The theme emphasises the importance of the electric energy industry working cooperatively to develop a sustainable energy future.

Australia is facing the complex and mammoth challenge of making the energy transition successful and this requires connecting people—customers and communities, governments, regulators, and organisations to ensure successful outcomes for all. It’s all about joining forces to address this substantial challenge and ensuring that Australia’s energy needs are met.

During EECON 2024, spanning three days, attendees can expect:

• Engaging presentations from over 40 keynote and session speakers, covering a wide array of informative topics.
• Two insightful site tours to industry-relevant locations.
• A diverse gathering of over 300 delegates representing various facets of the electric energy sector from both Australia and overseas.
• Ample networking opportunities during session breaks, social events, and the conference dinner, providing attendees with the chance to connect with a broad spectrum of individuals involved in the energy industry.

These opportunities will provide attendees with valuable insights, knowledge, and connections to remain at the forefront of the dynamic energy industry landscape.

Energy Source & Distribution is proud to be a media partner of this highly anticipated national conference.

For more information or to complete an early bird registration, click here.

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The Time is Now report shows that there are opportunities within the distribution grid that can be unlocked and enabled now, to deliver more benefits for customers.

Related article: Champion of change: Dominique van den Berg

Energy Networks Australia CEO Dom van den Berg said we must look beyond the traditional role of distribution networks as just poles and wires.

“Findings show that if we act now to get the distribution grid doing more heavy lifting, customers can save around $160 per year and avoid $7 billion in overall system costs in 2030 alone. The nation will also be better positioned to achieve its 82% renewables target by 2030,” she said.

“We absolutely need to make sure we are pulling all levers. That includes keeping focused on the large-scale renewable projects and the vital transmission infrastructure we need to connect them. While we do that, it also makes good sense to do everything we can at a local level to bring down bills and provide more services to customers.

“We must get smarter with how we use existing infrastructure, how we maximise rooftop solar, how and where we store and manage it locally, and how we get more EV chargers in more places.

“There is a clear opportunity to get the local grid doing more of the heavy lifting in the energy transition and achieve greater savings for customers by 2030, but that window of opportunity is closing.”

The report calls for changes that can be delivered today through the right policy decisions, and fit-for-purpose regulatory settings. The recommendations include:

1. Link local energy hubs by linking locally-generated solar with unused capacity in the grid to operate as ‘local energy hubs’ for all the community to benefit from.
2. Amplify untapped solar opportunities by introducing incentives for large commercial properties to install more solar panels on existing rooftops and share it with the local community.
3. Soak up the surplus solar by having large batteries attached to the existing grid infrastructure so that local customers get the full benefits of solar and grid connected batteries.
4. Plug in more EV chargers by enabling networks to install and maintain kerbside (power poles) charging at pace to put more chargers in more places, ensuring an equitable rollout of chargers and reducing customers’ range anxiety.
5. Sync with the grid by connecting and coordinating all energy resources so that we better utilise our existing poles and wires, while maximising the benefits to customers.

The Time is Now features extensive modelling by independent experts L.E.K. Consulting. Modelling scenarios show that individual actions deliver customer benefits, but a combination of these actions would deliver even more benefits.

Related article: “Batteries on wheels”: EVs bolster power grid during blackout

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The appointment of globally renowned clean energy expert Professor Jonathan Love was announced at an industry event to launch the construction of the new Gladstone Hydrogen Central information centre that will be located at the University’s Gladstone Marina campus.

Related article: Queensland Govt approves massive Tarong West Wind Farm

As part of his new role as Stanwell Chair in Hydrogen, Professor Love will provide academic, research and strategic leadership to initiate, develop and steer a team of researchers to deliver knowledge and innovation to support the development of a thriving hydrogen and renewable energy industry, with a specific focus on the Gladstone region.

Stanwell CEO Michael O’Rourke said Queensland’s energy sector is undergoing a transformational change to a clean energy future, and renewable hydrogen has the potential to play a key role in this transformation.

