Archived News for Energy Sector Professionals
Researchers at Monash University are investigating the use of a material called graphene, which could form the basis of the next generation of ultrafast energy storage systems.
Graphene is the result of breaking down graphite, a cheap, readily available material commonly used in pencils, into layers one atom thick. In this form, it strong, chemically stable, an excellent conductor of electricity and, importantly, has an extremely high surface area.
Dr Dan Li, of the Monash University Department of Materials Engineering, said these qualities make graphene highly suitable for energy storage applications.
Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources launched
The Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER) has been officially opened at the University of Newcastle.
EnerNOC acquires EnergyResponse
Electricity demand response company Energy Response has been acquired by US-based Enernoc for $28 million.
Solar roundtable focuses on large-scale projects
A roundtable day has been held in Canberra by the Federal Department of Energy, Resources and Tourism to discuss the future deployment of large-scale solar projects in Australia.
Queensland launches largest solar array
The Queensland State Government has announced the opening of Australia’s largest flat panel photovoltaic (PV) solar array.
SA geothermal project takes next step
Petratherm and its joint venture partners Beach Energy and TRUenergy Geothermal have begun fracture stimulation of the deep well at the Paralana 2 geothermal energy project in South Australia, a key step in proving that a geothermal reservoir can be created at deep levels.
Hays releases energy employment report
Demand remains high within transmission and distribution and in particular the primary and secondary substation design areas as large capital works programs create substation builds and upgrade projects, according to the latest Hays Quarterly Report, for the July-September quarter.
Energy Efficiency and Training Program to be developed for accountants
A new project between Macquarie University and CPA Australia will help accountants better measure and report on the energy efficiency of businesses.
The partner organisations were awarded a $241,139 competitive grant by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH), for the development of an Energy Efficiency Training Program for accounting and business management projects.
The program will consist of three courses that focus on training for practicing accountants with Small to Medium Enterprises and personal clients; training for accountants in improving greenhouse gas measurement and reporting in large energy users, and; developing dedicated sections on accounting and reporting for energy efficiency within undergraduate and postgraduate units at Macquarie.
Project manager Associate Professor Lorne Cummings of Macquarie’s Department of Accounting and Corporate Governance, said the initiative has enormous potential for enhancing energy efficiency within organisations across NSW.
“To be able to partner with CPA Australia, which has a membership in excess of 130,000 covering private, government and not-for-profit organisations across Australia and internationally, is just phenomenal,” he said.
“The OEH and NSW Government should be congratulated for their foresight and for tackling the issue in such a comprehensive way – looking at creating awareness and training accountants to measure and report on energy efficiency across the entire value chain process.”
Native forest biomass no longer renewable energy under carbon pricing
The Federal Government and the Greens have announced that the carbon price package prevents native forest woodchips being counted as a renewable energy fuel.
World record for solar technology
Researchers from UNSW’s Photovoltaics Technology Transfer Team, working with solar technology firm Centrotherm, have achieved a new world benchmark of 19.4 percent efficiency for a mass-produced, crystalline silicon solar cel, breaking the previous record of 18.9 per cent.
Clean Energy Council welcomes carbon tax
The Clean Energy Council (CEC) says the Federal Government’s carbon tax is a "once in a generation" opportunity for Australia to boost the renewable energy sector and transition to a low-carbon economy.
"The uncertainty surrounding this issue to date has stifled new investment and we look forward to the cleaner energy investment that this package will deliver," a statement from the industry body read.
Change of guard in energy and resources associations
Four peak energy and resources industry associations are currently recruiting chief executives.
$1.3 billion support package for coal industry
A $1.3 billion package has been announced as part of the Federal Government's carbon price plan to support companies with high levels of fugutive emissions in the mining process.
New energy efficiency measures announced under carbon price policy
A suite of new energy efficiency measures has been announced as part of the Federal Government’s plan for a clean energy future.
Energy Security Fund to support transition from high-pollution electricity generation
An Energy Security Fund is to be established that will fund the transition in the energy sector to less polluting energy sources.
ATCO to aquire Western Australian Gas Networks
ATCO has announced that it has signed a conditional agreement to acquire Western Australia Gas Networks (WAGN) from WestNet Infrastructure Group, the natural gas distribution utility company that serves the City of Perth and surrounding areas.
The terms of the arrangement will see ATCO acquire a 74.1 per cent interest in WAGN from WestNet Infrastructure Group through AET&D Holdings No 1 Ltd. ATCO will acquire the remaining 25.9 per cent interest in WAGN from DUET Group, giving ATCO 100 per cent ownership in the company. The asset will become a 100 per cent owned subsidiary of Canadian Utilities, an ATCO company.
ATCO Australia Managing Director Steven Landry said the acquisition is an excellent fit for ATCO's growth strategy to own and operate energy infrastructure in the rapidly expanding Australian market.
"The purchase of Western Australia Gas Networks builds upon our deep expertise in the safe, reliable and efficient transportation and distribution of natural gas to consumers," Mr. Landry said.
Energy innovation initiatives announced in carbon price policy
Three major energy innovation initiatives have been announced as part of the Federal Government’s carbon price package.
Greenearth Energy secures CO2 to fuel conversion technology licence
Greenearth Energy Limited has announced that it has successfully concluded negotiations with Yeda Research and Development Co. Ltd., the commercial arm of Israel’s Weizmann Institute of Science, for an exclusive, worldwide Research and Licence Agreement, which it will assign to an ultimate subsidiary company NEWCO2FUELS LTD (NewCo2Fuels), for a revolutionary technology that has the ability to convert CO2 emissions into fuel.
Surat LNG leads to deferral of Sunshine Coast and Gympie electricity upgrade
A proposed upgrade of the electricity transmission network supplying the Sunshine Coast and Gympie regions is being deferred by the Queensland Government-owned corporation, Powerlink, until 2019.
Renewable energy costs lower than expected
A technical paper released by the Melbourne Energy Institute has found that the costs of all solar and wind technologies have been overestimated in the development of Australia’s energy policies.