • 7 min read
Hey Reader, in today's edition: What's next for EV incentives? Energy hits interest rates AEMO to face review EV tax review moves ahead The government will be inundated with ideas on how to boost EV uptake when submissions to its Electric Car Discount Tax review closes later today. While the FBT exemption has been lauded for boosting demand, experts argue that more incentives are needed. With many divided on whether a tax break for salary workers is equitable, the focus now shifts to enabling...
7 days ago • 8 min read
Hey Reader, in today's edition: Solar recycling inquiry kicks off Six BESS projects underwritten in NSW Winning at Energy Tetris Govt inquiry targets national solar panel recycling guidelines As Australia’s adoption of solar pushes renewables’ contribution to the NEM past 50%, a darker question is waiting in the shadows: what to do when solar panels reach the end of their 25 to 30-year lifespan. The Clean Energy Council estimates that 1 million tonnes of solar panels will reach their end of...
8 days ago • 10 min read
Hey Reader, welcome to The Energy's weekly data newsletter. This week we explore the challenges with time of use tariffs as the market considers how it will deliver on the Solar Sharer promise. Fine in theory Energy policymakers have long cherished the idea of "time of use" and other smart tariffs nudging energy users in the direction of more rational use of their solar panels, batteries, EV chargers and grid power supplies. The argument is simple in theory and familiar, but difficult in...
9 days ago • 5 min read
Hey Reader, in today's edition: State Liberals embrace solar for renters Policy over politics for emissions Govt partners with car companies to support EVs Landlord solar incentives as political theatre All eyes are on Victoria’s Liberal opposition after South Australia’s Liberals, gearing up for an election on March 21, promised $20 million to help renters by incentivising landlords to install solar panels on rental properties. Echoing the newly implemented Queensland Liberals’ Supercharged...
10 days ago • 8 min read