“Renewable hydrogen can help achieve several objectives for Queensland, Australia, and our trading partners including domestic decarbonisation, economic transition, and new clean energy export markets for Australia,” he said.

“Stanwell is committed to driving the development of Queensland’s hydrogen industry and we are delighted to deepen our partnership with CQUniversity by funding the establishment of the Stanwell Professorial Chair of Hydrogen at CQUniversity.

“In his role, Professor Love will focus on applied research that supports advancing the hydrogen industry in Queensland, including our flagship project, the Central Queensland Hydrogen Project (CQ-H2).

Related article: Unis launch Australian Centre for Offshore Wind Energy

Professor Jonathan Love will work with industry partners and clean energy researchers across Queensland and says he is looking forward to building strong industry partnerships and further building CQUniversity’s credentials in hydrogen and renewable energy research and development.

“There are already so many exciting projects happening in the region, and I believe we have a real opportunity to establish a brand-new industry, create jobs and deliver a lasting legacy of economic growth through clean, reliable energy,” he said.

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The project is under construction and targets production of first ammonia from 2025 and lower carbon ammonia from 2026.

Related article: Woodside acquires US LNG group Tellurian

Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill said, “This transaction positions Woodside in the growing lower carbon ammonia market. The potential applications for lower carbon ammonia are in power generation, marine fuels and as an industrial feedstock, as it displaces higher-emitting fuels.

“This acquisition is a material step towards delivering our Scope 3 investment and abatement targets. Phase 1 has the capacity to abate 1.6Mtpa of CO2-e and with the addition of Phase 2 the Project has the capacity to abate 3.2Mtpa CO2-e, or over 60% of our Scope 3 abatement target.”

News of the acquisition comes after the WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)  rejected Woodside’s proposed Browse Gas project—Australia’s largest untapped conventional gas field located off the coast of the pristine Kimberley region in Western Australia.

Related article: Woodside leads carbon capture startup’s $10M capital raise

The EPA found Woodside’s proposal had unacceptable potential impacts on endangered Pygmy Blue Whales, the threat to endangered Green Turtles and the risk of pollution and oil spills at the highly biodiverse and fragile Scott Reef.

Only two other oil and gas proposals have been recommended against by the Western Australian EPA since the mid-1980s.

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Related article: Ark gets planning approval for Tasmanian wind farm

The 312MW Wimmera Plains Energy Facility is located 10km north-east from Horsham and includes up to 52 wind turbines connecting to an existing 220kV transmission line.

The project also includes a 100MW Battery Energy Storage system which can store up to 400MWh of dispatchable energy.

The project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, which is equivalent to taking more than 370,000 cars off the road each year.

Related article: Queensland Govt approves massive Tarong West Wind Farm

Plans include 52 wind turbines with a blade-tip height of 247m above the ground. Less than one hectare of native vegetation will be disturbed as a result of the project.

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Ark Energy general manager development for Tasmania Donna Bolton said, “The St Patricks Plains Wind Farm site is an excellent location for wind energy generation. Grid connection is onsite, residual environmental impacts can be managed and the wind resource is excellent.

Related article: Ark Energy withdraws plans for Doughboy Wind Farm

“This project will deliver much needed new renewable electricity generation to help Tasmania benefit from its world leading wind resource and achieve its renewable energy target, as well as bring a wide range of benefits for the local community and region.”

The St Patricks Plains Wind Farm has been in development since 2019 and has undergone several design iterations, including removal of 20 wind turbines to avoid environmental impacts, minimise visual impacts and address community concerns.

“We have worked hard to avoid and minimise potential environmental impacts, and the unavoidable environmental impacts are manageable, as shown by the EPA’s report,” Bolton said.

“The Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle has been a key species of focus. Proactive avoidance and the latest technology have been combined to achieve the least impact possible to Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagles. Major design revisions have been made to avoid areas used by eagles and the Identiflight curtailment system will be installed across the site to minimise collision risk.

“We will continue to seek to minimise environmental impacts, be a good neighbour to those around the project area, and work diligently to deliver benefits from the project to the local community and wider region.”

Related article: Italy’s Prysmian to supply HVDC cables for Marinus Link

Ark Energy will now consider the conditions issued with the permit approval and awaits a final decision under the EPBC Act from the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).

This is the first planning approval in Tasmania for Ark Energy and follows approval earlier this year for its 347MW Bowmans Creek Wind Farm to be located in the NSW Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone.

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ZEN Energy will supply SBS’s New South Wales and Victoria-based operations with 100% renewable energy over the next 10 years with Large-scale Generation Certificates (LGCs) uniquely paired with the 226.8MW Collector Wind Farm in NSW.

Related article: ZEN proposes 1GW Western Sydney Pumped Hydro project

SBS is the first Australian media organisation to switch to 100% renewable energy in FY23. This commitment will now be achieved over the long term through the 10-year agreement with ZEN.

SBS has set the most ambitious target of any Australian media outlet, to reach net zero across scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 2045. SBS has also partnered with Scope3 to measure emissions from advertising technology, affording advertising clients greater transparency of carbon emissions from their advertising campaigns.

ZEN was Australia’s first energy company to commit to the global Science-based Targets initiative for corporate action on climate change. SBS has also applied to have its net zero targets validated by the initiative.

RATCH-Australia’s Collector Wind Farm commenced full operations in 2021 and consists of 54 turbines collectively producing 528GWh each year, capable of powering 80,000 NSW homes and saving close to 320,000 tonnes of CO2 emission each year. The wind farm project has also involved an industry-leading community benefit sharing scheme.

Related article: Flow Power inks solar PPA with Asahi and BaptistCare

SBS head of sustainability Abigail Thomas said, “This 10-year agreement with ZEN Energy through wind power ensures that SBS’s commitment to carbon reduction is not just a short-term initiative but a long-term strategy.

“By securing a decade of 100% renewable energy, we are taking significant steps towards our net zero targets and demonstrating our dedication to sustainability efforts and innovation in Australia’s media sector.”

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The contract ensures the design, manufacture, supply and installation for Stage 1 of the Marinus Link interconnector project, a 750MW HVDC cable system.

Related article: Commonwealth agrees to fund 49% of Marinus Link

Marinus Link CEO Caroline Wykamp said, “Prysmian has proven and global expertise in delivering projects like Marinus Link.

“We have booked their most advanced cabling vessel—the Leonardo Da Vinci.

“Marinus Link will enable Tasmania to import excess supply of solar and wind produced interstate, while reserving its hydro and storing the extra energy. Clean hydropower can then feed the national grid when it is needed most, acting as a large battery for the nation.”

The project’s cables span 345km, with 255km undersea across the Bass Strait and 90km underground in Gippsland, Victoria.

It was recently announced that Hitachi Energy’s high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology has been selected to augment the connection between mainland Australia and Tasmania.

Related article: Hitachi Energy’s HVDC tech selected for Marinus Link

Marinus Link is a cornerstone project of the Australian Government’s Rewiring the Nation Plan and is classified as urgent in the Australian Energy Market Operator’s national energy plan.

The project is jointly owned by the Australian, Tasmanian and Victorian governments.

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The Australian Automobile Association’s EV Index shows there were more than 30,000 battery electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) sales in the second quarter of this year—the first time Australia has cracked that figure in a single quarter. The index shows that BEV/PHEV sales represented 9.6% of new light vehicles sold in Q2.

Related article: “Batteries on wheels”: EVs bolster power grid during blackout

Electric Vehicle Council CEO Samantha Johnson said, “Australia has never had so many electric vehicles on the roads. It was a record breaking quarter for combined battery and plug-in electric vehicle sales.

“The continuing strength of electric vehicle sales means Australia remains on track to hit the 100,000 EV annual sales target in 2024.

“These sales figures are without precedent, which is extremely encouraging given the broader economic pressures with high interest rates and the cost of living limiting people’s ability to purchase new cars.”

Johnson said the figures demonstrated Australians wanted more electric cars and governments must continue to provide support for electric vehicles.

“We have seen several states prematurely withdraw incentives—it is critical that governments implement targeted programs that enable more Australian households and businesses to make the switch to electric vehicles,” she said.

Related article: Australia’s first EV battery and charger factory takes shape

“Misinformation is also hampering the electric vehicle transition. The facts are that EVs are cheaper to own and run than ICEs, they reduce air pollution and they’re essential to reducing our carbon emissions.

“We need to see the EV market grow to meet our climate targets—the National Vehicle Efficiency Standard will play a vital role but there is much more that needs to be done to reduce the nation’s transport emissions.”

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State-owned Stanwell is working with global renewable energy developer RES to build the proposed 436.5MW wind farm 30km south-west of Kingaroy.

Related article: Ark Energy withdraws plans for Doughboy Wind Farm

The project will feature 97 wind turbines and produce enough clean energy to power the equivalent of 230,000 homes.

The SARA assessment considered an accommodation strategy for workers to ensure housing supply in the region will not be adversely affected.

SARA has worked closely with the Department of Resources to ensure that the development helps protect important areas of ecological significance including protecting up to 13.47ha of koala habitat.

Conditions have been imposed for offsetting impacts for up to 5.4ha of Koala habitat in addition to requirements to rehabilitate areas cleared during construction, to the greatest extent possible.

Construction is expected to commence from 2025.

Related article: Palmer Wind Farm gets go-ahead in South Australia

Stanwell CEO Michael O’Rourke said, “The Tarong West Wind Farm is a critical part of not only Stanwell’s plan to decarbonise our existing portfolio, but it’s critical to Queensland reaching its renewable energy targets.

“This development approval brings us one step closer to our aim of having 9-10GW of large-scale wind and solar capacity by 2035 and we are continuing to work with RES through the approval processes so we can bring this project to life.”

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HumeLink is a proposed 500kV transmission line that will expand the transmission network in New South Wales, and is an actionable project under the Integrated System Plan. The project will reinforce the grid, and provide electricity customers with increased access to generation and storage opportunities in Southern and Southwest New South Wales.

Related article: UGL and CPB Contractors to construct HumeLink West

AER chair Clare Savage said that after a rigorous assessment the regulator had accepted project costs that were $314.4 million less than what was originally proposed by Transgrid in its application—approving $3,964.8 million in capital expenditure compared with Transgrid’s proposed $4,279.1 million (later revised to $4,173.4 million after accounting for new information).

“While HumeLink is a complex project of national significance, we recognise that it affects landholders and local communities on the transmission route and impacts electricity bills,” Savage said.

“There has been considerable stakeholder interest in this project and a diverse range of views were put forward throughout our consultation process. We valued the input of all stakeholders and sought to balance the breadth of interests and feedback in our decision-making.

“We are conscious that this decision comes at a difficult time for energy consumers, with many customers facing challenges to absorb higher electricity prices in the current economic climate.”

Related article: GenusPlus AND Acciona JV win HumeLink East contract

The AER noted in its decision that it was critical for Transgrid to continue to engage with communities to achieve and maintain their support in delivering the HumeLink project.

Following the AER’s decision to approve reduced costs for Stage 2 of HumeLink, Transgrid will be able to deliver the remainder of the HumeLink project.

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One of the most significant achievements of the 26th United Nations climate conference in Glasgow (COP26) three years ago was the launch of the Global Methane Pledge. The goal is to reduce global methane emissions at least 30% by 2030.

Methane (CH₄) is the second most significant climate pollutant after carbon dioxide (CO₂). In the words of one of the architects of the pledge, then US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry, “tackling methane is the fastest, most effective way to reduce near-term warming and keep 1.5°C within reach”.

Australia signed up to the methane pledge in October 2022. It was a good start, but a promise is not a plan. To date, Australia has no official methane reduction targets, nor an agreed strategy to deal with this dangerous pollutant.

The Climate Council’s report, released today, sets out actions Australia can take right now to cut methane emissions. We need to get on with it.

Related article: Climate-friendly cows bred to belch less methane

Why should we care about methane?

Methane in the atmosphere is rising at a record rate: up about 260% since preindustrial times to a high not seen for at least 800,000 years.

Research just released shows if we don’t act, the problem will only worsen. It suggests increases in atmospheric methane are outpacing projected growth rates – threatening the global goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.

The gas is likely responsible for at least 25 to 30% of warming Earth has experienced since the Industrial Revolution.

Methane is a “live fast, die young” gas, persisting in the atmosphere for a relatively short amount of time. But while it’s there, it punches above its weight in warming. Over 20 years, methane is about 85 times more effective at trapping heat than the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide.

After 100 years, it’s still about 28 times more effective at trapping heat.

This means methane has an outsized impact on warming in the short term, turbocharging unnatural disasters such as floods, bushfires and heatwaves.

Where does methane come from?

Roughly half of global methane pollution comes from human activities. The rest comes from natural sources such as wetlands and soils.

Australia produces more than its fair share of methane because we have such large fossil fuel and agriculture industries. We are the world’s 12th largest methane polluter, producing four to five times as much methane as would be expected based on population alone.

In the year to December 2023, Australia produced nearly four million tonnes of methane. The main sources from human activity were agriculture (52%), fossil fuel mining (25%) and waste (11%). The good news is there are plenty of ways to reduce emissions in each sector that we can and should implement right now.

What can we do about it?

The largest source of methane emissions in agriculture is the burps of ruminant animals – mainly cows and sheep.

Promising research suggests each animal’s methane production can be cut by as much as 90% using daily feed supplements. These include supplements from the red seaweed Asparagopsis, and the chemical marketed as 3-NOP.

Other approaches to reducing methane emissions from animals also show promise. They include vaccines that target methane-producing microbes in their guts, methane-reducing pasture species, and selective breeding.

These solutions should be scaled up and farmers encouraged to use them—for instance, by being eligible for carbon credits under the Emissions Reduction Fund.

Providing consumers with point-of-sale information about the climate impacts of their food choices could also serve to reduce the nation’s methane emissions. And the market can be encouraged to develop clear regulatory pathways for securing approval of animal-free protein and other lower-impact foods.

More than 90% of our food waste ends up in landfill where it produces methane when it rots. Composting is much better for the environment. Investing in organic collection services for food and garden waste, and tightening regulations to capture gas at landfill sites, can address much methane pollution from the waste sector.

We can’t control what we don’t measure. Currently, methane emissions are largely reported to the Clean Energy Regulator using indirect and outdated methods. The International Energy Agency estimates Australia could be under-reporting methane emissions from the coal and gas sector by up to 60%.

Fortunately, new global satellite capacity and, in Australia, the Open Methane visualisation tool, mean we can measure methane at its source far more accurately than before.

The federal government should make all coal and gas corporations directly measure and report their methane emissions from existing mines, in line with international best practice.

Every coal mine and gas plant produces methane during mining and processing. While we work towards phasing out fossil fuel mining, a few practical actions can reduce methane pollution:

• require underground coal mines to capture and destroy the methane vented into the atmosphere
• ban all non-emergency flaring and venting of gas
• require all gas mining companies to address leaky infrastructure
• ensure mining companies seal inactive mines.

Related article: UNSW team creates synthetic methane using only sunlight

Time for action

Without concerted action, global methane pollution from human activities is expected to rise 15% this decade. On the other hand, meeting the commitments of the Global Methane Pledge can reduce warming in the next few decades.

If the goals of the pledge are met, we could shave about 0.25°C off the global average temperature by mid-century, and more than 0.5°C by 2100.

The federal government should establish a national methane reduction target and a dedicated action plan. This should be part of our updated national emissions reduction target, due to be set in 2025.

We can’t take our foot off the pedal in cutting carbon dioxide. But at the same time, in the words of United Nations head Antonio Guterres, we have to do “everything, everywhere, all at once”.

Disclosure statement: Lesley Hughes is a Director and Councillor with the Climate Council of Australia. She has previously received funding from the Australian Research Council. She is a member of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists, a Director of the Environmental Defenders Office and a member of the Climate Change Authority.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Related article: AVESS rebrands, reveals five-hour vanadium flow battery

Unicoh ESS Co Ltd will invest AUD$10.2 million to build a 500-tonne vanadium electrolyte sulfate manufacturing plant on a 24,235sqm site in South Korea’s Yeongil Port Industrial Complex Foreign Investment Zone.

The manufacturing plant is expected to create more than 60 direct jobs in Pohang City. The company is expected to invest AUD$4 million in Unicoh ESS Co Ltd to provide general working capital while strengthening its positioning in the global VFB market.

AVESS is now expected to pursue vanadium offtake opportunities with local vanadium developers to enhance Australia’s vanadium value chain.

AVESS Energy managing director Young Yu said, “The creation of Unicoh ESS and the signing of this vanadium electrolyte manufacturing MoU strengthens AVESS’ capabilities and positioning in the global vanadium electrolyte market, as we edge closer towards Australian-made vanadium batteries.

“Unicoh ESS comes at an exciting time as we synergise decades of complementary capabilities and expertise across the electrolyte space, while this MoU is another demonstration of our readiness to locally manufacture commercial-scale VFBs.”

Related article: Vanadium electrolyte manufacturing facility opens in WA

The global vanadium electrolyte market size is projected to be worth US$126.3 million (2023) and is expected to reach US$537.8 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 23% between 2023 and 2030.

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The scorecard is produced through AEMO’s work with market participants, as well as transmission and distribution network service providers (NSP) involved in the comprehensive connection process.

Related article: AEMO says renewables “the most efficient path” to net zero

AEMO onboarding and connections group manager Margarida Pimentel said, “Compared to the previous 12 months, the capacity of projects working through the connection process have surged from 30GW to 43GW.”

“Early-stage application approvals involving the NSP and AEMO have increased 74%, from 6.9GW to 12GW, and the typical duration reduced by one month, from 10.9 to 9.7 months.

“AEMO has helped reduce the time taken for application approvals through collaborating, specifically by addressing key design elements early in the process and using opportunities to split scope between the NSP and AEMO to reduce duplication of work,” she said.

Over the past 12 months, projects that have application approvals from their NSP and AEMO are taking longer in the ‘proponent implementation’ stage, the stage when contracts are established, and plant is constructed.

In FY24, 75% of projects completed this stage within 21 months, compared with 12 months in FY23. The volume of projects currently in this stage has been steadily increasing and is currently sitting at 15GW compared to 11GW a year ago.

These delays can be attributed to issues such as longer equipment lead times, refinancing, delayed contract execution and construction due to the limited resources available across a growing pool of projects, and changeovers in original equipment manufacturers.

“While both registration and commissioning has not changed significantly compared to last year, we are starting to see a steady increase in new package submissions for registration, close to 7GW compared to 1.5GW at the same time last year,” Pimentel said.

“On a positive note, there has been a significant decrease in the time projects are taking to progress through commissioning, with 75% of projects commissioned to full output within 6.9 months, compared to more than 11 months in June FY23.

Related article: AEMO’s grid forecast update warns of “energy gaps”

“Contributing to this is a new approach to commissioning AEMO is using with a number of projects, taking learnings from the Federal Government’s summer readiness program and industry-supported Connections Reform Initiative trials, which has helped reduce time taken for plant to reach full output,” she said.

During the month of June 24, four projects totalling 0.72GW received application approval, with the majority from battery projects (365MW), followed by wind (276MW) and solar plus battery (80MW).

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